| 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 |
We absolutely need to look at ways to increase density in our core. Denser housing is more cost effective. The cost of running extra sewer, and other utility lines, roads and servicing them to urban sprawl is not efficient. |
| Bonus question: If LRT goes ahead, what will you do to ensure Hamilton receives the maximum benefit? |
Yes |
I will go over the designs thoroughly to ensure we have dealt with any issues that might arise from the system. As well, I will discuss any issues by talking to those affecting along the route. |
| 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 |
I think we should play a role. I think better monitoring of air quality from our factories is needed, as well, we need to encourage more people to start using less polluting methods of transportation such as cycling and, walking and public transit. |
| Do you support improved public transit in Hamilton? If so, what changes do you propose? If not, why not? |
Yes |
I do support improved public transit. I think a better Hamilton app to help find the schedule would help as well, we need more buses on the streets, especially for North/South travel. |
| 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 |
Definitely. I am a graduate of McMaster and have chosen to stay in the city. I would like to work at mentoring young graduates and help create opportunities for them in Hamilton. |
| 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 |
I do support this. As a father of two young girls that ride bikes on the road regularly and someone that has been hit by a car while biking, we do need safer streets. I would like to see traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and speed traps in more of the city. |
| Do you support phasing out area rating for transit? Why or why not? |
Yes |
Yes, it would help finance a better public transit system. |
| 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 |
I think the city absolutely needs to be dealing with the housing issue. A large part of it is a supply issue. I have worked as a property manager for 13 years and have seen many of the problems that lead to reduced supply. A few years ago Hamilton had a plan to give loans for downtown development. I think a similar plan is needed for housing now. One of the biggest hurdles to providing purpose built rentals is the financing. Loans to provide the mezzanine financing so a bank would back the rest could help significantly in developing new housing. As well, also some of the archaic bylaws that restrict development, mostly in the lower city, need to be changed. |
| 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 |
I think conversion to two way would help as it tends to slow traffic a bit. Speed is a main reason why accidents happen. |
| 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 |
I support completing the LRT. The expected development along the LRT corridor would increase our tax base. As well, many properties along the route have already been expropriated and unless put to use soon will become nests of urban decay. |
| 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 would do my best to see that building, especially government are fully accessible. |
