The malaise returns to Hamilton

Vincent J. Curtis

25 Oct 22

The election results in Hamilton are pointing to a return to malaise.  With Andrea Horwath elected as Mayor, it is unlikely that Premier Doug Ford will bless Hamilton with the “Strong Mayor” system.  It also raises in my mind the question of whether the funding for the LRT will arrive in a timely fashion from the province.  You can also expect heavy handed treatment from the province on zoning matters, particularly on the urban boundary question.  And the city gets four years of this, or as long as both Andrea and Dougie are in power.

You can also expect more woke drama on city council, meaning the important stuff gets ignored.  Cameron Kroetsch was able to mobilize his support in the gay community to defeat Jason Farr, whose failure on the homeless file irritated many in his Ward.  That crisis isn’t going to get resolved any better by Kroetch, but between him and Andrea woke drama will never be far from the main topic of discussion.  Nrinder Nann can be expected to continue with her dour progressivism.

The city dodged a bullet when Ward 14 did not elect Kojo Damptey.  His membership on council would only have added yet another dimension to the woke drama, and all that distraction would take attention away from the important issues.  Wokers can’t help themselves; they have to air their personal demons at every opportunity.

The city can expect a slow decline in investment and quality of life, but lots of psycho-drama, over the next four years as the woke agenda colours every issue before council.

-30-