Before the Ballot: The Candidate’s Guide - Fundraising That Works in a Municipal Race

One of the most uncomfortable realities for many first-time municipal candidates is this: campaigns cost money. Even modest races require signs, printed literature, digital tools, event materials, and operational expenses. Without a fundraising plan, campaigns quickly become constrained—not just financially, but strategically.

In Hamilton’s municipal environment, successful fundraising is less about large-scale donor networks and more about organization, credibility, and consistency.

Start fundraising earlier than feels comfortable. Many candidates delay fundraising because they feel awkward asking for support. That hesitation can create early disadvantages that are difficult to recover from later. Campaigns need resources at the beginning—not just at the end. The strongest municipal campaigns begin outreach shortly after registration opens, while momentum and interest are highest.

Begin with people who already know you. Early fundraising usually comes from personal and

Common Sense, Different Directions: The Ward 7 Race

Hamilton’s Ward 7 race is shaping up as one of the more philosophically distinct contests in the 2026 municipal election. Incumbent Councillor Esther Pauls and challenger Mark Daly are presenting voters with two markedly different visions of leadership, governance, and municipal priorities.

Both candidates speak directly to frustrations around taxes, deteriorating infrastructure, public safety, and confidence in City Hall. Yet the tone, emphasis, and political instincts behind their responses reveal important contrasts that may ultimately define the race.

At the heart of Pauls’ campaign is continuity, visibility, and constituent advocacy. Her responses consistently frame herself as a hands-on councillor deeply embedded in the day-to-day realities of Ward 7. She emphasizes years of relationship-building, accessibility to residents, and persistence in advancing projects she believes improve quality of life — from the Inch Park All Abilities Playground to road rehabilitation efforts, Macassa Lodge expansion, and affordable housing developments.

Pauls positions herself as an experienced municipal operator who already understands the machinery of City Hall and can “hit the ground running.” Her rhetoric leans heavily into themes of public safety, support for police services, opposition to certain taxes, and skepticism toward what she sees as

Before the Ballot- With Ward 7 Candidate and Incumbent Esther Pauls

Welcome to this instalment of Before the Ballot featuring Ward 7 candidate and incumbent, Esther Pauls.

Looking back on your current term, what accomplishments are you most proud of in Ward 7? Please elaborate.

Hamilton has seen a lot of changes and challenges since my first term started in 2018. I’ve stood my ground on the collective views that Ward 7 residents have asked me to represent, whether it be putting an end to encampments in parks, steadfast support for the Hamilton Police Service whose job keeping residents safe is increasingly more dangerous and demanding, pushing for road rehabilitation and increased safety, and making Ward 7 parks the very best they can be. These things take tenacity and time to bring to fruition and don’t happen overnight. But as I look back at where things were when I started in 2018, I’m grateful for the progress we have made in Ward 7, with the City’s help and with the involvement of Ward 7 residents.

I’m excited about two new affordable housing complexes opening soon (one in late fall of 2026 and the other opening next year).

As Hamilton’s senior population increases, Ward 7’s Macassa Lodge refurbishment and additional wing offers 64 more beds to some of our city’s most vulnerable.

Everyone knows I’m deeply passionate about park enhancements, and of all the park improvements I’ve championed, I’m especially proud of Inch Park’s All Abilities Playground which will be ready this year. Children of all ages and physical abilities will be able to enjoy this park as a community space they all feel safe and supported in. Children whose physical abilities may prevent them from enjoying other area parks will be able to play and enjoy this park. I don’t know of any others like it anywhere in the Niagara area.

Looking back on your current term, what things do you wish had gone differently? Please elaborate.

I definitely wish we’d been able to reallocate funds to our roads in greater amounts and sooner – Hamilton infrastructure is overdue in overhauls! I think this past winter has made that fact more obvious than ever.

There are several taxes that have been imposed upon residents that I was surprised got passed. While I voted against these taxes, knowing the increased financial burden they would place on people already

Before the Ballot- With Ward 7 Candidate Mark Daly

Welcome to this instalment of Before the Ballot featuring Ward 7 candidate Mark Daly

What motivated you to run for council, and why do you believe now is the right time for new leadership in your ward?

It was never my plan to run for City Council, but after the last several years of dramatically rising taxes, deteriorating roads and infrastructure, and too little accountability at City Hall, I decided to put my name forward as a candidate for Ward 7.

I have lived in Ward 7 since 1995 and raised my family here. I spent 34 years in Catholic education, including 14 years as a secondary school principal. In that work, I was responsible for managing budgets, leading large teams, solving problems, and making difficult decisions that affected students, families, staff, and the broader community. I believe I have the experience, ability, and energy to help get Hamilton back on track.

My decision to run began right here in Ward 7, driving on Hamilton roads.

In June 2024, my wife Rowena made custom cupcakes for the graduation class at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School. She asked me to drive carefully so the cupcakes would arrive intact. Driving from our neighbourhood near Limeridge and Upper Sherman, we could barely get above 40 km/h because

Taking it to the limit? Hamilton’s Latest Development Charge Gamble Raises a Bigger Question: Who Is Really Paying for Growth?

Hamilton council’s decision to increase its development charge exemption from 20 per cent to 24 per cent may appear, on the surface, to be a relatively modest adjustment designed to position the city for access to billions in provincial and federal infrastructure funding. But beneath the policy mechanics lies a much deeper and more politically significant question: who should ultimately bear the cost of Hamilton’s growth?

Council’s move reflects the increasingly difficult balancing act municipalities across Ontario now face. On one hand, senior governments are aggressively pressuring cities to accelerate housing construction and infrastructure expansion. On the other, municipalities remain heavily dependent on property taxes and development charges to fund the very infrastructure growth requires — roads, sewers, fire halls, transit, recreation facilities, and water systems.

Hamilton is now attempting to thread a narrow political and financial needle: appear sufficiently “pro-development” to qualify for outside funding while avoiding the perception that taxpayers are subsidizing private-sector profits. That tension was visible throughout council’s debate.

Supporters of the exemption framed the decision as strategic positioning. Councillor Brad Clark’s “pay to play” characterization reflects a growing municipal reality in Ontario: cities increasingly feel compelled to align themselves with provincial housing priorities to remain competitive for infrastructure dollars. In many respects, municipalities are no longer merely governing communities — they are competing in an intergovernmental funding marketplace.

The challenge is that the public often hears two seemingly contradictory messages at the same time:
• developers say projects are becoming financially unviable;
• municipalities say they desperately need development charges to pay for growth.

Both statements can simultaneously be true. The development industry is facing genuine pressures. High borrowing costs, softening condo demand, rising labour costs, material inflation, and market uncertainty have slowed projects across Ontario. Hamilton is not immune. If projects stall, housing targets become harder to achieve, construction employment weakens, and broader economic activity slows.

At the same time, municipalities cannot simply waive billions in infrastructure-related revenue without consequences. Roads still need widening. Pipes still need replacement. Emergency services still need expansion. Someone pays eventually.

That is why Councillor Nrinder Nann’s concern deserves particular attention. Her warning about normalizing exemptions year after year goes to the heart of long-term municipal sustainability. Temporary incentives can quickly become politically difficult to reverse once industries begin pricing them into future expectations. The broader issue may not actually be Hamilton’s decision itself, but rather the structural dysfunction of municipal finance in Ontario.

Cities are being asked to solve national housing affordability problems using local tax tools that were never designed for challenges of this scale. Municipalities possess limited revenue powers, yet are increasingly expected to absorb responsibilities tied to housing, homelessness, transit expansion, infrastructure renewal, climate adaptation, and population growth.

The result is predictable: councils are forced into uncomfortable tradeoffs where every option carries political and financial risk.

Mayor Andrea Horwath’s remarks about all three levels of government attempting to solve the same problem point toward an important reality. The housing crisis cannot realistically be solved by municipalities alone, nor can cities fully fund the infrastructure needed to support rapid growth without meaningful and sustained provincial and federal partnership. 

Still, skepticism from councillors like Alex Wilson reflects a legitimate public concern. Residents who already feel strained by rising property taxes may reasonably question why additional concessions are being extended to developers without guaranteed returns in affordability, housing starts, or infrastructure outcomes.

Ultimately, Hamilton’s vote is less about four per cent than it is about the evolving role of municipalities in Canada’s housing economy. Cities are increasingly being asked to function simultaneously as regulators, infrastructure providers, economic stimulators, housing accelerators, and fiscal shock absorbers — all while relying primarily on property taxes. 

That model may be reaching its limits.

More Than Coverage: The Hamiltonian’s Emerging Role in Election Season

As Hamilton’s municipal election season begins to take shape, local civic discourse is increasingly being shaped not only by traditional media outlets, but also by independent community-based platforms that have carved out a dedicated and highly engaged readership.

Among them is The Hamiltonian, a volunteer-driven civic publication that has steadily expanded its presence within Hamilton’s political and community landscape through candidate interviews, issue analysis, opinion pieces, and accountability-focused reporting.

While municipal elections are often influenced by ground campaigns, endorsements, and voter turnout operations, political observers note that independent local media play an important role in shaping public conversation — particularly among engaged voters, volunteers, donors, neighbourhood advocates, and community leaders who often influence broader discussions within the city.

Unlike provincial or federal campaigns, municipal elections frequently turn on relatively small margins, making issue framing and public perception especially significant.

Over the past several months, The Hamiltonian has launched a number of election-focused initiatives, including its “Before the Ballot” series examining campaign strategy, governance, communications, and leadership. The publication has also begun engaging directly with declared and prospective candidates through policy questions and feature interviews.

The response from candidates themselves suggests that local independent media is becoming an increasingly relevant part of Hamilton’s political ecosystem. Some campaigns have responded quickly and thoughtfully to Hamiltonian outreach efforts, recognizing the importance of engaging with community-based audiences and alternative civic platforms. The who haven't are incurring risk.

Political communication experts often note that influence in municipal politics is measured by the level of engagement and connectivity among readers. In Hamilton’s case, highly engaged residents — including neighbourhood leaders, advocacy groups, volunteers, faith communities, and politically attentive citizens — can have an outsized impact on public opinion and voter mobilization.

The Hamiltonian’s growing role reflects a broader trend occurring in many municipalities across Canada, where independent digital platforms are helping fill gaps left by shrinking traditional local newsrooms.

At the same time, with greater visibility comes greater responsibility. Maintaining fairness, factual accuracy, professionalism, and editorial neutrality will remain essential for any publication seeking to contribute constructively to civic life and democratic engagement.

As Hamilton moves closer to the 2026 municipal election, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: local political conversations are no longer shaped exclusively by legacy institutions. Community-driven civic media platforms are now part of the conversation — and, in some cases, helping define it.

The Hamiltonian- Hamilton's Tastemaker

Mayor Calls for Hamilton Youth Wellness Hub Amid Growing Concerns Over Youth Violence

In the wake of ongoing concerns surrounding youth violence, mental health, addiction, and social isolation in Hamilton, Mayor Andrea Horwath has announced a new push for the creation of a Hamilton Youth Wellness Hub.

In a public statement released following a recent council decision, Horwath said Hamilton has been forced to confront “very real and difficult conversations” over the past year regarding the struggles facing young people in the city.

The mayor referenced recent incidents of youth violence and discussions held through Hamilton’s Community Safety Summit, where families, educators, frontline workers, community organizations, and youth themselves voiced concerns surrounding mental health, trauma, addiction, and disconnection.

“One thing has become very clear: we need to do more for our youth,” Horwath stated. “Too many young people are carrying struggles they shouldn’t have to carry alone.”

Council has now approved a motion requesting that the Province of Ontario establish a Hamilton Youth Wellness Hub in partnership with local youth-serving agencies and community organizations.

According to the mayor’s statement, the proposed hub would provide a centralized and accessible space where youth could obtain support services without barriers. The vision includes access to:
Mental health and addiction supports
Peer support programs
Education and employment resources
Community-based services and outreach

The proposal comes at a time when concerns over youth safety and violence have intensified across Hamilton, particularly following the recent fatal shooting of a teenager inside Jackson Square.

While the Youth Wellness Hub proposal focuses primarily on prevention and intervention, it also reflects a broader shift in civic discussion toward addressing root causes rather than relying solely on enforcement measures.

Horwath emphasized that Hamilton already has “incredible organizations, advocates, youth workers and community leaders” doing important work, and said the goal is to build upon existing community efforts rather than duplicate them.

The initiative will ultimately require provincial participation and funding to move beyond the motion stage into implementation.

The proposal is likely to receive broad support from many social service advocates and community organizations. However, questions may remain regarding timelines, funding commitments, measurable outcomes, and how such a hub would integrate with existing services already operating across the city.

For many Hamiltonians, the conversation increasingly centers not on whether supports are needed, but whether governments at all levels can move quickly enough to respond to escalating concerns involving youth vulnerability, violence, and community safety.

The mayor’s motion represents another indication that Hamilton’s response to youth violence is evolving beyond policing alone and toward a more integrated social and public health approach.

Whether the Youth Wellness Hub becomes a transformative long-term investment or another well-intentioned proposal awaiting provincial action may depend on what happens next.

Before the Ballot- The Candidate's Guide- The Essential Components of a Campaign Team

Many first-time municipal candidates begin with a message, a few supporters, and a sense of momentum. What they often discover quickly is that campaigns are not sustained by enthusiasm alone. They are sustained by structure.

Even smaller municipal races require organization, coordination, and clear roles. The strongest campaigns are not always the biggest or best funded—they are the ones where responsibilities are understood, communication is disciplined, and execution is consistent.

A campaign team does not need to be large. It does need to function.

The campaign manager: the operational centre

Every serious campaign benefits from having one person responsible for keeping the operation moving. The campaign manager coordinates scheduling, priorities, volunteers, timelines, and decision-making. They help ensure the candidate is spending time where it matters most. Without this role, campaigns often become reactive—pulled in too many directions at once.

The communications lead: controlling the message

Municipal campaigns live and die on message discipline. Whether it is a press release, social media post, interview response, or printed literature, the campaign should sound consistent. The communications lead helps shape that consistency. They manage messaging, media relations, digital tone, and often prepare the candidate for interviews or debates. In today’s environment, where one poorly worded post can become a distraction, this role carries significant value.

The field organizer: building the ground game

Someone needs to organize canvassing, volunteer shifts, literature drops, and voter contact. That responsibility usually falls to a field organizer or volunteer coordinator.

This role is about execution:

– Which neighbourhoods are being covered?
– How many volunteers are scheduled?
– Are supporter lists being updated?
– Are follow-ups happening?

Campaigns that neglect this function often mistake activity for organization.

The fundraising lead: sustaining momentum

Campaigns require resources—signs, literature, websites, advertising, and event costs all add up quickly. A fundraising lead helps coordinate donor outreach, fundraising events, and contribution tracking. Just as importantly, they help ensure fundraising remains compliant with municipal election rules. Strong fundraising is not simply about money. It signals support, seriousness, and organizational stability.

The compliance and finance role: protecting the campaign

This may not be the most visible role, but it may be one of the most important. Ontario’s municipal election rules include requirements around contributions, spending limits, and financial reporting.

A campaign that ignores compliance creates unnecessary risk. Someone must be responsible for:

– tracking donations,
– monitoring expenses,
– maintaining records,
– and ensuring deadlines are met.

Administrative discipline is part of campaign credibility.

The volunteer team: the campaign’s public face

Volunteers are often the people voters meet first. Their professionalism matters. Campaigns should take the time to train volunteers on messaging, conduct, and voter interaction. A respectful, organized volunteer operation reflects positively on the candidate. A disorganized one does the opposite.

The policy and research support role

Candidates do not need a large policy operation, but they do need someone helping verify facts, develop proposals, and prepare briefing materials.

This support becomes especially important during:

– debates,
– media interviews,
– and responses to emerging issues.

Preparation reduces the likelihood of preventable mistakes.

The candidate: leader, communicator, and stabilizer

The candidate is not separate from the team—they are part of it. Their tone often becomes the tone of the campaign. Candidates who remain calm, organized, respectful, and disciplined tend to create stronger campaign cultures around them. Those who become reactive or inconsistent often create instability throughout the operation.

The importance of role clarity

One of the most common municipal campaign problems is overlap without accountability. Everyone assumes someone else is handling something important.

Clear roles prevent confusion:

– Who handles media calls?
– Who tracks lawn signs?
– Who schedules canvassing?
– Who responds to volunteer questions?

Campaigns that answer these questions early operate more effectively under pressure.

A final note

Municipal campaigns are often portrayed as highly personal efforts—and they are. But they are also operational exercises requiring structure and coordination. Candidates who build even a modest but disciplined team give themselves a major advantage. In Hamilton’s increasingly competitive municipal environment, organization is no longer optional. It is part of what voters interpret as readiness to lead.

 

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