Hamilton mayoral race ramps up in final televised debate

Twelve candidates vying for Hamilton’s top seat made for a chaotic and loud debate at Cable 14 on Thursday night.

And candidates weren’t afraid to single each other out.

‘The ‘Hatchet Man’ is offering yesterday’s politics, the ‘Nowhere Man’ offers no direction,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath.

Candidates were given the chance to ask one of their opponents a question in the debate, and current mayor Andrea Horwath used her time to call out Rob Cooper, “the Hatchet Man” in her words.

“Mr. Cooper, you made a donation to a far-right political party. You made it clear in your answers to a survey that you’re anti-women’s choice. How can we trust that you’re not going to bring this Trump-style hate-filled politics of division to Hamilton?” asked the incumbent mayor.

“As a Christian, this is a choice that I make because of my faith. And so Mayor Horwath talks about how this city is open to people, but she has this underlying current of discrimination against certain faith groups,” replied candidate Rob Cooper.

Horwath was referring to the results of a survey from group Campaign Life Coalition, that shows Cooper responded saying he’s anti-abortion and would vote to oppose so-called “bubble zones” that prevent protesters from gathering outside of abortion clinics.

Cooper faced scrutiny about that survey throughout the debate.

“Well I appreciate you dodging it again, because that tells women everything they need to know in this city,” said mayoral candidate Erin Janus.

He also took heat from Keanin Loomis over the money spent since taking office in his role as Ward 8 Councillor a year ago.

“You claim to be fiscally responsible, but your actions don’t match your words. Why should Hamiltonians trust you? asked mayoral candidate Loomis.

Reporting from The Hamilton Spectator shows Cooper spent $14,000 on billboards, $10,000 on office furniture and $6,000 on media training.

“In regards to Keanin Loomis’ question: I think it’s really important that members of council act the way that they say they will act, and that their platforms and the things they espouse match their actions,” said mayoral candidate Scarlett Gillespie.

For his part, Cooper defended the purchases, saying his desk and chair were broken when he arrived at City Hall.

“We wanted to change my office so that I could have residents could come and see me. So we bought a table, four chairs, a small desk that was adjustable, another chair, a chair for my assistant, and a four-foot bookshelf. That’s what I bought,” said mayoral candidate Cooper.

“Almost 80 percent of people didn’t vote last election, so I looked at the most cost-effective way to reach out, there was no contact list that I had, so that cost-effective way was actually through advertising on billboards,” said Cooper.

And then Cooper went on the attack, looking for Loomis to commit to a number he’s eyeing for property tax increases. Cooper and Horwath are both promising to cap the tax increase at the rate of inflation.

Cooper and Loomis hotly debated the topic.

Thirteen candidates are running for mayor in total, including one who did not attend last night’s debate. The field also includes Paul Fromm, and other candidates made it clear that he wasn’t welcome.

“And by a show of hands, who would agree that Paul Fromm’s hatefulness and spreading of hate would indicate that he should not be here tonight?” said Janus.

Fromm has a long history of involvement with white nationalist groups in Canada.

“I’m a Canadian. A free Canadian,” said Fromm.

“We have to say that it’s unacceptable. It’s unacceptable in fact that the candidate is here,” said Loomis.