Hamilton chamber steps into political fray
02 SEPTEMBER 2010 – The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has made no secret that it’s taking a more aggressive approach to this year’s municipal election than in previous years.
Hamilton’s business community has been grumbling since 2006 about the lack of direction by the city’s political decision-makers when it comes to stamping down rising taxes and attracting businesses to the city.
The Pan Am stadium debate has provided even more fuel for the chamber’s argument that a political change must happen at city hall.
“We have always been involved in politics,” said John Dolbec, chief executive officer of the chamber. “This year we want to influence the tenure of the discussions. We won’t be shy any more.”
Chamber president Richard Koroscil stressed that the chamber will make a big splash in this year’s municipal campaign.
“In the past, we have been informative in the election process,” he said. “This year, we want to be influential. We want to have a say in what the issues are.”
Back in February, the chamber’s board of directors agreed that it was time the organization raised its voice within the community, and informed people what it wanted from city hall. The members identified seven key issues, including jobs and prosperity, taxation reform, building the stadium, creating an arms-length economic development corporation, downtown redevelopment, and area-rating.
“We are going to play a very active role in pushing on those key issues that will drive jobs, prosperity and economic activity,” said Koroscil.
In the spring, the chamber released a survey identifying the issues of concern for its members. Over the last few weeks, chamber officials, in partnership with the Hamilton Halton Home Builders Association and the Hamilton Burlington Realtors Association, have been meeting with every candidate for political office, talking to them about issues, and feeling them out on what they believe.
Dolbec said the chamber, while officially neutral in any election, would speak up if a particular candidate backs the organization’s policies.
“Will it be an endorsement? I don’t know,” said Dolbec.
The chamber is holding its traditional mayors’ debate October 5. But the members also wanted to do more for the candidates vying for council positions, such as a trade fair – also on October 5 – that would allow politicians to distribute material and talk to the public. A location has yet to be determined, said Dolbec.
Hamilton chamber officials believe the city is standing at the crossroads to its future and its political leadership has lost its compass. To get Hamilton’s political leadership moving forward, the chamber needs the help of the public, which in the past has been unwilling to get involved in the political process.
In the 2003 and 2006 municipal elections, voter turnout in Hamilton was 37 per cent.
According to a survey conducted by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, a few reasons for the low voter turnout were: few people thought any of the contests interesting; there were no compelling issues and people just didn’t feel like voting.
Dolbec expects the stadium debate could spur the city’s largest voter turnout ever on October 25. “(The stadium) has become of vital interest in the municipality. A lot of people are anxious,” he said.
Koroscil, during a recent breakfast meeting before about 70 local business people, and political candidates, invoked a call to arms for the community to use the ballot to force change at the municipal level.
“We are asking people, our members, and the public to get out and vote,” he said.
Everywhere he goes, the public complains about the state of the city’s affairs, said Koroscil. He responds, “Why are you not voting? If you haven’t (voted), don’t complain. Get out and make a difference.”
