Andrea Horwath became Hamilton’s 58th mayor on November 15, 2022, the first woman elected to lead the city. Any fair assessment of her mayoralty should begin with the public voting record. That record shows a mayor who has often tried to balance progressive priorities with fiscal caution, sometimes siding with council’s left-leaning members, and at other times aligning with more budget-conscious councillors.
The clearest example is the 2026 budget. Horwath released a proposed tax budget with a 4.25 per cent residential increase, later finalized at 3.87 per cent after council’s amendment process. The City described the final budget as following Horwath’s direction to “hold the line” on affordability while continuing service and infrastructure investments.
Her votes during that budget process reveal the tension in her approach. Horwath opposed allowing the Hamilton Public Library to increase its budget by 5.25 per cent to maintain current service levels, a motion that passed 9–6. She also opposed increasing the City Enrichment Fund by $541,562, a motion defeated 4–11. Yet she supported adding $25,000 for Hamilton Farmers’ Market security and supported temporary continuation of blue box collection services for non-eligible properties.
On roads and transportation, Horwath’s record is not easily reduced to a slogan. In April 2025, she supported an amendment requiring further study of lifecycle costs, emissions, induced demand, and mode-share impacts related to Lincoln Alexander Parkway expansion. That amendment failed 6–9. But she also voted in favour of moving ahead with the public and stakeholder process for potential Linc improvements, which passed 13–2.
On environmental and planning matters, Horwath has at times sided with more regulation-minded councillors. In March 2026, she voted in favour of public consultation on a harmonized private tree by-law and related tree-protection measures. That item was ratified 8–5.
The overall picture is nuanced. Horwath’s record does not support a simple claim that she always votes with one bloc. On some issues, she has voted with councillors associated with progressive urban policy. On budget matters, however, she has shown a willingness to resist spending increases, even when those increases are supported by some of her usual allies.
That may be the central story of Andrea Horwath’s voting record: not ideological purity, but controlled pragmatism. Her supporters may call that responsible leadership. Her critics may call it cautious, inconsistent, or too managerial. What the record shows is that Horwath has governed less as a movement politician and more as a mayor trying to preserve room between public demand, council politics, and the pressure of rising taxes.
For voters, the question is not simply whether they like Andrea Horwath. The question is whether this record reflects the kind of leadership they want for Hamilton’s next four years.
Note: The Hamiltonian does not endorse any particular candidate for any office.
One has to remember the bad tiny home deal.No guardrails what so ever.No viewing over budget by millions SUSPECT DEAL,Not insuring computer system.followed when questioned by reporter.answer "We Own It"Pathatic answer.Huge impact on cost to tax payers.
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