Terri Wallis, Candidate for Ward 2 in Hamilton Municipal Election 2014 - Raise the Hammer Elections

In This Page:

Candidate Details
Responses to Questions

Candidate Details (top)

Name	Wallis, Terri
Election	Hamilton Municipal Election 2014
Area	Ward 02
Party	N/A
Votes	0
Email	terriw@bell.net
Website	http://www.terri4ward2.com
Home	905-522-6541
Business
Fax
Bio	Hi Ward 2, I have lived in this lovely ward for 14 years, moving here in September of 2000. I was born in Montreal, grew up in Ottawa where I worked in professional theater. I attended Niagara College in Welland, lived in North York, and then moved to Mississauga to be a caregiver to my mother. After she passed away peacefully I came to Hamilton. I live in an apartment with my cats Reilly and Willow, and my pet rats Amelia and Clara, named after two Doctor Who companions. I am an artist, specializing in watercolor and airbrush. In the summer I sell my paintings at the James St. N. Art Crawls. As an athlete I am a goalie. I play sledge hockey for Hamilton and was on Canada’s National Woman’s team for several years. I have played Hamilton Challenger baseball (for players with disabilities); earned a 2nd degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate, trained in Wado Kai karate, and enjoyed Taoist Tai Chi to relax. Of all the places I have lived Hamilton is where I am happiest. I am pleased to say that I am on the newly formed Business Improvement Area Association GO ON Accessibility Advisory Committee. Currently I sit on the Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities (ACPD) for the City of Hamilton for 8 years. As well, I am on the Transportation Subcommittee, Chair of the Built Environment Subcommittee and was on the Integrated Standards Subcommittee until it was disbanded. It is because of a report on inaccessible HSR bus stops that I presented to the Public Works Committee that bus stops around the city are being redesigned to be accessible. I also played a part in the removal of two dishonest and irresponsible accessible taxi cab drivers from the streets. I have been on the Accessibility Advisory Committee for Metrolinx for many years. During this time I participated in several working groups and appeared in an educational video about GO station and GO train accessibility. I hold the position of Disability Rights’ Representative on both the Federal and Provincial Hamilton Centre NDP Riding Associations, and have been a member of both for over 10 years. I have worked on many NDP election campaigns as a voter contact organizer and volunteer coordinator. As a phone canvasser I have probably spoken the most of the voters in ward 2 during these campaigns. I have also worked on municipal election campaigns, gaining experience as a Campaign Manager. I was on the Board of Directors for Freedom House, a non- profit organization that attempted to build a completely Barrier Free housing project in the downtown area of Hamilton.

← Back to Candidates

Responses to Questions (top)

Question	Brief Response	Full Response
Do you support an expanded role for Hamilton to provide more affordable housing? If so, what should Hamilton do?	Yes	Absolutely. Hamilton needs to repurpose unused buildings for affordable and/or accessible housing suitable for individuals, couples, families and seniors with and without disabilities.
The Province has shelved a proposal to build a mid-peninsula highway from Niagara Falls or Fort Erie around Hamilton to connect with Hwy 401 or 407 north of Burlington. Do you agree with the Province's decision to put its development on hold?	Yes
The City's Cycling Master Plan is up for review. Do you support improving the plan to speed the installation of cycling facilities and provide more high-quality protected infrastructure like the new Cannon Street cycle track?	Yes
The Province plans to allow municipalities to use ranked ballots in future elections. If so, will you vote to adopt ranked ballots in Hamilton?	Yes
Do you believe City Hall should be more accessible to Hamilton residents? If so, what steps would you take to achieve this?	Yes	I strongly believe that City Hall should be completely barrier free for all who need to access it, with automatic doors on Council Chambers, automatic locks on accessible bathroom doors, contrasting tape or paint on the ends of railings and the top of steps outside. Work done by City Council and Staff should also be accessible to those who want it. Transparency and accountability are also important here.
Do you believe Hamilton should do more to protect and enhance its built heritage?	Yes
Do you support converting more of Hamilton's one-way thoroughfares into complete, two-way streets that support walking, cycling and transit?	Yes
Do you support implementing a Vision Zero for Hamilton, with a goal of eliminating all pedestrian and cyclist deaths on our streets? If so, what specific actions would you take to implement this policy, and if not, why?	Yes	While I do not think it is possible to eliminate all deaths I think it is a good goal to aim for. I think we need better designed and safer sidewalks, more bike lanes, more cross walks and slower speed limits in some areas of the city.
Do you support the use of participatory budgeting to allow ward residents to propose and vote on local capital projects?	Yes
Do you support the city's plan to build an east-west light rail transit (LRT) line with full capital funding from the Province?	Yes