Elections

Council is poised to vote on the Airport Employment Growth District, a 3,000 acre plan to expand the urban boundary around Hamilton International Airport for employment lands. Do you support this plan? Why or why not?

Responses to the question: "Council is poised to vote on the Airport Employment Growth District, a 3,000 acre plan to expand the urban boundary around Hamilton International Airport for employment lands. Do you support this plan? Why or why not?"

← Back to Election Page

In This Page:

6 Candidate Responses (top)

Ward 03
CandidateBrief ResponseFull Response
Black, Bob No Unfortunately I do not support this plan. I recommend those funds be applied to re-vamp much of wards 1,2 and most importantly ward 3. These wards have been neglected and forgotten for so long that the city is no longer aware of the potential in store fronts and businesses as well as housing projects for more affordable housing, if you look at the way the statistics add up we need to start to take care of the people who do the labour and let the farmers take care of their farms.
DiMillo, Mark Yes I believe that Hamilton Airport can be the catalyst to driving business to the area, especially if we develop the Employment lands surrounding the Airport. Attracting air commerce related businesses, and new opportunities for employment is the eventual result of the plan. Hamilton Airport could you use a boost, and the associated plan, together can generate non-traditional revenues which is something we need to look at during the next term of council. Yes, if executed properly I do support the plan. Having said that I also, do believe that we should protect our farmlands, at the same time meeting the future growth needs of our City.
Gibson, Sean Yes From my discussions with the individuals at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and other business owners in the city, this initiative promises to aid in the growth of our city and the expansion of our local airport. Any program that encourages the expansion and growth of our city is something that I would readily support, also the income from such new business can help pay for some of the other projects (i.e. Hamilton's Cycling Master Plan, LRT).
McGrimmond, Wilamina No I would rather they use the brownfields than use our precious farmland as we need to start growing our own food again here.
Morelli, Bernie Yes To date I have supported this plan. There is no question that job creation and the development of employment lands is a major objective.

Given recent environmental changes in rainfall, the impact on our sewer infrastructure - which is also a basic fundamental need - there is considerable pressure to assess the needs to meet the challenges presented by these changes, as well as meet the objectives stated above.

One might speculate that it may require some rescheduling of implementation plans.
Tetley, Paul No No, I do not support the plan for the Airport Employment Growth District (AEGD), formerly known as the Aerotropolis. The plans for the AEGD include too many unknowns including; the amount and type of employment opportunities; the level of demand for serviced land; infrastructure costs and more.

The City of Hamilton should be focused on attracting businesses to existing serviced industrial areas, both green field and historic. Demand and development for those areas must happen before 3,000+ acres of land, requiring expensive servicing, is approved.

The burden of developing the AEGD should not be borne by the residential taxpayers of Hamilton.

Response Summary (top)

Brief ResponseCount% of Total
Yes350.0%
No350.0%
Maybe00.0%

0 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)

Every candidate has responded to this question.