Ahead of the upcoming municipal election on October 26, all candidates running for Hamilton city council in 15 wards were asked by CBC Hamilton to outline their priorities and strategies for addressing key community issues. Below are the responses from the candidates in Ward 3, with minimal editing for spelling and grammar, along with their submitted photos. For candidates who did not complete the CBC Hamilton questionnaire, information was sourced from publicly available outlets. To determine your ward, visit the city’s website.
In Ward 12 of Hamilton, incumbent councillor Craig Cassar is seeking re-election and faces competition from former police board chair Fred Bennink.
Both candidates are emphasizing their business expertise and have pledged to enhance city infrastructure while ensuring community safety and affordability.
Ward 12 encompasses Hamilton’s Ancaster area and stretches into west Flamborough, covering locales like Copetown, Jerseyville, Lynden, and Sheffield.
According to the City of Hamilton’s ward profile based on 2021 data, most residents in Ward 12 are in their 50s and 89% own their homes, contrasting with the city-wide homeownership rate of about 66%. Ward 12 ranks as the second wealthiest ward in Hamilton after Ward 14, with an average total household income of approximately $163,000 in 2020, significantly higher than the city’s $109,000 average. Notably, about 44% of Ward 12 residents earn at least $150,000 annually, compared to the city’s overall rate of 20%.
When asked about the urgent challenges facing their ward, both Bennink and Cassar highlighted the need for lower taxes, functional infrastructure, community safety, and discontinuing the rain tax.
Bennink, a 67-year-old retired outdoor sign manufacturer who previously served on the Hamilton Police Services Board, expressed his aspiration for positive change in the ward and city, citing his experience in business planning and budgeting.
Cassar, aged 51 and the incumbent Ward 12 councillor since 2022, stressed the importance of making neighborhoods safer by addressing speeding and dangerous driving concerns, particularly to ensure the safety of children and families. He also emphasized the significance of preserving rural areas and prime farmland, vital for Hamilton’s economy.
In response to how they would tackle these challenges, Bennink highlighted collaboration with council and stakeholders, while Cassar focused on advocating for safer streets, implementing road safety initiatives, and supporting rural preservation efforts.
Neither candidate reported utilizing generative AI tools in their responses, affirming the authenticity of their statements.
For more details on the municipal election candidates and updates, visit CBC Hamilton’s dedicated coverage on HamiltonVotes2026.
