Craig Cassar

Two city-wide priorities, and how to achieve them

• Affordability, seen holistically: not just the tax bill but the cost of failing to invest in roads and transit; wants more revenue per taxpayer via more density within the urban boundary, attracting businesses, and other revenue sources (e.g. vacant unit tax, a new provincial fiscal framework).
• Investment in infrastructure and policy that attracts business and talent and connects people to jobs; points to the “All for One” pilot that shortens site plan application timelines.

Two changes to improve City services

• Communication as a core service: the city should tell its story and connect the dots across announcements to build trust.
• Connectivity: his Daily School Route work and improving the transit system through HSR Next.

Two changes to improve quality of life in Hamilton

• Affordability, framed holistically: invest in roads and transit so getting around and getting to jobs costs less.
• Raise revenue relative to cost so residents get more for their taxes, including working with the province on a new fiscal framework.

Two priorities for Ward 12

• Safer streets: a rural road safety toolbox and design-led traffic calming rather than speed cushions; cites McNiven Road in Ancaster, where he wants the street redesigned around children walking to school.
• Protect agriculture and farmland: keep the urban boundary frozen, support on-farm diversified uses (event spaces, renewable energy) and create a rural community improvement project area to fund rural investment.

Three words for a four-year term (looking back from September 2030)

Transparent, accountable, effective.