Elections
Joseph Kazubek, Candidate for Ward 7 in Hamilton Municipal Election 2018
Details page for this candidate.
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Candidate Details (top)
| Name | Kazubek, Joseph |
|---|---|
| Election | Hamilton Municipal Election 2018 |
| Area | Ward 07 |
| Party | N/A |
| Votes | 0 |
| Josephfor7@yahoo.com | |
| Website | https://www.josephkazubek.ca/ |
| Home | 905-962-1169 |
| Business | |
| Fax | |
| Bio | Joseph was born into a large family, raised by a single mother whom was a warehouse manager during the day and a waitress during the night. He grew up in the struggle that so many people are facing today of not knowing where the next meal is coming from, or having to decide whether to pay the electricity or gas bill and hoping the other one would hold off from disconnection for another 2 weeks.
Joseph has worked locally for the past 12 years in various positions ranging from Wendy's to Maple Leaf Pork. living from paycheck to paycheck and using payday loan stores to pay off bills, he was forced to use local food banks regularly to feed his young family, while only sinking deeper into the poverty cycle that he knew from childhood. After becoming involved in his healthcare union, it sparked an idea within him that he could be doing something to help others and end poverty among his brothers and sisters. Since then, he has become a social justice activist, advocating for poverty reduction, affordable housing, landlord licensing and access to justice. Recently he has spoken publicly on fair banking, affordable housing, predatory lending, access to justice and Better workplace Act. He has started a Local Law Practise, with the main focus of the practice is to provide access to justice to all, serving all of the golden horseshoe. Joseph believes that one of the biggest issues in Hamilton are slumlords, who've been abusing their power and acting high handedly over people who live in poverty and would be facing displacement if they didn't comply. If elected, he plans on proposing a city funded legal clinic that would provide a paralegal to appear for residents facing eviction or non-maintenance applications, and would be available to everyone in the city. |
Responses to Questions (top)
| Question | Brief Response | Full Response |
|---|---|---|
| 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? | Maybe | I believe that we need to be focused on staying ahead of the housing crisis that is always nipping at the tail, we are currently facing affordable housing issues as more and more residents are becoming homeless or on the edge of it, with that being said, we need to find the best way to keep up with the need of new units, but also ensuring that affordability for the residents of Hamilton is always being considered first. |
| Bonus question: If LRT goes ahead, what will you do to ensure Hamilton receives the maximum benefit? | Yes | I will ensure that HSR receives adequate funding to enhance services and to offer more services among the mountain wards.
Aswell, all contracts are to be awarded to local businesses, and all supply are to be purchased locally, and metro link is to honour the union discussions that have already occurred. |
| 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 believe that even though the province has canceled the cap and trade, we as a city can look into offering some tax grants to present businesses and home owners within the city that as willing to invest into a greener future. I would consider using the new tax revenue from the dispensary that are looking to become licensed within the city to fund this program. Also any new permits will be required to follow set out guild lines to ensure low pollution production.
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| Do you support improved public transit in Hamilton? If so, what changes do you propose? If not, why not? | Yes | Hamilton transit is struggling to keep up with the need Of the city, I don't feel that the LRT will alleviate or help with the issue, we need to invest into the transit system and work with the unions to improve service.
We also need to invest into transit for seniors, the more support were able to offer to them, the longer they are able to stay at home and live independently, which will only enhance their lives. |
| 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 | We should always be focused on expanding and trying to attract more people and businesses in general, with new residents and businesses coming to the city, we will bring in more tax revenue aswell as small businesses will have more opportunities for prosperity, but with this being said, I believe that we should equally look at increasing residents and not focused on one set age group. |
| 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 vision zero, but I only have limited knowledge of the project and would need to learn more about it before I can give a full response to this question, but anything that will improve safety among the streets, will always have my support. |
| Do you support phasing out area rating for transit? Why or why not? | Yes | I do support this topic, all ward should be tax equal, and support all service fairly. Up to this point, area rating funds have not been used for there intentionally purpose, if area rating is maintained, then we need to ensure funds are used appropriately.
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| 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 | Affordable housing is a must, and a human right, the city is obligated to ensure that all residents of Hamilton has a safe place to live.
Affordable housing is one of my main platforms focuses, and part of my poverty reduction plan. I have a few ideas that I believe would help with the reduction but also know that I'm not an expert In this, I will work with local groups and put forward a strong plan. I will be considering similar project that other city have used and has been successful at ensuring affordable housing is available, including Waterloo home owner grants, as well as small houses ( alley way homes) community spaces |
| 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 | yes I support changing to two way streets, I believe this will reduce the traffic congestion and lower car accidents. I would also like to invest into traffic cameras, and more police presence aswell.
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| 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? | Maybe | The LRT does not actually benefit residents from ward 7, unless you live on the line, you will not drive your car down to somewhere on the line, pay to park your car, then take the transit service to only need to catch a bus to continue you trip, when it's faster just to drive to the destination.
I believe that we need to reevaluate the line and the cost, we need to invest more into the current system, enhance services among the mountain to offer better access to all of Hamilton. I do support the LRT, but I support HSR first and formore I believe if we are going to spend a billion dollars, it needs to benefit all of Hamilton residents. |
| 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 | We are obligated to ensure access to all, I do understand that this is a large undertaking and will be asking the province aswell as the federal government to assist with the cost.
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