I am running for mayor because I believe Hamilton needs leadership that understands the realities people are facing on the ground and is committed to building solutions that work for everyone.

Working-class residents are being squeezed by housing costs, rising expenses, and uncertainty about the future. My priorities include strengthening affordable housing strategies, improving transparency around development decisions, investing in community safety and public health, RGI, and non-profit approaches that actually reduce harm, and ensuring city services are accessible and responsive.

“I will prioritize policies that expand affordable and non-profit housing, strengthen tenant protections, and increase transparency around development decisions. This includes accelerating affordable housing builds on city land, supporting non-profit, RGI, and co-operative housing models, and ensuring that new development includes meaningful affordability”
–Teresa DiFalco, “With Mayoral Contender, Scarlett Gillespie”  The Hamiltonian, March 12, 2026.

My Commitments

• Accelerate affordable housing development on publicly owned city land
• Support non-profit, RGI, co-operative, and community-led housing models
• Ensure new developments include meaningful long-term and sustainable affordability measures
• Protect existing affordable housing stock from neglect and displacement
• Improve transparency around development and housing approval decisions
• Expand accessible housing options for seniors, residents living with disabilities, and working families
• Encourage mixed-income communities that strengthen neighbourhood stability
• Work with provincial and federal governments to secure long-term housing funding
• Reduce delays and barriers preventing affordable housing projects from moving forward
• Prioritize housing policies that help residents remain stably housed long-term

I believe we need to examine how municipal decisions affect everyday residents whether that is transit, housing, or local economic development, and ensure policies are focused on stability and opportunity for working families.

Homelessness in Hamilton cannot be solved through short-term optics, temporary displacement strategies, or projects designed more for political photo opportunities than long-term stability. We need honest, sustainable solutions that focus not only on getting people housed – but helping them remain housed. As I have said publicly:

“Building units alone is not enough if people cannot remain housed, once they become housed” –Aliyah Karimjee “‘I’m not distancing myself from my past,’ Former sex worker and trans advocate plans to run for Hamilton mayor”NOW Toronto, April 28, 2026.

Hamilton must focus on long-term housing stability, preventative supports, and maintaining the housing we already have alongside building new affordable options.

Too often, governments spend enormous amounts of taxpayer money on rushed or poorly planned projects that deteriorate quickly, while existing public housing and affordable housing stock are neglected. Maintaining and repairing existing housing infrastructure is often more fiscally responsible, more sustainable, and more effective than continuously reacting to crises after systems have already failed.

My Commitments

• Prioritize long-term housing stability over short-term political optics
• Improve maintenance and repair of existing public and affordable housing stock
• Expand supportive housing connected to mental health, addiction, and healthcare services
• Reduce reliance on reactive emergency responses that simply shift homelessness from one area to another
• Support housing-first approaches focused on keeping people permanently housed
• Increase coordination between housing, healthcare, and social support systems
• Ensure public investments in housing are transparent, sustainable, and built to last
• Focus on prevention strategies that reduce homelessness before crises escalate

Hamilton residents deserve solutions that are humane, financially responsible, and focused on real long-term outcomes – not temporary fixes that leave the underlying problems unresolved.

Hamilton residents deserve public housing that is safe, properly maintained, transparent, and responsive to the people who live there.

For too long, tenants in public housing have reported unsafe conditions, delayed repairs, poor communication, neglect, and feeling ignored when raising serious concerns. Public housing exists to provide stability and dignity, not to leave residents fighting to have basic maintenance and accountability addressed. As I have said publicly:

“Homelessness in Hamilton and across Canada has been a crisis for a long time, and meaningful solutions must go beyond temporary or reactive measures. The goal is to move people into stable housing with the support they need to remain housed, rather than relying on short-term responses that simply shift the problem elsewhere and out of sight, prolonging suffering. The other goal is also to properly maintain our current housing stock and to prevent another situation like CityHousing Hamilton’s neglect of the Jamesville property.” –Teresa DiFalco, “With Mayoral Contender, Scarlett Gillespie”  The Hamiltonian, March 12, 2026.

This issue is personal for many Hamiltonians who have struggled to be heard within housing systems. As CBC Hamilton reported regarding my own housing advocacy:

“Paralegal Stephanie Bent told CBC she is representing Gillespie at the LTB to fight the notice. ‘We have been privileged to help and Gillespie fight on and look forward to seeing how much more she can do for people whose voice is often muffled or ignored completely,’ Bent said in an email statement.” –Aura Carreño Rosas “Sex work and housing advocate planning to run for mayor in Hamilton” CBC Hamilton, March 17, 2026.

My Commitments

• Push for stronger maintenance standards and faster repair timelines
• Increase transparency and oversight within public housing systems
• Ensure tenants are treated with dignity and respect
• Improve accountability around complaints, inspections, and housing conditions
• Advocate for safer, healthier, and more accessible housing environments
• Advocate for emergency exceptions for victims of domestic violence to be offered alternative choices
• Support tenant voices in housing policy and decision-making
• Protect existing affordable housing stock from neglect and deterioration
• Coordinate with Municipal Law Enforcement where applicable

Public housing should provide stability, safety, and community, not force residents to fight to be treated fairly. Hamilton can and must do better.

Hamilton deserves emergency response systems that are effective, coordinated, compassionate, and focused on long-term public safety – not just crisis reaction.

For too long, police have been expected to respond to issues involving mental health, addiction, homelessness, trauma, and social crisis without the broader supports needed to truly resolve them. Public safety matters deeply, but safer communities are built not only through enforcement; they are built through prevention, stability, and support. As I have said publicly:

“Being honest with ourselves and each other that police cannot and should not be the only response to every emergency issue in practice.” She also looks to provide support to youth who are vulnerable or potentially accessing housing supports and violence interruption programs — suggesting after-school social programs like movie nights, bowling alleys, “things that allow people to do something that gets them away from activities that might end up with them committing a crime,” she explained.*

A stronger city response means ensuring the right professionals are responding to the right situations while improving safety for residents, frontline workers, businesses, and vulnerable community members alike.

My Commitments

• Strengthen community-based crisis response and prevention programs
• Improve coordination between emergency services, mental health supports, healthcare providers, and outreach teams
• Expand violence interruption and youth support initiatives
• Support preventative programs that reduce involvement in crime and crisis situations
• Increase access to mental health, addiction, and housing supports
• Improve emergency response efficiency and accessibility across Hamilton
• Focus on measurable outcomes that reduce repeat crises and improve neighbourhood safety

Investing in prevention is also fiscally responsible. As I stated to NOW Toronto: “We spend so much on reacting to crises, and we need community-led safety, because that is about reducing the number of crises in the first place and reducing the amount of money we have to spend as a city,” -*Aliyah Karimjee “‘I’m not distancing myself from my past,’ Former sex worker and trans advocate plans to run for Hamilton mayor”NOW Toronto, April 28, 2026.

This includes creating opportunities for young people to stay connected, engaged, and supported through community programming, recreation, and mentorship initiatives that help reduce isolation and involvement in violence or crime.

A safer Hamilton is one where people can access help before situations escalate into emergencies, and where emergency systems are equipped to respond effectively, appropriately, and humanely.

Community safety is about more than emergency response after a crisis has already happened. A truly safe city is one where people can access support early, remain connected to their communities, and receive help before situations escalate into emergencies.

Hamilton residents deserve neighbourhoods that are safe, stable, clean, and supported by systems that actually reduce harm and improve long-term outcomes. For too long, cities across Canada have relied almost entirely on enforcement-based approaches to respond to addiction, mental health crises, homelessness, and social instability. While policing remains an important part of public safety, it cannot be the only response to complex public health and social issues.

A stronger approach to community safety means investing in prevention, treatment, outreach, housing stability, and coordinated support systems that reduce the number of crises happening in the first place.

My Commitments

• Expand access to mental health and addiction supports across Hamilton
• Improve coordination between healthcare providers, outreach teams, housing supports, and emergency services
• Support community-based crisis response programs that reduce deaths and connect people to care
• Increase preventative programming for youth and vulnerable residents
• Strengthen violence interruption and harm reduction initiatives
• Advocate for more supportive housing connected to healthcare and recovery services
• Reduce pressures on emergency rooms, shelters, and frontline responders through earlier intervention
• Focus on measurable outcomes that improve neighbourhood safety and long-term community stability
• Invest in preventative and community-led safety approaches
• Support pathways to treatment, recovery, and long-term housing stability
• Increase transparency and measurable outcomes around public health initiatives
• Focus on reducing crises in ways that improve safety for the entire community

A safer Hamilton is one where residents feel supported, public spaces remain functional and welcoming, and emergency systems are equipped to respond effectively and appropriately to the realities people are facing every day.

“So before we talk about transformation, we need to be honest about governance. For decades, the City has had leverage and hasn’t used it effectively.  That means any meaningful transformation requires political will, leverage, and renegotiation – not just vision statements.” –Teresa DiFalco, “Before the Ballot: Questions for Hamilton’s Next Mayor” The Hamiltonian,April 28, 2026

Hamilton deserves leadership that is honest, transparent, and accountable to the people – not politics, insiders, or backroom relationships.

Too many residents feel disconnected from City Hall and Council decisions and are frustrated by rising taxes, delayed projects, unclear spending, and a lack of public trust. Honest governance means listening to residents, communicating clearly, admitting mistakes when they happen, and ensuring decisions are made openly and ethically.

As Mayor, I will work to build a City Hall culture rooted in integrity, transparency, and public service.

My Commitments

• Open and transparent decision-making
• Clear communication with residents about city priorities and spending
• Stronger accountability around procurement, contracts, and major projects
• Public reporting on measurable outcomes and progress
• Reducing waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary bureaucracy
• Respectful engagement with residents across all communities and political perspectives
• Ensuring taxpayers understand how and why decisions are being made
• Advocating for ethical leadership and responsible stewardship of public funds

Leadership is not about slogans or political theatre. It is about trust, responsibility, and delivering results people can see in their daily lives.

Hamilton deserves a City Hall that works with the public, not around them.

Hamilton residents are paying more while too often feeling like they are getting less in return. Taxpayers deserve a city government that spends responsibly, prioritizes core services, and treats public dollars with the same care families and businesses must use in their own budgets.

Reducing waste does not mean cutting the services people rely on, it means improving efficiency, increasing accountability, and making sure spending produces measurable results.

Recent national research from the C.D. Howe Institute ranked Hamilton among the lowest-performing major municipalities in Canada for fiscal transparency and accountability, highlighting concerns around budgeting clarity and public reporting.

As Mayor, I will focus on restoring trust by ensuring taxpayers can clearly see where money is going and whether projects are delivering value. I commit to work with City staff at all levels to ensure that everyone is is engaged in continuous improvement, and they they have the tools and resources to do their jobs effectively and to feel valued.

My Commitments

• Conduct operational reviews to identify inefficiencies and duplication
• Reduce unnecessary consulting costs where internal capacity can be strengthened
• Implement regular auditing of all contracts to ensure their value as compared to cost
• Improve oversight of major infrastructure and development projects
• Increase transparency around procurement and contracts
• Push for measurable outcomes and public performance reporting
• Reduce costly delays caused by bureaucracy and poor coordination
• Prioritize preventative investments that reduce long-term emergency costs
• Focus spending on core services residents rely on every day
• Working with City staff at all levels to ensure these outcomes

Hamilton cannot continue solving every financial challenge through higher taxes alone. We need smarter planning, better accountability, and a City Hall culture focused on value, efficiency, and results for residents.

Hamilton residents deserve a City Hall that is open, accountable, and honest about how public dollars are spent. Too many people feel disconnected from decision-making while taxes continue to rise and confidence in municipal government declines.

Recent national research from the C.D. Howe Institute ranked Hamilton among the lowest-performing major municipalities in Canada for fiscal accountability and transparency, citing late budgets, poor financial clarity, and a lack of accessible reporting for taxpayers.

As Mayor, I will push for a culture of transparency, measurable outcomes, and responsible financial management focused on restoring public trust.

My Commitments

• Publish clearer, easier-to-understand city budgets and financial reports
• Improve public access to spending, procurement, and project information
• Reduce wasteful spending, duplication, and unnecessary consultant reliance
• Introduce measurable performance reporting so residents can track results
• Increase oversight and transparency around major infrastructure and development projects
• Ensure taxpayers know where money is going and what results it is delivering
• Push for faster budget timelines and more responsible long-term planning
• Strengthen accountability around cost overruns and delayed city projects
• Expose and eliminate corruption at the source where applicable

Hamilton residents work hard for their money. They deserve a municipal government that treats every tax dollar with respect, communicates honestly, and remains accountable to the people it serves.

A stronger Hamilton starts with a City Hall people can trust again.

Too many people in Hamilton feel disconnected from politics and believe their voices do not matter. This campaign is about changing that.

Democracy works best when ordinary people feel empowered to participate – not just during elections, but in shaping the future of their communities every day. Civic engagement should not belong only to political insiders, wealthy donors, or people with institutional power.

This campaign is rooted in the belief that working-class people, tenants, seniors, youth, disabled residents, newcomers, small business owners, workers, and marginalized communities all deserve a meaningful voice in the direction of our city.
As I said when announcing my campaign:

Her candidacy is a “break from traditional political pathways” and her commitment to those underrepresented in decision-making, she said. While other mayoral candidates likely have more name recognition, more support staff and better funding, Gillespie said she is less concerned about her chances in the race than about representing the working class. “I hope that my candidacy represents inspiration for working-class people to stand up and speak out.” –Mac Christie “Scarlett Gillespie – better known as Jelena Vermilion – enters Mayoral Race” The Hamilton Spectator, March 11, 2026.

My Commitments

• Promote public participation in local decision-making
• Hold accessible community consultations across Hamilton
• Improve transparency around City Hall processes and decisions
• Encourage youth engagement and civic education
• Create more opportunities for residents to directly engage with local government
• Ensure community voices are heard before major decisions are made
• Foster respectful dialogue across different neighbourhoods, wards, and perspectives

Hamilton belongs to the people who live here. Promoting civic engagement means ensuring residents feel informed, included, and empowered to shape the future of their city.

Hamilton residents deserve infrastructure that is safe, accessible, reliable, and properly maintained year-round. Sidewalks, pathways, roads, transit stops, and public spaces are not luxuries they are essential parts of daily life for seniors, families, children, workers, residents living with disabilities, cyclists, and pedestrians across our city.

“If I were to win as Mayor of Hamilton, I see a city where people can feel the difference in their day-to-day lives, where people are more housed and remaining housed, where infrastructure is maintained properly, buildings aren’t falling apart, and the roads aren’t riddled with potholes. City services are easier to access.” –Aliyah Karimjee “‘I’m not distancing myself from my past,’ Former sex worker and trans advocate plans to run for Hamilton mayor”NOW Toronto, April 28, 2026.

Too many people in Hamilton experience cracked sidewalks, unsafe crossings, inconsistent and inadequate snow clearing, poor lighting, potholes, flooding concerns, and accessibility barriers that make moving through the city more difficult than it should be, and impossible for some residents living with disabilities or who use mobility aids.

As Mayor, I will push for infrastructure planning that prioritizes safety, accessibility, preventative maintenance, and long-term reliability instead of delayed repairs that become more expensive over time.

My Commitments

• Improve sidewalk repair and maintenance timelines
• Prioritize accessible pathways, curb cuts, crossings, and public spaces
• Strengthen snow and ice removal standards for sidewalks, bus stops, and pedestrian routes
• Improve road maintenance and pothole response times
• Ensure infrastructure planning considers seniors, disabled residents, families, and transit users
• Increase accountability and transparency around infrastructure projects and timelines
• Invest in safer lighting, walkability, and connectivity between neighbourhoods
• Support year-round accessibility so residents can move safely through the city in all seasons

A truly livable city is one where people can safely walk, roll, bike, take transit, and access their communities without unnecessary barriers.

Hamilton deserves infrastructure that is maintained with care, built for everyone, and reflective of the needs of the people who rely on it every day.

“Hamilton is a sanctuary city built by working-class and disabled people, artists, im/migrants, and labourers,” she said. “Our city government should reflect the full lived reality.” –Aura Carreño Rosas “Sex work and housing advocate planning to run for mayor in Hamilton” CBC Hamilton, March 17, 2026.

This campaign is committed to centering people, workers, and authentic community engagement over automation and artificial intelligence-generated political messaging.

Hamilton is a city built by workers: healthcare workers, steelworkers, tradespeople, im/migrant workers, agricultural workers, artists, students, service workers, artists, caregivers, educators, labourers, transit operators, hospitality staff, small business employees, and countless others whose labour keeps this city functioning every day. Their voices, experiences, and realities deserve to be heard directly and treated with respect.

That is why this campaign prioritizes a human-led approach to communication, organizing, outreach, and community engagement.

Our Commitment to Workers

• Prioritize direct human interaction and community engagement
• Value the labour, creativity, and lived experiences of real people
• Avoid replacing meaningful human communication with automated systems
• Ensure campaign messaging remains grounded in authentic dialogue with residents
• Support fair labour practices and ethical use of technology
• Promote accessibility, transparency, and accountability in campaign communications
• Recognize that trust is built through human relationships, not algorithms

Technology can be a tool, but it should never replace genuine public engagement, empathy, accountability, or community connection.

This campaign believes Hamilton deserves leadership that remains rooted in people, not automation.