Ward 7: Former councillor and MP focused first on infrastructure while incumbent supports affordable housing

CBC Hamilton asked all candidates running for Hamilton city council to share their priorities and speak to an issue that stands out to them as needing to be addressed in their ward. Their answers are left here in full, with lightediting only for spelling/grammar. For the candidates who did not answer the CBC Hamilton questionnaire, information has been drawn from their websites, when possible.All of CBC Hamilton'selection coverage can be found here.

Ward 7 incumbent Esther Pauls is up againstpolitical heavyweightScott Duvall, who served as the Central Mountain councillorfor almost 10 years.

Both PaulsandDuvall say the ward needs more affordable housing andimprovements toinfrastructure.

Duvall, 66,was Ward 7 councillor from 2006 to 2015 but then becameHamilton Mountain NDPmember of parliamentfrom 2015 to 2021, when he decided not to run for re-election.

Donna Skelly became Ward 7 councillor in the by-election after Duvall left and then she became the Progressive Conservative member of provincial parliament forFlamboroughGlanbrook.

That led to Terry Anderson being appointed as the city councillor in the ward until the 2018 election, where Pauls beat out 10 other candidates to become the new councillor.

Pauls has voted in favour of light-rail transit and buildingan arena at Lime Ridge Mall. Sheopposedremovingthe John A. Macdonald statue from Gore Park,expanding the urban boundary and the city's vaccine mandate for staff.

The ward is bordered by the Mountainto the north and Upper Wellington Street to the west. The southern border runs along the hydro corridor, while its eastern border runs from the edge of the escarpment along Upper Gage Road to the LINC, then west along the highway to Upper Sherman, and down to RymalRoadEast, ending at the hydro corridor.

TheLincoln M. Alexander Parkway cuts through the ward. It is also home toLimeridge Mall, the Sackville Hill Senior's Centre, Sam Lawrence Park, Henderson General Hospital, and the Juravinski Cancer Centre.

There are47,460 residents in the ward and the area has a much higher proportion of educated residents compared to all of Hamilton,according to the city website.

The area has a larger Filipino community and Assyrian community. There are also more transit users in the ward.

The area's average household income is$76,818 compared to the city's average of $87,775.

Here's more on the two candidates facing off for Ward 7.

Scott Duvall

Besides his political career, Duvall describes himself as a retiree, formerly being a steelworker and union president.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it:In Ward 7 I see many concerns that need to be addressed, but I would start with road/sidewalk infrastructure and safety on the streets, immediately, if elected. We must tackle the crumbling roads, and sidewalks, especially where cracks and potholes are a safety issue for pedestrians, cyclists and people using mobility devices. I would like to see the entire city reduce the vehicle speeds to 40 kilometres per hourin residential neighbourhoods, this will help slow traffic and make it universal rather than the approach right now where some areas are 40 kilometres per hour and some are not. Speed bumps definitely slow traffic, but some erratic drivers just move to a different street, we need more enforcement in trouble areas. On our arterial roads I would make stoplight changes, with more advanced greens so that cars can make their turns without jeopardizing people crossing at walkways. Scramble crossings at major intersections is something that this municipality has not put forward, and can easily be implemented on a trial basis at a problematic intersection. Flashing light pedestrian crossings work well and need to be added across the ward, especially in areas where there is a long stretch between stoplights.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected:In conjunction with my Ward 7 priority above, I would put forward a motion to immediately introduce 40kilometres per hour in residential areas, advanced greens in major intersections across the city, move forward with at least one scramble crossing and implement a study to see where flashing light pedestrian crosswalks are needed the most. Our city is facing a housing crisis and we must explore every opportunity to help alleviate the problem. I would put forward or support a motion to make the necessary repairs to our vacant city housing to create more affordable units, look at our city owned land to see if we can build tiny homes or co-op units, and study existing bylaws with a lens on licensing for investors and landlords. I would like to see the elimination of area rating, and enhanced transit in under served areas, but would start with a motion to focus on improvements to scheduling and better connectivity across the system. We should also consider a payment option that makes transit affordable for seniors, students and low income people. Hamilton has declared a Climate Emergency and we must make transit fast, convenient, affordable and a real alternative to driving.

Esther Pauls(incumbent)

Before Pauls was a councillor, she worked at an insurance company with her husband. She's also an accomplished runner.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it:My top three issues include being an excellent steward of taxpayer dollars (i.e. fixing roads, timely snow removal, updating parks for safety and accessibility), creating affordable housing and new residential areas while protecting farmlands and green space, and constituency accountability in addressing the concerns of Ward 7, Hamilton's most populous ward. I'll use the experience gained over the past fouryears to effectively navigate city hall and efficiently achieve priorities. Knowing what do, is one thing knowing how to do it, where to go, and who to involve, is another. Leveraging my experience will produce even more results for Ward 7.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected:I look forward to supporting policies that create more affordable housing spaces, making streets safer, and improving parks and their accessibility.

School board trustees

The candidates for school board trustees in the area are:

Public school candidates:

• Amy Cowling
• Dawn Danko (incumbent)
• Ryan Weinberger

Catholic school candidates:

• Nick Agostino
• Michael Di Giacomo
• Patrick John Daly (incumbent)

For more of CBC Hamilton's electioncoverage:

• Student groups among those doing final push to get out the vote in Hamilton this week
• OPINION | At 18, I only recently realized the importance of community engagement and politics
• CBC Hamilton's community election panel at the Hamilton Public Library, Saturday, Oct. 15
• Why some Hamilton-area residents are choosing not to vote this municipal election