MISSION: Ensure a fair and equitable system is used to elect Hamilton's City Council. Ensure a real voice for Dundas residents in affairs that affect them.
Goal 1) Implement a ranked ballot voting system in Hamilton for the 2022 municipal election.
Goal 2) Replace Ward Councillors with Councillors-at-Large for the 2026 municipal election.
Goal 3) Ensure that Dundas residents have a forum to share their views on a regular basis.
Goal 4) Strategize on how to make Hamilton City Council more effective for Dundas residents.
Goal 5) Re-constitute the Community Council as an elected, representative body.
Excellent ideas, Michelle. Sadly, we see the pendulum swinging the other way in terms of number of Councillors. Toronto cut theirs by more than half right before the 2018 election. Politicians are seen as anathema, which isn't healthy for a vibrant, participatory political culture. And, as if on cue, one of the first things Hamilton City Council did in the current mandate was reject even examining preferred ballots! What are the thoughts on a "community council" either as it currently exists or might in a more democratically elected form?
My personal feeling is that Goal 1 ranked ballots should be the top priority. Goal 2 as second priority: is it possible to have a blend of ward councillors and councillors at large? There used to be a mayor and councillors for Dundas alone. Imagine now that 15 councillors and a mayor have to take care of all business for all of Hamilton... For that reason I do like the idea of Goal 5 to have a democratically chosen volunteer group to assist each councillor.