Taxes take centre stage as Esther Pauls and Mark Daly clash in Ward 7 debate

Property taxes dominated the Ward 7 (Central Mountain) candidates’ debate on Cable 14.

Two-term Councillor Esther Pauls defended her budget record against challenger Mark Daly, who argued that Hamilton’s finances need more accountability and spent much of the hour pressing her on how she voted.

Third candidate Heather Beale focused on pedestrian safety and how the ward’s council office communicates with residents.

Daly is a retired Hamilton Catholic school principal and a first-time candidate. 

He challenged Pauls on her votes for the 2023 and 2024 budgets, which raised property taxes 5.85 and 5.79 per cent.

Both passed 10-6. He asked what increase she would support if re-elected, given a staff forecast of an 8.2 per cent hike next year.

Pauls said she stood by those votes. In 2023, she said, about two percentage points covered the rising cost of existing services, and the rest funded housing, transportation and public safety.

In 2024, she said, provincial legislation shifted infrastructure costs from developers to the city, adding 2.55 points.

She also cited the rise in interest rates and inflation after the pandemic. “When your house is dripping with water, you have to fix it,” she said.

Daly countered that city taxes have compounded to 22.8 per cent over four years, while inflation over the same period was about nine per cent.

Pauls said she approved only about 11 per cent over the term and voted no on later budgets.

Those budgets fell under Mayor Andrea Horwath’s strong-mayor powers, she said, though councillors could still propose cuts.

She said she brought five motions, including one to postpone a $27-million two-way Main Street conversion.

Daly argued her early support signalled to the mayor that further increases would be acceptable.

He also accused the city of drawing hundreds of millions of dollars from reserves to hold this year’s increase to 3.8 per cent in an election year.

“So to summarize, you’re happy with your tax increase vote and you’re defending the mayor’s management of our finances,” he said.

Pauls rejected that characterization.

Daly said his first act on council would be to vote against any increase above inflation. 

He questioned how residents can judge city spending without audited financial statements, which he said Hamilton hasn’t had since 2022.

He listed “mismanagement” on the Barton-Tiffany tiny shelters, the ransomware attack on city systems, and a new bus facility that was budgeted at $250 million and came in at $396 million.

He argued that with better management, Hamilton could avoid both service cuts and steep tax hikes.

In her closing, Pauls pledged not to vote for any increase above inflation as well. In regards to safety in the ward, Pauls said that property crime is down 16 per cent this year but violent crime is climbing.

She described calls from residents about gangs near the plaza across from Limeridge Mall, and said Council has given police more resources and funding.

Daly said he considers the ward safe. He described walking it constantly for months and raising his children there without concern.

He suggested much of the ward’s crime is concentrated around the mall.

Beale raised the street racing she hears from her home near Fennell Avenue and Upper Sherman Avenue.

She said residents are told police lack the resources to respond, and she called for crosswalk improvements already in use elsewhere in the city.

Pauls said eight new officers have been assigned to the Mountain to target speeders and loud vehicles.

Regarding housing and homelessness, Daly cited a push by Ward 14 Councillor Mike Spadafora for accountability on what Daly described as $130 million a year in homelessness spending, with a report expected for the next council.

Pauls said she supported it, but Daly questioned why the review did not come earlier. On commercial vacancies, Pauls noted that Walmart will open in the former Sears space at Limeridge Mall on Nov. 19.

Beale summed up her approach as “listen, represent, and deliver.”

She questioned Pauls on communication, citing prolonged closures on the Sherman Access and a water main break that she said came with no notice to residents.

Pauls replied that she posts updates on social media and sends a monthly email newsletter. 

Beale closed by promising to close the loop with residents so the ward can stop “taking two steps forward and one step back.”

Daly closed on his three priorities: fixing roads, controlling taxes and restoring accountability. 

“If nothing changes at City Hall, then nothing’s going to change,” he said.

Pauls described herself as accessible day and night, with two phones beside her bed, and asked voters to choose proven experience.

Hamilton’s municipal election is Monday, Oct. 26.