Ahead of the Oct. 26 municipal election, CBC Hamilton asked all candidates running for Hamilton city council, across 15 wards, to share their priorities and how they would address what they see as the top issues in the community. Answers of Ward 6 candidates are reflected below, with editing only for spelling and grammar. For the candidates who did not answer the CBC Hamilton questionnaire, information has been drawn from publicly available sources. To find out what ward you live in, check the city’s website.
Incumbent councillor Tom Jackson will face two challengers for Ward 6 on election day, Oct. 26: Melissa Debicki and Peter Werhun.
Ward 6 is Hamilton’s East Mountain ward, stretching along the north and east edge of the escarpment, with the Upper Red Hill Valley Expressway forming its eastern boundary. The ward is divided by the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway and includes the interchange with the Red Hill Valley Parkway.
The ward is home to Mount Albion Conservation Area and Bernie Arbour Stadium, as well as some light industrial and commercial land in its southeast corner.
Candidates have raised concerns about roads, sidewalks, parks, transportation, housing and access to community services. They have also offered different approaches to managing the city’s finances and its response to growth.
CBC Hamilton asked candidates a number of questions. Here are their answers, listed in alphabetical order by candidate last name.
Melissa Debicki
Melissa Debicki, a hairstylist with experience in non-profit fundraising and communications is a Ward 6 councillor candidate. (Submitted by Melissa Debicki)
Melissa Debicki, 37, is a hairstylist who said her career has given her experience in service, financial and operations management, business growth, risk management and client retention. She also has experience in non-profit fundraising and communications.
When asked what sets her apart, Debicki pointed to her combination of hands-on experience, business knowledge and community-focused leadership. She said she would bring an accountable, practical and solutions-oriented approach to the role, while working with residents, businesses and community partners.
What are the most urgent issues or challenges the ward you’re running in is facing?
There is a lack of support in Ward 6 for residents. We currently have the lowest accessibility rate to child care in Hamilton, while educational programming and family resources in our community operate part-time.
Our growing senior population has no local access to general programming, with only one weekly drop-in program available at our recreation centre.
Our community has been in a state of emergency for mental health, homelessness, and opioid addiction since 2023 and Ward 6 still has no local services, leaving residents to travel by vehicle for support.
At the same time, our trades workers, local businesses, and charitable organizations are being overlooked while the same resources are procured from large international corporations.
These supports are vital to the growth and development of the ward and contribute to Hamilton’s economy.
How would you address these issues?
Creating more local child care spots through expansion of current centers, or building a new center with a focus on infant care can help more parents return to work and provide greater financial stability for their families.
Expanding programming and resources can help connect families with the supports they need, and gives our children a better chance for success upon entry to school.
Providing local crisis-prevention and harm-reduction services can help reduce pressure on Hamilton’s hospital system that has been managing this due to lack of community supports.
Obtaining products and services from local businesses and skilled trades workers helps keep money in our economy, supports local jobs, and can reduce costs associated with taxes and tariffs.
Did you use AI in the production of your answers?
No.
Tom Jackson
Tom Jackson is the current Ward 6 councillor and is running for the seat again. (City of Hamilton website)
Tom Jackson, 70, is the incumbent Ward 6 councillor. He holds an honours BA in political science from McMaster University and previously owned two Second Cup coffee shops. He also worked at Stelco’s Hilton Works.
Jackson said he has lived in the East Mountain since the 1980s and is proud of what he has accomplished with residents and through his council office. He said he wants to maintain what he describes as the momentum and results achieved during his time in office.
What are the most urgent issues or challenges the ward you’re running in is facing?
Return to affordability at City Hall for everyday tax-payers and families.
Continue to improve and upgrade hard infrastructure (i.e. roads, sidewalks, buildings, etc.) and soft infrastructure (parks, playgrounds, multi-use pathways, etc.)
Traffic-calming and safety.
How would you address these issues?
Continue to employ my “tri-party arrangement” of using my office’s advocacy to broker solutions for constituents from City staff.
Civic engagement and strong representation at the city council table are among my leadership strengths.
Did you use AI in the production of your answers?
Absolutely not! All answers are genuinely my own.
Peter Werhun
Peter Werhun, a customs and international trade lawyer, is a Ward 6 candidate. (Kevin Patrick Robbins)
Peter Werhun, 32, is a customs and international trade lawyer. He was born and raised in the East Mountain and is the son of Ukrainian-Canadian immigrants who left communist Poland.
Werhun studied chemistry at McMaster University, completed a master’s degree in Ottawa and attended law school in Toronto. He said he has been active in the community, including through volunteering, while building his own law firm in Hamilton.
In his day job, Werhun represents Canadian companies and workers on customs and trade law. He said that work has reinforced his focus on making sure economic decisions consider workers and small businesses, not only large corporations.
When asked what sets him apart, Werhun pointed to his professional knowledge and experience, as well as what he described as the drive and ambition of a younger candidate.
What are the most urgent issues or challenges the ward you’re running in is facing?
Governance crisis — accountability, responsibility, fiscal transparency. Good management keeps hard decisions on taxes vs public services from becoming harder
Housing — Expand access to affordable housing in a way that respects communities
Local services — Take meaningful action on parks and the environment. Less delays, excuses, and signaling – more results
How would you address these issues?
We need to reset the relationship between Council, Staff, and residents. Going along to get along is not working, and we need better value for money if we are going to be able to.
That means providing competent oversight, approaching motions and by-laws with a trained mind, and making sure that everyone feels like they have a seat at the table and are invested in the success of the City and Ward.
Did you use AI in the production of your answers?
No.
School trustee candidates
Here are the candidates for school trustee in Ward 6. Over a third of candidates across the Hamilton school boards were acclaimed.
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (English public)
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (English separate)
- Ellen Agostino.
- Joanne Belanger.
- Anthony Mari.
Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir
Conseil Scolaire ViamondeÂ