| Bonus question: If LRT goes ahead, what will you do to ensure Hamilton receives the maximum benefit? |
Yes |
It's going ahead! I would like to see a plan in place before it's built to show how The HSR and the LRT will integrate, how efficient the connections to GO will be. |
| Global warming is an existential challenge facing humanity. Do you think Hamilton should play a role in addressing climate change? If so, what should the city be doing? If not, why not? |
Yes |
Climate Change will not only affect us but future generations as well. There's no reason, with today's technology, we should still be polluting the way we are. Of course Hamilton should play a role. We've come a long way already and we have to continue enforcing our emission standards and hold polluters accountable.
|
| Do you support improved public transit in Hamilton? If so, what changes do you propose? If not, why not? |
Yes |
Yes, our transit is decades behind. The LRT and a transit plan to connect the entire city will bring development and business. After the LRT is built, we have to look at an North South line continuing all the way up the maintain and with easy access to the Airport. I would like to see a mountain transit hub and improved connections to Ancaster Business Park, Red Hill Business Park and the Airport.
|
| Should Hamilton be trying to attract more young people to live, work and start businesses here, including the 60,000 students studying at Mohawk College, McMaster University and Redeemer University? If so, what should we be doing? If not, why not? |
Yes |
Yes, we absolutely need to attract a younger population. We have to keep our University and College grads here. The future depends on people coming to the area to build the future of the city. We need programs to encourage small business development and a qualified workforce to attract new businesses to Hamilton. Companies will come here if we have the talent they are looking for. We have to build to attract a younger population. Recreation, shopping, culture, food and improving and keeping our nature areas like trails, waterfalls and waterfront is key to attracting a younger population. Schools are also important, young families want a good school system if they will raise a family here. |
| Do you support the "Vision Zero" goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Hamilton? If so, what specific actions would you take to implement this policy? If not, why not? |
Yes |
Yes to Vision Zero. It's a proven concept. I will push to reduce speeds, look at rerouting trucks from residential areas and make safer cycling and pedestrian routes. Everyone has to be accountable for road safety, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. I think we need better education, more visible signage and an updated compressive traffic plan across the city which includes getting more people out of vehicles and onto transit.
|
| Do you support phasing out area rating for transit? Why or why not? |
Yes |
Yes, I would like to see gradual tax increases over time to match rural population growth and increased transit to match that. More transit funding is also necessary.
|
| Hamilton has been experiencing a slow-motion crisis in housing affordability. Do you support an expanded role for the City to provide more affordable housing? If so, what should Hamilton do? If not, why not? |
Yes |
Yes, I support more affordable housing. We should encourage building affordable housing on city owned lands, e.g. land acquired for the stadium, repurposing buildings and develop them for housing. Hamilton has to improve transit and accessibility right across the city which will allow affordable housing in other areas. this issue seems to be concentrated in the lower city. |
| Hamilton has a legacy of multi-lane, one-way arterial streets dating back to the 1950s. Do you support accelerating the conversion of these streets to two-way? Why or why not? |
Yes |
We shouldn't have any one way streets. It's an outdated concept which causes congestion and restricts traffic flow.
|
| Council has voted dozens of times since 2008 to advance Hamilton's light rail transit (LRT) project, including voting to submit the plan with a full funding request to the Province in 2013, and voting to accept full funding and implementation from the Province in 2015. Do you support completing the LRT plan? Why or why not? |
Yes |
Yes, we needed the LRT 10 years ago. It will bring business and development, infrastructure upgrades, create jobs and encourage people to move here.
|
| The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act mandates that cities must be completely accessible by 2025. What changes would you make to ensure Hamilton complies with this mandate? |
Yes |
I believe we are well on our way to achieving this. I think we should continue to plan and make sure we are in compliance. the city has to be able to work with owners of older existing buildings to be sure we meed the 2025 mandate. |
| Since the 1950s, most new residential and commercial development in Hamilton has been single-use suburban sprawl. Do you believe Hamilton needs to concentrate new development within the already-built area? Why or why not? |
Yes |
Yes, we should have new development right across the city. There is still significant single use development happening mostly on the outskirts. I think condo developments will bring people to the city and it should happen in both the lower city and on the mountain. |
