As the municipal election approaches, we will be putting a consistent series of focused questions to all declared and prospective mayoral candidates. Responses will be published in full, providing readers with a clear and fair basis to compare positions over time. Where a candidate chooses not to respond, that will be noted for transparency.
We believe Hamiltonians are best served when they have the opportunity to consider the views of all those seeking to lead the city.
Our second instalment features mayoral candidate Keanin Loomis. This set of questions has been circulated to all known potential candidates.
We invite you to read our conversation with Mr. Loomis.
Jackson Square was once envisioned as a “people place” at the heart of Hamilton’s downtown. Today, it reflects mounting pressures tied to safety concerns, disorder, and declining commercial activity.
Do you believe Hamilton’s downtown—beginning with areas like Jackson Square—requires fundamental transformation? If so, what specific, actionable plan would you lead to restore safety, economic viability, and public confidence? How would your plan be different from others attempts Hamiltonians have seen in the past?
If you are in support of a concerted effort to transform Hamilton’s s downtown, what do you say to those who would argue that such an effort would take away from other priority issues in other parts of the city?
We’re early in our campaign, and in the coming weeks we’ll release clear plans on public safety, downtown revitalization, and homelessness to improve our downtown core. I know Hamiltonians care deeply about the challenges facing our downtown, and those voices will directly shape our platform. We’re committed to meaningful, two-way engagement—and we’ll share more on that soon.
Jackson Square, and downtown more broadly, should be the pride of Hamilton. It is alarming to see what is happening in the core right now.
Personally, I worked in Jackson Square for a decade. I kept our office downtown on purpose because I believed in it and felt we were on the cusp of something great. I also know the team there. I’ve had many conversations with them over the years, and I know their commitment to the property and to this community.
But we have to be honest about where things stand today. We’ve seen random acts of violence, including murders, and that has shaken us all. I’m hearing directly from businesses facing unsustainable futures and struggling to retain staff. It’s unacceptable that retail workers and mall security are put in the position of managing the mental health, addictions, and homelessness crises. They shouldn’t be carrying that responsibility.
We have a serious problem, and fixing the downtown must be a top priority. Hamilton needs a mayor who will step up and champion the core.
I disagree with the current mayor’s suggestion that this is simply about changing retail trends and the evolution of malls. What Jackson Square is facing goes far beyond what other malls are dealing with. That framing misses the reality on the ground—and what businesses and workers are experiencing every single day.
We’re also seeing a new downtown revitalization plan come forward, but in my view, it risks being too little, too late. We need to be proactive as a city. We should not be waiting for challenges to reach a crisis point before acting.
A strong downtown is a win for the entire city. When the core works, everyone benefits. It should be a destination for Hamiltonians from every neighbourhood and beyond. Our downtown should command some of the city's highest property values, not the lowest. That’s how we grow our tax base and reduce our over-reliance on residential property taxes.
I will take a much more collaborative approach than we’ve seen in the past—working with council, businesses, and the community to ensure our downtown core reaches its full potential.
Thank-you Mr. Loomis for engaging with Hamiltonians in The Hamiltonian. To read a prior piece featuring Keanin Loomis, click here
Jackson Square, and downtown more broadly, should be the pride of Hamilton. It is alarming to see what is happening in the core right now.
Personally, I worked in Jackson Square for a decade. I kept our office downtown on purpose because I believed in it and felt we were on the cusp of something great. I also know the team there. I’ve had many conversations with them over the years, and I know their commitment to the property and to this community.
But we have to be honest about where things stand today. We’ve seen random acts of violence, including murders, and that has shaken us all. I’m hearing directly from businesses facing unsustainable futures and struggling to retain staff. It’s unacceptable that retail workers and mall security are put in the position of managing the mental health, addictions, and homelessness crises. They shouldn’t be carrying that responsibility.
We have a serious problem, and fixing the downtown must be a top priority. Hamilton needs a mayor who will step up and champion the core.
I disagree with the current mayor’s suggestion that this is simply about changing retail trends and the evolution of malls. What Jackson Square is facing goes far beyond what other malls are dealing with. That framing misses the reality on the ground—and what businesses and workers are experiencing every single day.
We’re also seeing a new downtown revitalization plan come forward, but in my view, it risks being too little, too late. We need to be proactive as a city. We should not be waiting for challenges to reach a crisis point before acting.
A strong downtown is a win for the entire city. When the core works, everyone benefits. It should be a destination for Hamiltonians from every neighbourhood and beyond. Our downtown should command some of the city's highest property values, not the lowest. That’s how we grow our tax base and reduce our over-reliance on residential property taxes.
I will take a much more collaborative approach than we’ve seen in the past—working with council, businesses, and the community to ensure our downtown core reaches its full potential.
Thank-you Mr. Loomis for engaging with Hamiltonians in The Hamiltonian. To read a prior piece featuring Keanin Loomis, click here
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