Full Breakdown
Hamilton mayor-elect Keanin Loomis sets agenda for first term
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Election victory and overarching vision
He said the administration will focus on building a “right team” at city hall, beginning with the appointment of a new city manager. Loomis emphasized accountability for tax dollars, faster delivery of services, safer neighbourhoods and a municipal culture that supports residents and businesses rather than creating obstacles.
02
Housing and public-space strategy
Loomis outlined a “firm and fair” approach to encampments, rejecting the practice of simply relocating them. He said success will be measured by the number of people who move into housing and receive support, not by the frequency of announcements or relocations. The mayor-elect plans to convert an existing downtown ambassador program into a “welcoming streets service” that will assist residents and visitors, identify hazards, and connect people experiencing homelessness with appropriate resources. He also pledged clear response standards for cleaning needles, hazardous debris, hate-motivated graffiti, broken lighting, damaged street furniture and blocked accessible routes.
03
Budgeting reforms and service accountability
Rejecting a pledge to keep property taxes strictly at the inflation rate, Loomis said the city will seek savings by eliminating duplicated work, unnecessary management layers, avoidable consulting costs, chronically vacant positions, inefficient procurement and underused assets. He promised to introduce zero-based budgeting, requiring each service to regularly demonstrate what it delivers, its cost and whether a more efficient method exists. Loomis also announced an earlier start to the budgeting cycle and a commitment to make fiscal decisions more transparent for residents. A 311 system will be implemented to route resident inquiries efficiently, with public reporting on performance metrics such as response times and overdue requests.
04
Transportation, infrastructure and labour priorities
A “dig-once” policy will be adopted so that major road work incorporates foreseeable related projects, reducing repeated street disruptions. Loomis pledged a rural-Hamilton infrastructure strategy focused on preventative maintenance and better coordination among municipal buses, the upcoming light-rail system and GO Transit, especially for workers with non-standard schedules. In his victory speech, he highlighted support for the city’s steelworkers, promising to unite business, labour and government to protect jobs, prioritize local procurement, promote Canadian-made products and defer tax payments for qualifying firms affected by tariffs. He also expressed openness to data-centre development, noting his prior support for the council’s decision to reject a moratorium on such projects.