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? - Raise the Hammer Elections

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Candidate Responses
Response Summary
Candidates Who Have Not Responded

5 Candidate Responses (top)

Ward 07
Candidate	Brief Response	Full Response
Benson, Steve	Yes	I am concerned when it comes to the planet. However, I do not believe that people should be taxed for this issue. Having to pay additional taxes with no proof that these taxes will help reduce the carbon footprint, is hard to swallow. Plus, the fact that companies with deep pockets can buy carbon credits to add to the pollution, negates everything this tax is supposed to represent. With that said – the pollution generated in Hamilton has been reduced by 90% since the 1990’s. This in part Provincial governments recent new mandate of accumulative pollution taking into account air pollution moving in from the USA and not individual pollution as it has been. Obviously, working toward zero emissions is the ultimate goal. However, within this framework, we should address the water quality, or lack thereof, in Hamilton. Downtown Hamilton has over 600 km of piping, collecting both raw sewage and rainwater, mixing them together before heading to the Woodward treatment plant. Vulnerable to flooding and overflowing this summer beaches had to be closed due to blue/green algae and human waste floating in the Bay. Adding to this, years and years of toxic chemicals being disposed of in the area should give us, as Hamiltonians, serious cause to be concerned.
Kazubek, Joseph	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.
MacIntyre, Dan	Yes	I don’t pretend to be an expert on global warming. Aside from the obvious answers of: finding cost-effective ways to use cleaner energy, increasing ridership on our HSR system, and creating new green spaces. I do know that it served me very well to sit down with Lynda Lukasik, Executive Director of Environment Hamilton, back in May, and having that relationship grow will certainly aid me in making sure I’m doing the right thing. We absolutely, and on Hamilton Mountain in particular, need to eliminate a lot of the asphalt that exists. A great example is around the corner from my home at Upper Sherman and Mohawk. If you’re looking for a case study on how not to act as a responsible land owner or good corporate citizen come and walk the north-west parking lot with me. You’ll be amazed!
McMullen, Geraldine	Yes	The City has partnered with Mohawk College, the City of Burlington and Sustainable Hamilton Burlington in the development of the Centre for Climate Change Management at Mohawk. The goal of the Centre is to develop real solutions for Hamilton and area in the form of business and community greenhouse gas emission reduction. This, in turn, would create a more sustainable future of responsibility in our use of the planet’s resources.
Pauls, Esther	Yes	The City should be doing more with community heating systems and other opportunities to reduce green house gas emissions.

Response Summary (top)

Brief Response	Count	% of Total
Yes	5	100.0%
No	0	0.0%
Maybe	0	0.0%

6 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)

Ward 07
Clarke, Steve
Clowater, Kristopher
Dirani, Adam
Grice-Uggenti, Karen
McColl, Jim
Schneider, Roland