The Chin Podcast

Hamilton Ward 14 Councillor Mike Spadafora on 23% tax increases, taxpayer dollars, parks and roads, vacant unit tax, homelessness spending, and what he hopes his kids will say he delivered.Born and raised on the West Mountain, he won by 79 votes in 2022. In this Chin Podcast interview with Daniel P. Chin, he talks about City Hall accountability (“taxpayer dollars are not your money”), why he voted against city budgets, almost $2 million in Ward 14 park work, the vacant unit tax’s gross vs. net numbers, about $150 million on homelessness, neighbouring cities, Mike Spadafora 2.0, and making people proud to say they live in Hamilton.In this episodeThe weight of winning by 79 votesBusiness background vs. City Hall accountability23% tax increases and “we didn’t deliver”Parks, roads, and sidewalks paid with Ward 14 area-rating moneyVacant unit tax: gross vs. netHomelessness spending and neighbouring citiesWhat a second term would look likeCivic pride — proud to say you’re from HamiltonMessage to residents, and what he hopes his kids will sayTimestamps00:00 – Intro: roots, 79-vote win01:29 – Growing up in Ward 1409:00 – Family16:00 – Taxpayer dollars are not your money31:20 – Election night37:48 – What surprised him at City Hall44:14 – 23% tax increases50:53 – Parks, roads, sidewalks1:18:50 – Vacant unit tax1:23:58 – Homelessness spending1:43:55 – Mike Spadafora 2.01:52:44 – Civic pride2:01:24 – Unfinished business2:07:16 – Message to residents2:10:17 – What he hopes his kids will say2:12:22 – ClosingFull videohttps://youtu.be/G-ghIfHoc6wMike SpadaforaWebsite: https://www.reelectspadafora14.com/City page: https://www.hamilton.ca/city-council/Email: [email protected]: 905-546-2712The Chin PodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechinpodcastWebsite: https://thechinpodcast.com/If this conversation was useful, subscribe and share it with someone who follows Hamilton city issues.

Kelly Oucharek — lifelong North End resident, 27-year registered nurse, mother of four, and 2026 Ward 2 Councillor candidate in Hamilton — joins The Chin Podcast for an honest, in-depth conversation.In Part 1, Kelly shares her roots in the Survey (Jamesville), frontline COVID experiences, why she decided to run, and the major issues facing Ward 2 residents: public safety, encampments, transparency failures, Barton Tiffany mismanagement, and the fight for residents’ voices.This episode explores what it truly means to listen, balance compassion with accountability, and serve your community.🔗 Follow Kelly Oucharek:• Official Campaign Website: https://kellyoucharek.ca/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/VOTE-Oucharek-Kelly-Oucharek-for-Ward-2-Councillor/61568022688182/If you live, work, or own property in Hamilton — especially Ward 2 — this is essential listening ahead of the 2026 municipal election.👉 Subscribe for more honest conversations on Hamilton politics, housing, safety & local leadership.Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Welcome01:22 Who is Kelly Oucharek & Why She’s Running03:52 Ward 2 Boundaries06:20 Growing Up in the Survey / North End Memories14:03 Personal House Building Delay Story with CN Rail20:56 27 Years as a Nurse & COVID Frontline31:40 Decision to Run + Family Influence42:48 Campaign Slogan: “Listening, Acting, Your Voice”51:45 HATS Tiny Shelters Fight – Major Turning Point1:15:25 Personal Family Story with Homelessness1:29:09 Big Petition on City Governance Failures1:44:20 Compassion vs Public Safety2:01:33 18-Month FOI Battle Exposing $2M Hotel Damages2:13:14 Safe Supply & Drug Diversion Issues2:24:22 Clearing the Record on Compassion (Dimitri Story)2:53:35 Her Genie Wish for Ward 2 + Closing Thoughts#Hamilton #Ward2 #KellyOucharek #HamiltonElection2026

Fred Bennink Ward 12 candidate opens up about what real leadership looks like in Ancaster and Hamilton. A lifelong resident with 35+ years in the community, former business owner, and Vice Chair of the Hamilton Police Services Board, Fred shares practical solutions on safety, roads, taxes, and restoring hope for Ward 12.Ward 12 Councillor candidate Fred Bennink discusses honest leadership for Ancaster & West Flamborough in the 2026 Hamilton municipal election.🔑 Timestamps:00:00 Intro & Fred’s Personal Story03:23 Raising a Family in Ancaster & Vision for Ward 1207:17 Community Safety & Police Board Experience12:43 Break & Enters, Youth Crime & Feeling Safe18:52 Roads, Infrastructure & Speed Bumps24:20 Rain Tax, Development Charges & Fairness33:25 Smarter Spending & Fiscal Responsibility43:23 Leadership is Service & Non-Profit Work48:40 Provincial Run vs Municipal Race53:16 What Convinced Fred to Run59:55 Low-Hanging Fruit & Fixing the Core1:01:56 Hope for Hamilton’s Future1:19:51 Final Message to VotersIf you live in Ward 12 or want better governance in Hamilton — safer streets, lower taxes, and leadership that actually serves residents — this is an essential episode.👉 Follow & Support Fred Bennink:Campaign Website: https://bennink.caYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fred.BenninkLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-bennink-929a06392/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fredbennink/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582737594285Subscribe to The Chin Podcast for more honest conversations on Hamilton politics, real estate, and local leadership. Drop your biggest Ward 12 concern in the comments below — Fred or I may reply!#HamiltonElection2026 #Ward12 #FredBennink #Ancaster #HamiltonPolitics

Is local democracy quietly being rewritten in Ontario?Daniel P. Chin talks with Joe Gaetan, independent researcher and Burlington volunteer, about Strong Mayor Powers. Joe has no political stake yet spent months analyzing the legislation. His four-part series reveals how a mayor + 1/3 of council can control budgets and bylaws, 44% tax hikes, missed housing targets, and transparency issues ahead of the 2026 elections.Key Takeaways: Shift to CEO-style governance, disappointing housing results, and critical questions for voters.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction03:26 – Joe’s Motivation: Fascism & Democracy10:51 – How Strong Mayor Powers Were Introduced18:19 – How They Actually Work54:30 – One-Third Council Rule58:57 – Stratford Charter ChallengeGuest Bio: Joe Gaetan, BGS is an independent researcher with law and Charter background. His series is one of the clearest available.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-gaetan-bgs-3633902a/Essential Reading: https://bayobserver.ca/strong-mayor-powers-the-backstory-article-1-in-a-four-part-series/ https://bayobserver.ca/strong-mayor-powers-the-institutional-verdict/ https://bayobserver.ca/strong-mayor-powers-how-they-actually-work/ https://bayobserver.ca/opinion-joe-gaetan-strong-mayor-powers-not-governance-by-design-but-governance-by-discretion/More: https://bayobserver.ca/stratford-launches-charter-challenge-against-ontarios-strong-mayor-powers/Task Force Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KBehmZ7F4f-3XfJuwmd_s1peDIwz7h2Y/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wZg03pPrJJDMnKr0j3kUVIUFxoHvLq_x/view?usp=drive_linkYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChinPodcastShould Strong Mayor Powers stay or go? Comment below.

In this powerful 2-hour-34-minute conversation, third-generation Hamilton businessman Peter Turkstra — CEO of Turkstra Lumber — delivers an unfiltered look at why Hamilton is spiraling despite its enormous potential. From 23% property tax increases to wasteful spending, declining services, and crippling development charges, Peter explains exactly how current City Hall policies are hurting local businesses, workers, renters, and families.As a longtime employer and founder of the non-partisan platform Thrive Hamilton, Peter shares why he finally said “enough is enough” and what residents can do before the critical October 26, 2026 municipal election.Key Topics Covered:Why Hamilton is spiraling despite its location, institutions, and peopleThe real impact of 23% property tax increases and hidden use of reservesHow development charges and red tape are killing housing affordability and jobsWasteful spending, failed projects, and the $52 million cyber fraudStaff growth of nearly 1,000 people while services (potholes, transit, downtown safety) get worseThe culture of dysfunction, bureaucracy, and anti-business policies at City HallStrong mayor powers, lack of transparency, and the need for real accountabilityPractical steps for residents: informed voting and holding leaders accountableHope for a thriving Hamilton through fiscal responsibility and better leadershipTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction & Why Peter Launched Thrive Hamilton03:08 – The 23% Tax Increase & Its Impact on Families and Businesses08:19 – What “Hamilton is Spiraling” Really Means13:39 – Governance Failures, Strong Mayor Powers & Dysfunction20:31 – Launch of Thrive Hamilton & Community Response27:14 – Development Charges & the Housing Affordability Crisis36:16 – Construction Industry at a Tipping Point48:37 – Dogma-Driven Policies vs. Fiscal Reality55:27 – Transparency, Audited Statements & Failed Projects77:24 – The Role of Voter Engagement Before October 26, 202690:48 – What Good Non-Partisan Governance Should Look Like104:42 – Hamilton’s Hidden Gems & Path to Revival138:45 – The Existential Threat to Local Businesses147:56 – Final Message: Get Informed and VoteResources & Links:Thrive Hamilton: https://thrivehamilton.caFollow Thrive Hamilton on Instagram: @thrive.hamiltonFollow Thrive Hamilton on Facebook: Thrive HamiltonConnect with Peter Turkstra:LinkedIn: [Peter Turkstra – Turkstra Lumber]Instagram: @pturkstraFinal Call to Action:If you’re tired of rising taxes, declining services, and wasteful spending, this episode is for you. Get informed, get involved, and make your voice count in the October 26, 2026 municipal election. Your vote matters more than ever.Follow Thrive Hamilton for ongoing, fact-based updates and transparency in Hamilton city government.