With Mayoral Contender Derek Cordeau

Derek Cordeau has indicated his interest in runny g for Mayor of Hamilton. He positions himself as a grassroots candidate grounded in lived experience rather than traditional political pathways, framing his candidacy around responsiveness to everyday realities facing Hamilton residents. Emphasizing collaboration over confrontation, he presents a vision of municipal leadership focused on practical outcomes, stronger transparency, and restoring public trust in local government. His platform centers on addressing core urban pressures—housing affordability, public safety, infrastruct

Here is our interview with Mr. Cordeau:

You describe yourself as “not a politician” but a concerned citizen. How do you translate that identity into the practical realities of governing a complex city bureaucracy and working with council?

Being a concerned citizen is that I live in the realities of the everyday ongoing situations of our city. I'm directly connected  with what our residents are dealing with and not political theoryI want to work hard with our city council and rely on the city staff to make sure their work focuses on what the residents need. I personally want to believe that everyone wants to be there for the same reason I do and that is to do what is best for all of Hamilton. I understand that this is a process and will take time to learn but I am very quick to adapt and know that this will involve communication and finding ground that we feel is best for all communities within our city, I'm not here to tear it down I just want to make it better not by fighting council but to ensure we work together to get results the residents can actually see.

You emphasize being the “voice for those who have been unheard for years.” Who specifically are those groups in Hamilton, and how will you ensure their voices influence actual policy decisions rather than remain symbolic?

I specifically speak for the growing numbers of residents who have to make the decision to either have a roof over their heads or food in their stomach, for some it's much worse than that our housing crisis is a massive ongoing issue with more people affected everyday. The small business owners affected by the drug crisis. The thousands of drivers who share our deteriorating roads, which desperately need repair. The disabled who require additional assistance. The school board and the educators who lack funding having to make due with less than the bare minimum. Families who want to use recreation centers and our arena facilities closing down. Also hoping to bring subsidized sports programs for the families the funds to pay for sports and or don't have accessibility to travel to Stoney Creek and Ancaster as all children should have equal opportunities to be included regardless of where they live.

You reference tackling these issues such as homelessness and open drug use “with compassion.” How do you balance compassionate approaches with enforcement, particularly in areas where residents are demanding stronger public safety measures?

My compassion is with local business owners and employees including patrons of establishments who's well-being is being affected by the amount of people slumped over and or in a drug fueled state of mind being unpredictable in nature putting the public safety at risk on a daily basis across most of the city. I feel we need to use more enforcement to combat open drug use as it's remained an ongoing growing epidemic of society. I want to focus on treatment facilities rather than safe usage sites because it's only further influencing continued drug use and we need to focus more on rehabilitation rather than enabling.

Hamilton has faced criticism in the past regarding transparency (e.g., major infrastructure and governance issues). How would your administration prevent similar breakdowns in public trust?

Currently I feel the entire city has little to no trust within our current municipal Council, consistent broken promises with all talk and almost no action. We need to build that trust with open arms for the entire city to know which projects are in place and breaking down to see if the budget is actually being balanced to see where the funding is going. We need to understand why timelines aren't being met, or why projects are almost 10 years past their projected completion timelines and why we are still investing. My administration will want the people to know where our tax dollars are disappearing to.

How would you differentiate your approach from other declared or expected candidates in this race, particularly those with established political or executive experience?

My approach stems from passion that this city has and that I have for Hamilton we have one of the most beautiful cities in the world and to many of us, citizens and abroad Hamiton Is and always will be home. I differentiate myself as someone with everyday Hamilton life experience, I am easily adaptable. I do not have any political or executive experience but what I have seen is that those who do make promises and don't actually produce any results and if they have I would like to see in detail what has been results in regards to making a better city. I am community driven and want to focus on bettering all of our many communities and regions ensuring safety for all residents. Unfortunately the conditions I see on a daily basis walking through the community is not the bright light it once was, constant frustration within me when nothing is being done. There are daily and nightly thefts, open drug use and growing violence, not to mention our roads have deteriorated and need much more work than filling a pothole. When was the last time you could take your kids to a park? The library? It truly hits me emotionally how sad and detrimental it has become to use public spaces without having to be concerned for safety. I myself would work hard to build and maintain a good relationship with the city council to provide action that our city can be once again proud to say I am from Hamilton.

Thank-you Derek for engaging with Hamiltonians, in The Hamiltonian!