What Hamilton’s Local Politicians Should Be Paying Attention To as Election Season Nears

As Hamilton approaches another municipal election cycle, voters are looking less at political branding and more at measurable results. The mood across the city is shifting: residents are paying closer attention, community expectations are rising, and the issues dominating local headlines are becoming harder for elected officials to sidestep. For those seeking office — or hoping to keep it — the message is clear: the public wants clarity, competence, and accountability.

1. Housing, Homelessness, and Social Pressures
   Hamilton’s ongoing challenges around homelessness, mental health pressures, and the affordability crisis continue to dominate public concern. The city’s slow progress on housing supply, shelter capacity, and coordinated social-service responses has created heightened expectations. Voters will be looking closely at who presents credible, actionable plans rather than broad assurances. Voters may be asking themselves whether mini cabins are where we want to be in terms of balancing housing needs with preserving the dignity of people. 

2. Taxes, Budgets, and Transparency
   With consecutive years of significant property-tax increases, residents are increasingly focused on how their money is being spent. Rising operational costs, major infrastructure backlogs, and previously delayed disclosures — such as the financial impact of the water-workers strike — have made fiscal transparency a central voter expectation. Candidates who cannot clearly communicate financial stewardship risk losing trust. Office holders will have to account for the cyber security breech and the ongoing damage fiscally and otherwise. 

3. Public Engagement and Accountability
   Trust in municipal governance remains fragile. Residents are paying more attention to how officials respond to questions, handle concerns, and communicate decisions. The era of generic statements and delayed replies is ending; voters want accountability from identifiable leaders, not faceless entities. Those who demonstrate open dialogue and responsiveness will be better positioned. Sanitized press releases that skirt the issues and say little, do not land well on The Hamiltonian. 

4. Transit, Infrastructure, and the Everyday Experience
   Whether it’s road conditions, transit reliability, or service delivery, residents are increasingly judging performance through their daily experiences. Delays or stalled initiatives — even when caused by external factors — are noticed. Politicians who articulate clear timelines, measurable steps, and consistent progress will stand out.

5. Leadership Presence and Credibility
   Perhaps more than any specific policy, Hamiltonians are evaluating leadership style: Are their representatives visible? Informed? Prepared? Engaged? With strong challengers emerging across several wards, incumbency alone is no longer a protective asset. Credibility must be earned — and maintained — through demonstrated action.

   And it is not only about politics. Hamiltonians are no doubt taking note of vulnerabilities in the city's administration;  For example, a City Manager who does not have a formal written performance contract, says a lot about a blind spot at City Council and with Mayor Horwath. 

Bottom Line

Hamilton voters are entering this election season with sharper expectations and a stronger desire for transparent, effective leadership. Local politicians who remain attentive to these priorities — and who communicate with clarity and purpose — will position themselves well for the months ahead. Those who overlook or underestimate the public mood may find the upcoming election less predictable than they hoped.

The Hamiltonian will be covering the election closely and will assess the work that Councillors and Mayor Horwath have been doing, or not doing. In the interim, here is a link to Star Wards. 

Hamilton Now

Transit expansion milestone

The new Confederation GO Station in East Hamilton opened train service on October 27, 2025, marking a key step in regional transit. The station offers an island platform, heated shelters and a drop-off area, and is part of efforts to connect the city more closely to the broader GO network. 

Why it matters: This opens up new commuting options for East Hamilton residents and signals the city’s commitment to transit upgrades. For local businesses and residents, it means changes to traffic, parking, and linkages to the broader region.

What to watch: How the station affects local transit ridership, neighbourhood parking pressures, and the integration of bus/rail services. Also, whether the promised improvements in service materialize on schedule.

Transit network redesign approved

Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) and the city have approved a major overhaul of the bus network under the plan known as “HSR Next”. The redesign moves away from a hub-and-spoke model toward point-to-point rapid routes including bus rapid transit (BRT) and proposes a light rail transit (LRT) line. 

Why it matters: For Hamiltonians, this means service patterns, stops, travel times and connectivity may change significantly beginning in 2026. Better transit can improve access to employment, reduce car dependency, and change neighbourhood dynamics.

What to watch: Implementation details (which routes change when), how the city ensures minimal service disruption during the transition, and whether costs stay on budget.

2026 Municipal Election on the horizon

The next municipal election for the City of Hamilton is scheduled for October 26, 2026. 

Why it matters: With an election less than a year away, residents, neighbourhood associations and candidates will begin defining key issues, policies and platforms. It’s a time for scrutiny of incumbents, promises made and fulfilled, and raising fresh issues. It is also time to compare behaviours of the city and its politicians, against past flaws; especially in the areas of transparency and truth telling. 

What to watch: Emerging candidate announcements, major issue framing (e.g. transit, housing, infrastructure, climate), campaign funding, and how promises are being carried forward (or not) by current office-holders. How candidates interact, or not interact in The Hamiltonian. 

In summary: Hamilton is entering a phase of transportation transformation and political renewal. The opening of the Confederation GO Station and the HSR Next redesign are concrete infrastructure shifts that will affect many residents. Meanwhile, the municipal election looming in 2026 means accountability is more relevant than ever — what officials say now will be judged soon.

Hamiltonians should be asking: Are we getting effective service improvements, or just expensive plans? Are the leaders running for re-election aligning their actions now with what they will promise later? Is the city really transparent, or is it a convenient slogan? And perhaps most importantly: How will these changes affect ordinary residents — especially those in underserved areas?

Beware The Door-to-Door Contractor

A word of caution from friend of The Hamiltonian, Bob Assadourian of Just Ask Bob

The costly fallout – both emotional and financial – from a pre-Labour Day weekend knock on the door of a Hamilton family will be featured on the next episode of Just Ask Bob, premiering December 1, 2025 on CABLE 14.

The Hamilton homeowners tell host Bob Assadourian that they fell prey to a man claiming he’d noticed serious problems on the roof of their home while working nearby.

“He told me my chimney could collapse on my neighbour’s car at any time,” says Mike, one of the homeowners.  “I can’t believe I did it, but I agreed to give him $5000 cash that first day.” Because of the situation, Just Ask Bob is only sharing first names. 

After the work started, the contractor reported additional problems with the home’s roof and said tens of thousands more would be needed to avoid a city inspector condemning the home.  Becoming skeptical, the homeowners called Assadourian for help when the workers fled after damaging the home’s natural gas meter with falling debris.

Assadourian says he’s been warning homeowners about the dangers of not doing their research for twenty years. “Rushing into a project will almost always result in problems,” he says. “Learn all there is to know about your particular home improvement or repair before engaging with any contractor.”

The long-time television host and professional contractor regularly reminds viewers to do their homework on his home improvement program, Just Ask Bob, which is now in its 10th season.  That includes asking for multiple references, checking the contractor is properly licensed and insured, and getting everything in writing.  Most importantly, he says never pay cash upfront.  “And don’t even get me started on anyone claiming to be a contractor who randomly knocks on your door!”  

Homeowners Mike and Becky say on the upcoming Just Ask Bob episode that they hope to save other families a lot of suffering by sharing their story. “We just want people to know that this is going around.  People are casing neighbourhoods to see who they can scam.”    

“They were threatening to put a lien on our house if we didn’t pay them right away,” Becky says. “But all they’d done is put a hole in our roof, a hole in our wall, and wrecked half my garden.”

Bob Assadourian has continually advocated for greater awareness of contractor licensing requirements, building knowledge, and homeowner rights over his more than twenty year career as both a contractor and media personality.  “Trust must always be earned,” he says. Bob is available for interviews and can speak to related issues around avoiding disaster renovations, contractor fraud, and the questions homeowners need to ask before agreeing to any work.

The 10th season of Just Ask Bob is currently airing on CABLE 14 in Hamilton and Haldimand, and on YourTV in Burlington and Oakville, with a new episode released the first Monday of each month.

For more information:

Episode Preview - Beware the Door-to-Door Contractor: https://youtu.be/OYs8l18vCSk

 CABLE 14 Bio: http://www.cable14.com/people/bob-assadourian

 Just Ask Bob Background: http://www.cable14.com/15212431/tv-shows/just-ask-bob

Councillor Pauls Breaks the Silence on Strike Transparency

After days of silence from City Hall regarding our request for comment on the financial disclosure of the ongoing water workers’ strike, The Hamiltonian has finally received the first and only reply — from Ward 7 Councillor Esther Pauls.

Councillor Pauls responded directly to our question asking whether she agrees that taxpayers are entitled to know the total cost of the strike to date, and what steps she has taken or will take to ensure this information becomes public.

Her response, published below in full, affirms her support for transparency and acknowledges the importance of public accountability:

“I understand that public transparency is important and think we should be fully transparent about the fiscal implications of the Public Works water strike.

Any time there is public disruption, taxpayers are affected, residents deserve reassurance that the City of Hamilton is managing the situation in a fiscally responsible manner. Doing so reinforces trust and measures the effectiveness of what we have spent on the impact on taxpayers.

We are currently exploring a comprehensive and a full disclosure report on this matter.

Kind regards,”

— Councillor Esther Pauls

Councillor Pauls’ remarks confirm three key points.

First, she explicitly agrees that transparency is both necessary and expected. Second, she acknowledges that taxpayers are directly affected and deserve clear information about how their money is being spent during this prolonged disruption. Finally, she states that the City is “currently exploring” a comprehensive disclosure report.

While her response is the first sign of engagement from an elected member of council, Hamilton residents may reasonably ask: When will this report be released? Who is responsible for delivering it? And will the City meet the level of transparency she supports in principle?

The Hamiltonian continues to be open to answers from the remaining councillors and from Mayor Andrea Horwath, however, their lack of engagement has already sent a troubling message to Hamiltonians. 

For now, Councillor Pauls stands alone as the only elected official willing to publicly address the issue. The question remains whether others at City Hall will follow her lead — or continue their silence.

Hats off to Pauls!

In addition, the City of Hamilton's Media relations department advises as follows: Staff are actively compiling a costing report outlining the financial impact of the labour disruption - the report will be presented to City Council at an upcoming General Issues Committee meeting before the end of 2025.

 

To Tell the Truth, Part II: Silence at City Hall

Earlier this week, The Hamiltonian sent a direct and simple question to every member of Hamilton City Council and to Mayor Andrea Horwath.

The question was not complicated, political, or rhetorical. It concerned one basic matter of public accountability: whether Hamilton taxpayers are entitled to know how much the ongoing water workers’ strike has cost the City to date.

We provided each councillor and the mayor with a clear link to our recent article, “To Tell the Truth,” which outlines months of unfulfilled commitments from senior city staff who, as far back as the summer, indicated that financial disclosure would be made public in October. October came and went. We are now well into November. No information has been released.

In light of that, The Hamiltonian asked each elected official two straightforward things:

1. Do you agree that taxpayers have the right to know how much this strike has cost so far?

2. What actions have you taken, or will you take, to ensure that this information is made public?

We set a reasonable deadline: end of day Friday, November 14, 2025.

As of the time of publication, not a single councillor — nor the mayor — has responded.

The silence is striking. This is not a question about confidential negotiations. It is not a question about personnel matters. It is not a question that jeopardizes the bargaining process. It is a question about financial transparency — a responsibility that rests squarely with those elected to represent the public interest.

It is worth recalling that the water workers’ union (IUOE Local 772/HOWEA) has put the city on notice that they will take legal action, if the city does not release this information. 

Not too long ago, the lack of transparency and  evasiveness related to the Red Hill fiasco and the polluted water disaster, proved to be pivotal factors in some councillors not being re-elected. There is a lesson to be had in that outcome.

Perhaps we are driving toward another game show metaphor: Truth or Consequences.

The Hamiltonian is not going away. We will continue to ask the tough questions and publish both favourable and unfavourable articles pertaining to the goings on at City Hall. 

Sometimes tough. Always fair. Hamilton's tastemaker.

The Hamiltonian

City of Hamilton’s 2025 Fraud and Waste Annual Report

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton’s Office of the Auditor General (OAG) completed its sixth Fraud and Waste Annual report and for the first time since its launch in 2019, there were more recoveries than losses.

A total of almost $502,000 has been recovered since the OAG’s last report. This is due primarily to the recovery of $417,000 related to a fraud included in last year’s report.

Between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, the OAG received 148 Fraud and Waste reports, with an overall substantiation rate of 32%. This is the second-highest volume ever.

Since the Fraud and Waste hotline launch, there has been an increased level of awareness by employees and management to report fraud, waste and whistleblower matters to the OAG.

“The Office of the Auditor General would like to acknowledge that in addition to the reports submitted by employees and management and the assistance provided to complete assessments and investigations, the OAG also receives reports from citizens” said Charles Brown, Auditor General. “Reporting these matters so they can be assessed and investigated increases the City of Hamilton’s transparency and accountability.”

Once again, through the Fraud and Waste Annual report, the OAG has brought forward an issue of conflict of interest (COI) situations that arise with employees of the City. Since the hotline was implemented, the OAG has investigated no fewer than 29 instances of COI and it continues to be one of the most persistent, serious, and time-consuming types of complaints the OAG receives and investigates, despite a new version of the Code of Conduct for Employees approved by Council in 2023.

As such, the OAG recommended to Council that senior leadership be directed to investigate new and improved methods to improve awareness among employees of what is a Conflict of Interest and how to report them, and to report back to the Audit, Finance and Administration Committee by May 2026.
Quick Facts:The Fraud and Waste Hotline launched in July 2019 as a pilot project and was made permanent by City Council in March 2023.

The hotline continues to provide the public, City employees, contractors and vendors with a convenient, confidential and anonymous tool to report suspicion or proof of wrongdoing.
The OAG has received 706 reports since the Hotline launched in 2019.

In its fourth year since inception, the volume of reports received was the highest ever, at 159 total.
The hotline also supports the City’s goal of managing instances of fraud and waste within the organization and operating with honesty and integrity.

The Fraud and Waste Report supports Responsiveness & Transparency, a 2022-2026 Council Priority.
Additional Resources:

Infographic: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Fraud and Waste Annual report
Web page: City of Hamilton Fraud and Waste Hotline
Web page: City of Hamilton 2022-2026 Council Priorities, Outcomes & Measures of Success

To Tell the Truth: Hamilton’s Transparency Test

“To Tell the Truth” — it was once a beloved game show built on truth-telling and deception. In Hamilton, transparency seems to have become just as elusive as that old television game.

The Hamiltonian, along with the Water Workers’ Union, IUOE Local 772/HOWEA, has repeatedly asked the City of Hamilton to disclose one simple fact: how much has the ongoing water workers’ strike cost the city?

Over the summer, city officials told both The Hamiltonian and the union that the information would be made public in October. October came and went. It is now mid-November, and despite several follow-up requests, the City has remained silent.

Let’s be clear: The Hamiltonian firmly believes Hamilton taxpayers are entitled to this information. We recognize that strikes cost money to manage — that is not in dispute. What is in dispute is whether the city has spent a reasonable amount or an excessive one. Without disclosure, there is no way to assess that.

For the record, The Hamiltonian is not aligned with IUOE Local 772/HOWEA. We have, however, been sympathetic to their position because we believe they have a legitimate and well-founded claim to a carve-out based on their specialized accreditation and unique value to the city.

This is not about taking sides. It’s about accountability. Hamiltonians deserve to know whether their local government is willing — or even able — to tell the truth about how much this strike has cost. Is transparency a genuine commitment, or merely a slogan used when convenient?

The Hamiltonian has learned that IUOE Local 772/HOWEA has now threatened legal action if the city continues to withhold this information. By refusing transparency, City Hall not only erodes public trust — it risks compounding costs through potential litigation, once again leaving taxpayers on the hook.

Does this sound familiar? Think of the Red Hill Valley Parkway scandal. Think of the contaminated water cover-up. Must Hamilton taxpayers once again bear the burden of secrecy and mismanagement?

The question now is simple: Will — or can — the City of Hamilton tell the truth?

The Hamiltonian believes this is more than a budgetary matter. It is a defining test — one that will reveal whether Hamilton’s civic culture is capable of honesty and transparency, or whether the corrosive habits of evasion have taken root so deeply that they simply can’t tell the truth anymore.

Hamiltonians deserve an answer.

What's Up at City Hall?

The city of Hamilton finds itself at yet another crossroad. Residents are voicing rising concern about safety, and at the same time the municipal leadership is pressing ahead with big policy moves on transit, housing and community well-being.

On the safety front, a public forum convened by city hall revealed that shootings and hate-motivated incidents are “top of public concerns,” particularly downtown and in the lower-mountain neighbourhoods. The fact that even municipal officials are asking for input on “making the city safer” signals the issue has moved from the margins to front-and-centre.

Meanwhile, the municipal leadership under Mayor Andrea Horwath is advancing on several fronts. One of the landmarks: the approval of the so-called “HSR Next” transit overhaul, a shift toward point-to-point bus rapid transit lines (and eventually a light-rail component) aimed at modernizing the city’s transportation backbone. However, as past debates show, transit remains a polarizing issue in Hamilton: cost overruns, ridership concerns, and neighbourhood impacts still resonate. Further, there is an ongoing sense of disillusionment.

Housing continues to loom large. Hamilton has declared a state of emergency tied to homelessness, mental health and opioid-related challenges.  That decision broadens city hall’s mandate to act more aggressively on housing supply, shelter space and wrap-around services. The political question will be whether the City can turn that emergency declaration into tangible outcomes — faster build-outs, better coordination, more permanent affordable units — without ballooning costs or significant push-back.

On the election front, Hamilton is gearing up for the next municipal vote in 2026. With that horizon in view, the 2025-26 cycle is already shaping up as one of heightened competition.  For incumbents and challengers alike, the key issues seem clear: public safety, affordability, transit, and how well city hall listens to citizens.

For the everyday Hamiltonian, here are three things to keep an eye on:

Safety policy and its delivery. Regardless of the rhetoric, neighbourhood residents will judge city hall and police services on visible outcomes: fewer shootings, safer streets, more trust. In short- measurables.

Transit change-management. The HSR Next plan will require service disruptions, cost management, and clear communications. If community buy-in falters, so will momentum.

Affordable housing follow-through. It’s no longer enough to declare emergencies. Execution, timelines, accountability and measurable progress will drive public support — or disillusionment.

In short: Hamilton is not sitting still. City hall is moving, and the electorate is watching. 

The crux of the matter, is whether City Hall and local politicians are to be believed. All the flag waving around transparency and the like is undermined by the City's continued refusal to be transparent- example, continued refusal to provide The Hamiltonian,  Hamiltonians and the water workers union with the costs of the WaterWorkers' strike.

We have recently learned the that union is so frustrated at the city's refusal to provide them with this information, that they are threatening legal action. 

Then there is the ongoing issue of lack of rigor- no formal performance contract for the City Manager, no will or perhaps ability to report on how many staff have performance agreements in place and no effort to rectify these issues.

With the election approaching, The Hamiltonian will continue to shine a light on the level of service and transparency that Hamiltonians are entitled to receive, verses the gaps. We encourage the Directing Minds of this city (The Mayor and Councillors), to reflect upon the fact that Hamiltonians do not suffer fools lightly. 

The Hamiltonian