By The Hamiltonian Editorial Team
Hamilton is no stranger to long-serving municipal politicians. Some have remained in office for decades, gliding through election cycles with little substantive challenge. While institutional knowledge and experience can benefit governance, unchecked tenure risks calcifying power and eroding the democratic vitality that municipal leadership depends on.
Consider Councillor Tom Jackson, who has represented Ward 6 since 1988. While many residents hold his dedication in high regard, more than three decades in public office raises a fair and necessary question: Should any one individual preside over the same elected role for this long?
And Councillor Jackson is not alone. In the most recent municipal election, Hamilton voters witnessed the departure—voluntary or otherwise—of several long-serving councillors. This electoral shift signalled a growing appetite for renewal. Yet the underlying issue remains: without term limits, the system allows—and often encourages—lifetime political tenure.
A common argument against term limits is that elections themselves serve as the ultimate democratic mechanism: if voters desire change, they can simply vote an incumbent out. In theory, this is true. In practice, however, the playing field is far from level. Incumbents enjoy formidable advantages: name recognition, media familiarity, access to resources, and, often, the benefit of a disengaged electorate. Ever notice how potholes are patched, parks are cleaned, and newsletters are mailed with urgency— during election season?
Low voter turnout further compounds the problem. Municipal elections typically suffer from abysmal participation rates, and contests are often won not on bold vision, but on inertia. The longer someone holds office, the harder they become to unseat—not due to merit, but because the system subtly shields them from true competition.
Municipalities across North America have recognized this dynamic. In the United States, nearly all major cities—including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and San Francisco—impose term limits on mayors and councillors, usually capping service at two or three consecutive terms. Even Mexico, once bound by an inflexible prohibition on re-election, now permits municipal officials to serve up to two terms before stepping aside.
Canada, by contrast, is an outlier. No Canadian municipality, including Hamilton, imposes term limits. Under current legislation, municipal politicians may serve indefinitely. And many do.
This is not an indictment of individual councillors. It is a systemic concern. Long tenure, regardless of intent, can lead to policy stagnation, insular networks, diminished transparency, and weakened public trust. It discourages diverse voices from emerging and reinforces the perception that municipal politics is a closed circle rather than a public trust.
It is also worth noting a troubling correlation. Many of the councillors who declined The Hamiltonian’s invitation to participate in a recent outreach initiative—designed to provide a platform for them to share their goals and perspectives—are multi-term incumbents. Councillor Jackson and his office, despite multiple contact attempts, did not respond at all. Communication barriers cannot be cited, as our requests were sent through multiple channels. Was his silence rooted in complacency? A sense of entitlement? Indifference toward a civic media platform? It is difficult to say when no effort is made to engage.
Term limits are not punitive—they are protective. They safeguard the spirit of democratic service by ensuring that elected office remains a temporary privilege, not a lifelong possession. Term limits foster urgency in leadership, innovation in policy, and fairness at the ballot box.
Democracy does not thrive when power is hoarded. It thrives when it is renewed, shared, and ultimately passed on.
We will end this piece by celebrating those Councillors and Mayor Horwath, who have take the time to share their thoughts and leadership with The Hamiltonian, to the benefit of Hamiltonians.
Here is our list with links:
Ward 2 – Cameron Kroetsch
Ward 3 – Nrinder Nann
Ward 4 – Tammy Hwang
