Ward 8 residents will be going back to the ballot box for the third time this calendar year.
The majority of Hamilton’s City Council says they will support calling a by-election to fill the Ward 8 Council seat vacancy created by the election of John-Paul Danko as the new Member of Parliament for Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas.
Seven council members have firmly stated they will vote for a by-election, four are leaning towards calling a by-election, and TPR is awaiting a response from others.
An eight-vote majority is needed to call a by-election.
Section 263 of the Municipal Act gives Council up to 60 days to fill a vacancy by appointment or pass a by-law calling a by-election. If a by-election is called, the earliest possible voting day is July 21, and the latest is November 8. More on timelines here.
TPR is speaking with each member of Council today and asking them to answer “by-election or appointment?”
Mayor Andrea Horwath – Election
“I extend my sincere congratulations to Councillor John-Paul Danko on his election as Member of Parliament for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas. His transition to federal office marks a new chapter in his public service, and we wish him continued success,” the Mayor wrote in a written statement.
“With his departure, the Ward 8 seat on Hamilton City Council will be vacant. As Mayor, I recognize that this vacancy is of significant importance to the residents of Ward 8 and to our city as a whole.
My priority is to ensure that this process is open, fair, and guided by the best interests of the community. The residents of Ward 8 deserve strong representation, which is why I support the democratic principle of holding a by-election.
Whatever course Council decides, I remain committed to ensuring accountable, transparent, and effective local government for all Hamiltonians.”
Ward 1 Clr Maureen Wilson (awaiting response by email)
Ward 2 Clr Cameron Kroetsch – Election
“By-election, 100 percent. We have more than a year to the municipal election.”
“It’s a more democratic way to go. I’m not interested in getting involved in an appointment process or interview for a role that should be publicly elected,” Kroetsch stated in a media scrum at City Hall.
Ward 3 Clr Nrinder Nann – Election
“I think it should be a by-election,” Nann wrote in an email response.
Ward 4 Clr Tammy Hwang – Undecided
“I’m just gonna wait for people to present the options and then we’ll make a decision together,” Hwang stated in a media scrum at City Hall.
Ward 5 Clr Matt Francis – Leaning Election
“I believe the way to best serve the residents of Ward 8 (or any ward for that matter) would be through a by-election. Given the 18-month approximate timeline, it seems feasible. I have an open mind for an appointment should there be a compelling reason to go in that direction,” Francis wrote in an email response.
Ward 6 Clr Tom Jackson – Election
“If this were over 2 years remaining in the term…It would be an automatic byelection. If it were a year or less, it would be an automatic appointment. We are ‘on the bubble’ with 18 months to go. So, given this could go either way, my preference is a byelection,” Jackson wrote in an email response.
Ward 7 Clr Esther Pauls – Election
“By-election, we still have 18 months. Ward 8 has a lot of resident engagement, and I think they deserve a full-time councillor,” Pauls wrote in an email response.
“It’s not fair for the residents in Ward 8 to appoint someone for 18 months who does not know the issues of Ward 8.”
Ward 9 Clr Brad Clark – Election
“There should be a byelection,” Clark wrote in an email response.
Ward 10 Clr Jeff Beattie – Leaning Election
“The only hesitation I would have to an appointment is that you may end up in a situation where you have a well-intended caretaker looking after a particular ward, and sometimes that doesn’t lead to the best decision making for the community,” Beattie said in an interview.
“With my community lens on, trying to get somebody into the seat that’s an effective representative, I might lean slightly more towards the by-election, but again, I’m trying to be open-minded.”
Ward 11 Clr Mark Tadeson – Leaning Election
Tadeson stated he is leaning towards a by-election, but wishes to receive more information before making a decision. He emphasized it is important that residents have effective representation. Tadeson made his remarks in the hallway of City Hall during a break in a meeting.
Ward 12 Clr Craig Cassar – Leaning Election
“I know that in the last term there was an appointment which I did not think was the right thing to do,” Cassar stated in a media scrum at City Hall.
“However, I did not have all the facts, and that’s one of the things I tell constituents: when we make decisions, we consider all the facts and ask questions.”
“A factor here is how much time is left in the term. So I think that needs to be considered. Ideally, I think democracy needs to happen and there should be a by-election, but I’m willing to listen to all the factors involved here.”
Ward 13 Clr Alex Wilson – not yet asked (he is at City Hall attending Planning Committee)
Ward 14 Clr Mike Spadafora (awaiting response by email)
Ward 15 Clr Ted McMeekin – Election
“I think a by-election is the way to go,” McMeekin stated in a media scrum at City Hall.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: April 29, 2025
Last updated: April 29, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
v. 1.0.1 added Mayor Horwath and Clr Clark responses.