Andrew Selman, Councillor – Ward 3

Do you live in the ward you are running in?
Yes. My family and I are proud Ward 3 residents, deeply committed to our neighbourhood and daily community life.

When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
Just this past Tuesday to pick up some new reads and check out some local materials for research. Book borrowing. Nothing beats the incredible accessibility,

What is the library’s role in the community?
Libraries are essential civic hubs: safe, welcoming spaces for lifelong learning, literacy, language acquisition, and meaningful neighbourly connection.

What is your priority issue in your ward?
Recreation equity: ensuring every single Ward 3 family and resident has accessible, high-quality public spaces, community programming, and neighbourhood facilities. 

What’s the largest crisis facing Hamiltonians, and how would you fix it?
Inequity across neighborhoods. We address it through rigorous fiscal oversight, cutting administrative mismanagement and procurement waste to reinvest directly into communities.

Campaign website: voteandrewselman.com

Larry Paletta, Councillor – Ward 10

Do you live in the ward you are running in?
Yes.

When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
Renewed it 3 weeks ago, internet on the go, easy return policy. 

What is the library’s role in the community?
A lot of free and essential options.

What is your priority issue in your ward?
Brace and prepare Ward 10 for development and expansion while maintaining what we have, and not be overlooked by City Hall. 

What’s the largest crisis facing Hamiltonians, and how would you fix it?
Growing Debt, cuts need to happen.

Cal DiFalco, Councillor – Ward 10

Do you live in the ward you are running in?
Yes. I have lived in Ward 10 for the past 38 years.

When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
Within the last month. I regularly borrow books through Hoopla using my Hamilton Public Library card. I particularly value the convenience of being able to 

What is the library’s role in the community?
Our public library serves many important functions and has evolved into much more than a place to borrow books. It is a community hub for 

What is your priority issue in your ward?
Responsible growth supported by the infrastructure and municipal services our community needs.As Ward 10 continues to grow, development must be properly planned and supported by 

What’s the largest crisis facing Hamiltonians, and how would you fix it?
Affordability. Hamilton residents are facing significant financial pressures, and municipal government has a responsibility to recognize that taxpayers cannot simply be asked to pay more 

Campaign website: votecal.ca

Nenos Damerchie, Councillor – Ward 8

Do you live in the ward you are running in?
Yes. I live, work, own a business, attend church and am raising my family in Ward 8.

When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
This month, to get books for my daughter. I value the community connection and having a place that encourages her love of reading.

What is the library’s role in the community?
Libraries provide accessible spaces for learning, information, technology and community connection. They are an important public service for people of all ages.

What is your priority issue in your ward?
Public safety: safer neighbourhoods and roads, addressing crime and dangerous driving, while ensuring residents feel heard when they raise concerns.

What’s the largest crisis facing Hamiltonians, and how would you fix it?
Affordability. We need responsible taxation, more housing, stronger local businesses and efficient City spending while protecting the essential services Hamiltonians rely on.

Campaign website: damerchie.com

Seth Floyd, Trustee – Ward 7, English Public

Do you live in the ward you are running in?
Yes, in the Inch Park neighbourhood!

When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
This past Tuesday at Terry Berry (September 15th). Personally, the printer and book rental are what I use most!

What is the library’s role in the community?
The ultimate resource center that makes creative spaces, artistic equipment, the internet, and books accessible to all. Libraries are leaders of equity in the community.

Campaign website: sethfloyd.ca

 

Graham Schreiber, Councillor – Ward 3

Do you live in the ward you are running in?
YES. I live in Ward 3.

When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
Long ago, when I lived in Burlington with my daughter. It was services for children, when my daughter was young.

What is the library’s role in the community?
To serve children, students and adults. IT IS NOT – A Healthcare facility.

What is your priority issue in your ward?
To immediately have all the dangerous & decaying buildings expropriated and demolished. Replacing each existing floor / level at a ratio of X5 to 1.

What’s the largest crisis facing Hamiltonians, and how would you fix it?
Well, housing and property taxes have been addressed above. So, in Ward 3 it would be Bylaw & Building Code Enforcement. Because property standards must 

Kevin McKenna, Trustee – Wards 12 and 13, English Separate

Do you live in the ward you are running in?
I do live in Dundas

When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
 Last week I return a Charlotte Harris fiction, part of the Sookie Stackhouse series, it was the branch in Dundas

What is the library’s role in the community?
It was the branch in Dundas at age 15 that I discovered my love of philosophy, I started with Das Capital worked through Helge 

Melissa Baxter, Trustee – Wards 11 and 12, English Public

Do you live in the ward you are running in?
Yes. I live in Ward 12, within the Wards 11 and 12 area I am running to represent.

When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
I last used my library card recently for family visits. My favourite service is community programming, storytime, LEGO clubs, author events, and family activities.

What is the library’s role in the community?
Libraries are community hubs: places to learn, connect, volunteer, access resources, support local initiatives, and bring families together through shared experiences.

Campaign website: https://www.melissabaxter.com/

Candidates Speak – Municipal Elections 2026

Being a Union that represents the Library Workers of Hamilton Public Library, we would like to make the most informed decision possible on election day. Once again, CUPE 932 sent questions to all of the candidates running in the municipal elections.

We asked candidates to keep their answers to 25 words or less. We will cut off replies after the 25th word. We will be sharing their answers on here and our social media leading up to October 26. The replies will be posted in the order that they are received

The questions:

  1. Do you live in the ward you are running in? Note: For mayoral candidates, we asked if they lived in the City. 
  2. When was the last time you used your library card? What is your favourite library service?
  3. What is the library’s role in the community?
  4. What is your priority issue in your ward?
  5. What’s the largest crisis facing Hamiltonians, and how would you fix it?

Another note: For Trustees, we only asked the first three questions. 

New Collective Agreement Ratified

A new Collective Agreement was ratified on July 25, 2025. The length of this contract will be from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028. The Union and the employer are working towards getting an updated copy of the CA as soon as possible.

Please go to the Collective Agreement page to view a copy of the Ratification Slides and Memorandum of Agreement.

Any questions, please email 932cupe@gmail.com