It was a debate unlike anything Hamilton has ever seen before. All 13 registered mayoral candidates were invited, and 12 of them took their seats inside Cable 14’s Dundurn Street South studio for the traditional mayoral debate.
Cable 14, CHCH, CBC, and the Spectator changed the format this election to include all mayoral candidates, a change from past practices of selecting a limited number of “front runner” candidates.
My full live blogging coverage can be read at the bottom of this summary.
The full debate can be watching on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nO4f4IcPII
Hamilton’s legacy media chose to include notorious white nationalist Paul Fromm among the candidates, and seated candidates alphabetically by surname, placing Fromm beside the only transgender woman on the mayoral ballot, Scarlett Gillespie, something that Gillespie would note during the debate.
The candidates were given brief opening statements, before being read questions for discussion. The moderator telling candidates they would have to speak up during open debate. With no moderation, and 12 open microphones, the debate quickly dissolved into people speaking over each other, leaving viewers at home to struggled to make sense of the fractious cross talks
The Hot Take Summary, Winners & Losers
We live in a political age of focused messaging at certain points of the political spectrum, and debates are no longer guaranteed to be defining moments because the poll of undecided voters isn’t what it was decades ago, and very few people watch full debates. It is the clips that matter, and each candidate is focused on their audiences, and their strategy.
With this context, here’s how I summarized it at 9:37 p.m.:
Gillespie had a very good night: got the most airtime, denounced Paul Fromm, touched on key campaign points, and is now clearly established as a key leader of Hamilton’s progressive-left.
Cooper had a bad night: had to be on the defense repeatedly, should’ve been prepared for the women’s reproductive rights questions, office budget. Instead, deflection and redirection did not work. Cooper needed to win the centre-right, and establish as the outsider candidate with inside knowledge. Did not do this.
Loomis had a good night, was well prepared, ready for the challenge/uncomfortable questions. But the USW 7135 endorsement statement seemed unclear, and depending on what the union says, we’ll see what happens. Loomis needed to have a safe night as the likely frontrunner (based on last year’s Liaison Strategies poll), and pretty much did.
Horwath had a good night as well. The incumbent mayor, Horwath had to defend a record. As an incumbent, the goal is to avoid gaffes and uncomfortable responses. The clip of Horwath saying “I’m outta here” is not a clear gaffe in that most people watching this televised debate were sharing the same feeling regarding the free-for-all talking over each other format.
NOTE: full transcripts of my interviews with Cooper, Loomis, and Horwath are being posted on Friday.
Full Replay
Good evening everyone! Let’s get this conversation started.
Every candidate was invited tonight, including notorious white nationalist Paul Fromm.
This will be an interesting experiment in live television.
7:07 PM: There are 12 candidates in the Cable 14 studio tonight. They are each being given two minutes each for opening statements.
The candidates are speaking in alphabetical order.
Arguably, this all-candidates format is a worst case scenario for Rob Cooper. He needs the airtime tonight to introduce himself to voters, more so than Keanin Loomis and Andrea Horwath.
Both Horwath and Loomis have built-in recognition from the 2022 municipal election. Cooper is a first-time candidate for mayor.
7:14 PM: Scarlett Gillespie is the candidate immediately after Paul Fromm. Gillespie opens by denouncing white supremacists and facism. A direct response to Fromm.
Incumbent Mayor Andrea Horwath uses her opening statement to speak about her record for the first minute, and then takes her second minute to say that Cooper will “drag us backgrounds” saying Cooper does not believe in Women’s Rights, and says Loomis will “take us nowhere.”
Horwath calls Cooper the “hatchet man” and Loomis the “nowhere man.” Horwath accuses Loomis of being “gone for four years.”
7:19 PM: Horwath’s attack line against Loomis as being “gone for four years” refers to Loomis living in Hamilton while working for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in Toronto and then working remotely from Hamilton as the President and CEO of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, representing the steel industry across Canada.
We are now at directed questions.
The format is that questions will be directed to one candidate. They will get the opportunity to speak for one minute without being interrupted, then it will be open floor.
First question to Mayor Horwath, what still needs to be done to improve transparency at City Hall?
Horwath says she is increasing open data, adding more online services, and will be launching more key performance indicators. The Mayor cites her transparency task force’s work.
Keanin Loomis get the microphone first, and says he will add a City information app that gives push notifications, and more public info
Austin says the three front runners cannot lead on transparency.
Gillespie says the City needs to allow people to file freedom of information requests with online payments. (The City of Hamilton requires people to pay in person at City Hall to file for information)
The issue of the City’s poor ranking for financial transparency is being discussed.
There is a lot of interjections.
The moderator reminds candidates that anyone can jump in during this open microphone portion.
Mayor Horwath is responding to the criticisms. She speaks calmly.
New question is directed to Gillespie: what is the role of the municipal government’s role in supporting Stelco workers that are being laid off.
Gillespie says the City needs to stand in solidarity with them, and advocate for federal supports.
Open mic:
Horwath states as mayor they are in contact with the higher levels of government. Austin interjects, I cannot clearly hear the interjections.
Loomis accuses Horwath of only moving her Head of Lake Ontario plan because of the election. Horwath says this is wrong, that Loomis must not have been around. Loomis gets an opportunity to speak to his campaign, around 10 seconds uninterrupted. As a strategy, that’s what the candidates need to do tonight, get a point in whenever they can between all the cross talk.
There are some comments from readers below. Thank you for joining the conversation. https://thepublicrecord.ca/2026/10/live-blog-and-reader-chat-hamilton-mayoral-debate-with-horwath-loomis-and-cooper/#33529
Cooper says Hamilton needs to have a local procurement policy with a focus on purchasing from Hamilton manufacturers as much as possible.
Question to Cooper: you promise a budget tax rate adjustment below the rate of inflation. What will Cooper cut?
Cooper says he will cut waste, and lists projects that have widely frustrated Hamiltonians, and then speaks about the City’s poor performance metrics.
Open Mic: Cooper keeps speaking with good voice projections and got himself some extra time.
Ejaz Butt speaks about the City’s problem of choosing unrealistic lowest bids, and then giving the vendors extra millions on projects.
Austin is trying to interject, but is sitting back in the chair, so is not being clearly heard.
Now it is just a bunch of people yelling at each other. At least four people trying to speak over each other.
Now the moderator, who minutes ago encouraged the candidates to speak freely, is trying to get them to listen to one another.
Gillespie says to cut the police budget, police do not need cable, do not need the mounted horse unit, and should review all the new hires of recent years.
Horwath responds that the City has had to hire paramedics, firefighters, nurses for long-term care.
And now the cross chatter resumes.
Loomis is asked what actions will be taken as mayor about white nationalism and supremeist groups, noting Paul Fromm is a white nationalist. What actions, beyond just denouncing it.
Loomis noted a few initiatives, and adds that as Mayor, if a venue hosts a white nationalist event, he will never enter the venue again.
Fromm says it is his right of free expression to have his views, accuses Mayor Horwath of making Hamilton “Cuba North” because the City stopped the Dominion Society from having an event in Hamilton.
Erin Janus is trying to speak, noting that she has not been able to speak. Janus asks candidates to raise their hands if they believe Paul Fromm should not be allowed at the Cable 14 debate. I see everyone’s hands up (expect Fromm). Fromm whines that he is not being tolerated.
Janus stated that Dave Cherkewski did not raise his hand. (I did not see clearly enough to determine)
Later, Cherkewski stated people should have freedom of speech.
Question to Sasha Austin on the City of Hamilton’s housing and homelessness budget and value for money.
Austin says the funding is not getting the results that it should.
In a technical error, C14 briefly flashed an email question. Candidates will be asked for talk about the Upper Stoney Creek GFL landfill matter.
And the candidates are talking over each other again. One of the candidates remarks that there is a need for the moderator to moderate.
Now the moderator is moderating.
Next question: to Horwath
How involved should the City be in relocating the Salvation Army emergency men’s shelter out of the downtown?
Horwath says the City should be assisting to ensure a new shelter can be built to provide better services, with a focus on getting people into permanent housing.
7:58 PM: A reader comment on this format being a “wild west” is here: https://thepublicrecord.ca/2026/10/live-blog-and-reader-chat-hamilton-mayoral-debate-with-horwath-loomis-and-cooper/#id_33550
7:59 PM: Gillespie speaks firmly against the eventually demolition for the Salvation Army building, that we need to keep housing, and the City should not be focused on the “gentrification” of the downtown for the profits of an entertainment district.
Thank you to Leigh for the comment.
Yes, Mayor Andrea Horwath stated “I’m outta here” at the beginning of the break and was seen getting up and walking away from the table.
Second half as begun.
Candidates are being given 30 seconds to speak about the LRT project.
There is no delay on the broadcast, candidate Austen said “bull****” in an answer.
Horwath remained for the second portion.
Next question is directed to Loomis: will you fund the police, or defund the police?
Loomis will sit on the police board and ensure policing has the resources they need.
I’ve posted the video of Horwath’s “I’m outta here” comment here: https://bsky.app/profile/joeycoleman.ca/post/3mxfp3j7n7k2n
Next question: to Cooper, what would’ve you done different regarding the Made-in-China shelters. Would’ve purchased local.
Then a question to Horwath and the GFL landfill. The 30 seconds isn’t much beyond the background overview.
Now candidate to candidate questions.
Cherkewski to Horwath – what do you say to people who voted for you last time and will not be this time.
Horwath responds that is not what she is hearing in the community.
And now there is an open forum on the mayor’s record.
Loomis to Cooper – on Cooper’s use of his office budget to purchase self-promoting advertisings, Amazon orders including made-in-America candy canes.
Cooper responds by talking about cutting Council free lunches, and his opposition to new taxes, and tries to turn the discussion to the storm water fee “rain taxes”
Horwath to Cooper: You donated to a “far right political party” (the Christian Heritage Party) and answers to a pro-life organization that indicate he does not support women’s choice.
Cooper responses by stating he hears concerns about intolerance
Gillespie, as the “only transgender candidate” in the mayoral election says the CHP is a “christofascist” organization.
Austen asks Cooper to answer “can you answer if two spirited lives are wrong or right, a sin?”
Cooper asks Austen to explain the basis of their question, Cooper says he is not a hateful person.
Cooper did not directly answer the questions on this topic.
Gillespie says all people need to be welcome, Fromm tries to say something off camera. Gillespie returns to topic and states Hamilton has had many old white Christian cis-gender men as many and this is why as a transgender woman it is important “we have better and more diverse representation at City Hall” and it is important that everyone knows they belong in Hamilton and at City Hall.
Butt to Janus: what is the role of the Mayor in advocating to the Province on health care and municipal services.
Walker to Horwath: about Mayor Horwath not attending a specific pow wow that Walker states he is an organizer with.
Horwath responses she’s been to many events.
Now the other candidates are criticizing the incumbent mayor.
Now Fromm gets a question:
To Loomis – would you put back up the John A MacDonald statue at Gore Park.
Loomis says no, that it will be placed in a Hamilton museum with context.
Gillespie suggests leaving the current Indigenous art that has been placed on the dais in place.
Fromm said something, I didn’t catch it exactly, but it sounds like it called this “sacrilege” and Gillespie very quickly says Hamilton does not own this land that we live on Indigenous lands.
Discussion turns to reconciliation, colonialism, and now the debate about having an Indigenous voting seat on City Council.
Cooper to Loomis: how will you deliver 5000 new units, Cooper says this will be a 50 per cent tax increase to achieve. Challenges Loomis to say what the tax increase will be.
Loomis responds by citing Cooper’s own ward office spending, says that Cooper wasted public funds, and that zero-based budgeting would mean it would not get that money again next year to waste.
Cooper than gets his own microphone time, and says the Loomis will increase taxes by over 25 per cent.
Loomis responds that he cannot say what the tax rate will be because he will “inherit your mess” pointing to both Cooper and Horwath, Loomis says it is impossible to know the budget right now.
Gillespie to Loomis: Yes, or No, on Data Centres. The AI data centre pledge to oppose any data centre that does not have appropriately stringent and enforcable regulations.
Loomis says “yes, absolutely”
Now a debate on AI data centres.
Gillespie challenges Loomis on being a dual-citizen, American-born and now a Canadian. Loomis pulls out a Canadian passport.
Mitchell to Cooper: why are you over spending the Ward 8 office budget. I think the reference is to the Ward 8 office budget spending on advertising.
Cooper states the desk and chair in the Ward 8 councillor office were broken, they need to be replaced and furniture was purchased to allow residents to meet in the City Hall office.
Gillespie challenges Cooper on the hiring of a communications strategist, billboards to build a ward mailing list. Cooper turns to ward spending on parks, roads.
What may be the final candidate to candidate questions.
Janus to Cooper: What is Cooper’s stance on reproductive rights.
Cooper says there is hate against those who have people for religious views.
Janus says Cooper is “dodging” again and that ‘tells women all they need to know’
Cooper returns to saying that he is “speaking my heart” as Christian, and that he holds his views sincerely without answering the question itself.
Cooper says “this is not part of municipal politics” [reproductive rights]
“Faith hate shows up in our community,” says Cooper.
Moderator, “He has answered the question and we will move on.”
“And finally” so this is the final candidate to candidate questions.
Austen to Loomis: on the 2013 Loomis tweet regarding hotel workers on a picket line.
Loomis tweeted “How is striking in the cold, holding me up outside the hotel as I email & enjoy the new Arcade Fire in my warm car working out for you?”
Loomis states the post was in 2013, has apologized for it, and apologizes again.
9:18 PM: Loomis claims the endorsement of United Steelworkers Local 7135, the striking workers at National Steel Care. “They have voted to support me.”
This will be follow-up stories to confirm.
And that’s it for the open floor tonight.
Gillespie had a very good night: got the most airtime, denounced Paul Fromm, touched on key campaign points, and is now clearly established as a key leader of Hamilton’s progressive-left.
Cooper had a bad night: had to be on the defense repeatedly, should’ve been prepared for the women’s productive rights questions, office budget. Instead, deflection and redirection did not work. Cooper needed to win the centre-right, and establish as the outsider candidate with inside knowledge. Did not do this.
Loomis had a good night, was well prepared, ready for the challenge/uncomfortable questions. But the USW 7135 endorsement statement seemed unclear, and depending on what the union says, we’ll see what happens. Loomis needed to have a safe night as the likely frontrunner (based on last year’s Liaison Strategies poll), and pretty much did.
Horwath had a good night as well. The incumbent mayor, Horwath had to defend a record. As an incumbent, the goal is to avoid gaffes and uncomfortable responses. The clip of Horwath saying “I’m outta here” is not a clear gaffe in that most people watching this televised debate were sharing the same feeling regarding the free-for-all talking over each other format.