Ahead of the upcoming municipal election scheduled for October 26, CBC Hamilton reached out to all candidates vying for seats on the Hamilton city council across 15 wards to outline their priorities and proposed solutions for key community issues. The responses provided by the candidates running in Ward 3 have been summarized below, with minor edits for grammar and spelling, accompanied by their submitted photos. For candidates who did not participate in the CBC Hamilton questionnaire, information has been sourced from publicly available outlets. To determine the ward you reside in, please refer to the city’s official website.
In Ward 12 of Hamilton, incumbent councilor Craig Cassar is seeking re-election against former police board chair Fred Bennink. Both candidates are emphasizing their business expertise and have pledged to enhance city infrastructure while maintaining community safety and affordability.
Ward 12 encompasses Hamilton’s Ancaster area and extends into west Flamborough, covering locations such as Copetown, Jerseyville, Lynden, and Sheffield. The demographic profile of the ward indicates that the majority of residents are in their fifties, with 89% being homeowners, as per the City of Hamilton’s 2021 ward profile. In contrast, citywide homeownership stands at 66%.
Notably, Ward 12 ranks as the second wealthiest ward in Hamilton after Ward 14, boasting an average total household income of around $163,000 in 2020, significantly higher than the citywide average of approximately $109,000. A considerable portion of Hamilton households, about 20%, earn at least $150,000 annually, with 44% of Ward 12 residents falling into this category.
Candidates in Ward 12 were asked a series of questions by CBC Hamilton. Below are their responses, presented in alphabetical order by their last name.
Fred Bennink, aged 67, is a retired outdoor sign manufacturer who served on the Hamilton Police Services Board for five years, including as vice-chair and acting chair. Bennink has a track record of involvement in various governance boards and previously ran as the Progressive Conservative candidate for Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas in 2022. He expressed his aspiration for positive change in the ward and city, emphasizing his ability to foster collaboration and strategic planning.
When asked about the pressing issues confronting Ward 12, Bennink highlighted the importance of lowering taxes, enhancing infrastructure functionality, ensuring community safety, and discontinuing the rain tax. His proposed approach to addressing these challenges involves fostering cooperation among council members and relevant stakeholders.
Craig Cassar, aged 51, is the incumbent councillor for Ward 12, having assumed office in 2022. With a background of 24 years in leadership roles at Maple Leaf Foods, Cassar has prioritized evidence-based decision-making and best practices during his tenure. If re-elected, he pledges to focus on delivering outcomes that prioritize affordability, public safety, and inclusive opportunities for all residents.
According to Cassar, the primary concern raised by constituents is the need to enhance neighborhood safety by curbing speeding and reckless driving, particularly to ensure the safety of school children and families. Additionally, he emphasized the significance of preserving rural areas and farmland, given their economic importance and cultural value to the city.
Cassar’s strategy to tackle these issues includes advocating for safer streets, implementing road safety initiatives, and collaborating with key stakeholders to protect agricultural lands from urban expansion. He has spearheaded various road safety projects in Ward 12 and continues to champion policies that prioritize pedestrian safety, particularly for children. Additionally, Cassar has supported initiatives to preserve farmlands and enhance the economic viability of rural businesses through strategic planning and community incentives.
Notably, neither candidate reported the use of generative AI tools in crafting their responses, affirming the authenticity and personal input in their statements.
In conclusion, the candidates running for positions in Ward 12 are actively engaging with critical community issues and proposing solutions that align with their respective visions for the ward’s future. Voters in this ward will have the opportunity to support candidates who prioritize public safety, infrastructure development, and economic sustainability in the upcoming municipal election.