The 155 Podcast is back for the Ward 8 by-election.
The 155 is named this because there were 155 candidates in the 2018 municipal election, and it is the goal of the podcast to interview every candidate in every race.
2016 Ward 7 By-Election Coverage Gaps Inspired The 155’s Creation
The podcast was inspired by the collective media failure to provide fair coverage during the 2016 Ward 7 by-election. The campaign coverage focused on people known to the City Hall Media Partners and ignored the ‘unknowns.’
Eventual runner-up John-Paul Danko received 93 fewer votes than the victor, CHCH City Hall reporter Donna Skelly. Had there been fair and comprehensive coverage of the race, it is possible Danko would have won.
Following this, I thought about how to improve election coverage. The 155 serves to provide voters with an accessible format to equally compare candidates.
Modified Question Format Introduced for the Ward 8 By-Election
During regular municipal elections, all questions are released in advance to ensure fairness among candidates. Some candidates employ shared campaign managers across multiple wards, creating potential for question sharing between campaigns, even when specific questions differ between wards.
Eight priority questions remain unchanged from previous elections. These questions allow candidates to present their platforms through four categories: two ward-level priorities, two city-wide priorities, improvements to city services, and enhancements to quality of life.
For the Ward 8 by-election, candidates receive only one non-open-ended question in advance—the Ward 8 road safety question retained from the 2022 election.
Topic-based questions are not provided in advance. Candidates receive notification that topics include Finance (two questions), Transparency & Governance, Land Use & Planning (two questions), Governance & Conduct, Governance & Governing, and Experience.
A reading list is provided to assist candidates to prepare for the interview.
Reading List for Candidates
- New Tax Sources for Canada’s Largest Cities: What Are the Options? IMFG, University of Toronto, March 2016.
- Optional: My interview with the report author. https://thepublicrecord.ca/podcasts/the-public-record-radio-show-for-December-7-2016-Municipal-Revenue-And-Spending-With-Dr-Harry-Kitchen.mp3
- Optional: My interview with the report author. https://thepublicrecord.ca/podcasts/the-public-record-radio-show-for-December-7-2016-Municipal-Revenue-And-Spending-With-Dr-Harry-Kitchen.mp3
- City of Hamilton Projects Losing Over $100,000 in 2025 as Hamiltonians go to Other Cities for Marriage Licences.
- Gobin v. Nicholson, 2020 ONMIC 13 – The role of municipal councillors and limitations in law.
- City of Hamilton Budget Book
- Mississauga Mayor’s Housing Strategy – https://www.mississauga.ca/publication/partners-in-homebuilding-mayors-housing-task-force-report/
Key document: https://www.mississauga.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/28114301/Partners-in-Homebuilding-Mayors-Housing-Taskforce-Report-accessible.pdf
The Questions
The candidates were provided with the list of questions and topics.
- Who is [NAME]? This is your opportunity to briefly introduce yourself to voters.
- Why are you running for Ward 8 Councillor, and why should I vote for you?
- Do you live in Ward 8, Yes or No?
- What are your thoughts on residency and representation?
- What are your thoughts on residency and representation?
- What are two of your city-wide priorities for Hamilton?
- What are two of your priorities for Ward 8?
- Finance Question
- Finance Question
- Transparency & Governance Question
- Land Use & Planning Question
- Land Use & Planning Question
- Road safety is a significant issue in Ward 8. Upper James is, by far, Hamilton’s most dangerous street, with nearly every section of the road significantly more dangerous than average for both motorists and pedestrians.
- What is your plan to address safety on Upper James, and does your plan include unpopular but necessary changes, and if so, how do you plan to implement the plan?
- What is your overall plan to address road safety? Please provide three detailed specifics of the plan.
- Governance & Conduct Question
- Governance & Governing Question
- Government Operations Question
- What are two changes you will propose to improve City services?
- What are two changes you will propose to improve quality of life in Hamilton?
- It’s August 2026. I am writing a review of the four-year Council term that is just ending. What three words do you hope I will use to describe your ten months as a City Councillor?
- Experience Question
- Thank you, that’s the end of the prepared questions you were sent in advance. Do you have closing remarks you wish to share?
Interviews in August, Publication To Follow Shortly Thereafter
Candidates have been asked to book their appointments. Interviews begin on August 13 and are scheduled to end on August 28. (If needed, due to the number of candidates, interview dates may be extended to August 30.)
I’ll be editing the podcasts as quickly as I can, and posting as soon as possible in September.
Subscribe to The 155 Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, or by RSS in your favourite podcatcher.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: August 6, 2025
Last updated: August 6, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version