2003 Hamilton, Ontario municipal election

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2003 Hamilton municipal election
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← 2000 November 13, 2003 2006 →
  Larry DiIanni.jpg David Christopherson.jpg
Candidate Larry Di Ianni David Christopherson Dick Wildeman
Popular vote 70,539 54,298 4,462
Percentage 50.92% 39.20% 3.22%

  Brother Michael Baldasaro Mayoral.jpg
Candidate Michael Peters Tom Murray Michael Baldasaro
Popular vote 3,270 2,881 2,569
Percentage 2.36% 2.08% 1.85%

 
Candidate Matt Jelly
Popular vote 510
Percentage 0.37%

Hamilton, Ontario Wards 2000 - 2018.png
The ward boundaries used for the 2003 Municipal Election.

Mayor before election

Bob Wade

Elected Mayor

Larry Di Ianni

The 2003 Hamilton municipal election was held on November 10, 2003 Electors in Hamilton. On election day, Hamiltonians elected a mayor, 15 city councillors, and trustees for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.

Mayoral election[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Larry DiIanni 70,539 50.92% -
David Christopherson 54,298 39.20% -
Dick Wildeman 4,462 3.22% -
Michael Peters 3,270 2.36% -
Tom Murray 2,881 2.08% -
Michael Baldasaro 2,569 1.85% +0.75%
Matt Jelly 510 0.37% -
Total votes 139,902 37.97%
Registered voters 368,480 100%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]
The Ward-By-Ward percentages for the top three candidates: DiIanni, Christopherson and Wildeman.
  • Larry Di Ianni was first elected to Stoney Creek city council in 1982, where he served until the 2000 amalgamation of Stoney Creek into Hamilton. He then served as a Hamilton councillor until November 2003. Di Ianni's major policies included the completion of the Red Hill Creek Expressway, business tax reduction, airport development,[2] improving relations among the amalgamated municipalities, and obtaining additional social service funding from the more senior levels of government.
  • David Christopherson was elected to Hamilton, Ontario City Council in 1985, where he served until 1990, when he was elected to the Ontario Legislature as a New Democrat, where he served, both in government and opposition until 2003. During the NDP's tenure in government from 1990 to 1995, Christopherson held the positions of Minister of Correctional Services and Solicitor-General.
  • Dick Wildeman was a 61-year-old PhD in pharmacology, and former director of Pharmaceutical Sciences at McMaster University Medical Centre. He led a de-amalgamation slate in the election, attempting to reverse a 2000 decision by the provincial government to amalgamate Hamilton with the neighbouring municipalities of Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Flamborough and Glanbrook. His vision on how to do so, though, attempted to recreate the version of local government utilized in 1975, where rural communities bought services from the Hamilton municipality and contributed to 80% of the cost. Local media berated his plan, saying there was "a troubling lack of clarity in how Wildeman envisions" de-amalgamation and that he "doesn't have what it takes to be mayor of the city of Hamilton," because of "huge disconnects in [his] logic."[3]
  • Michael Peters was a 36-year-old first-time candidate and financial controller for a Burlington electrical company at the time of the election. His major campaign planks focused on supporting the Red Hill Creek Expressway, keeping the newly amalgamated suburban communities united with Greater Hamilton and slowing urban sprawl by supporting industrial brownfield development. Peters also lamented the flight of university educated residents from the city, and was quoted as saying, "Of my group of high school friends who went off to university, not one of them lives here, other than me."[4]
  • Tom Murray was a 50-year-old electrician at Dofasco and former four-term councillor for Ward 8. During his tenure on council, his aggressive style proved controversial, but he maintained that this would be a strong quality for Hamilton's Mayor to have. His platform included no-tax increases, revitalization of the waterfront, support for the completion of the Red Hill Creek Expressway and ensuring the city focuses on providing essential services while selling off assets like golf courses and entertainment facilities.[5]
  • Michael Baldasaro was a perennial candidate and the Leader of the Church of the Universe. He stood for Parliament in 1984 and 2000 on a number of different party tickets. In 2003, Baldasaro ran on a platform of monetary rewards for voting, removing City Hall security and legalizing marijuana, prostitution and nudity.[6]
  • Matt Jelly was born in Hamilton, and was a 21-year-old visual artist at the time of the election. He did not enter the election to win votes, but to gain experience and draw attention to certain issues. He wanted to give a final decision on amalgamation more time and opposed the Red Hill Creek Expressway, citing the plan's environmental drawbacks, all while humorously ending his campaign speeches with the line, "Don't vote for me, thank you and good night".[7]

City Council Election[]

Ward One (Chedoke-Cootes)[]

The race for Ward One councillor was marked by nine-year incumbent councillor Marvin Caplan's faltering support because of a major issue. During the campaign Marvin Caplan openly supported the completion of the Red Hill Creek Expressway, opposed by a majority of Ward One's residents.[8]

Challenger Brian McHattie, who had run for Mayor in 1997, was a 43-year-old environmental consultant at the time of the election, and received support due to his opposition to the Red Hill Creek Expressway.[8] Michael Puskas, the third candidate in the race, was a local lawyer who echoed Caplan's support for the Expressway.[8]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 1 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Brian McHattie 5,614 57.94% -
Marvin Caplan (incumbent) 3,043 31.40% +1.33%
Michael Puskas 1,033 10.66% -
Total votes 9,879 100%
Registered voters 25,347 38.98%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Two (Downtown)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 2 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Andrea Horwath (incumbent) 4,601 63.81% +13.7%
James Novak 1,993 27.64% -
Ronald Berenbaum 325 4.51% -
Jerry Moore 291 4.04% -
Total votes 7,443 100%
Registered voters 26,578 28%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Three (Hamilton Centre)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 3 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Bernie Morelli (incumbent) 4,802 67.48% +8.61%
John Best 2,017 28.34% -
Robert Westbrook 297 4.17% -
Total votes 7,410 100%
Registered voters 29,223 25.36%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Four (East Hamilton)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 4 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Sam Merulla (incumbent) 5,015 54.22% +6.3%
Lynda Lukasik 3,430 37.09% -
James Byron 668 7.22% -
Carmen Misale 136 1.47% -
Total votes 9,366 100%
Registered voters 27,014 34.67%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Five (Redhill)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 5 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Chad Collins (incumbent) 8.077 75.20% -11.85%
Andrew Schroeder 2,663 24.80% -
Total votes 10,946 100%
Registered voters 28,545 38.35%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Six (East Mountain)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 6 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Tom Jackson (incumbent) 9.012 74.83% -13.77%
Kevin Beattie 1,446 12.01% -
Peter O'Hagan 916 7.61% -
Shauna McShane 670 6.70% -
Total votes 12,297 100%
Registered voters 29,778 41.30%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Seven (Central Mountain)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 7 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Bill Kelly (incumbent) 10,699 64.66% +3.83%
Henry Merling 3,540 21.39% -
John Gallagher 1,340 8.10% -
Bill Cottrell 968 5.85% -
Total votes 16,765 100%
Registered voters 40,749 41.14%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Eight (West Mountain)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 8 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Terry Whitehead 4,135 27.13% -
Jamie West 3,816 24.62% -
George Morasse 3,081 20.22% +5.41%
Peter Martin 2,280 14.96% -
Naseem Jamil 978 6.42% -
Roman Sarachman 789 5.18% -
Wayne Boychuk 160 1.05% -0.45%
Total votes 15,501 100%
Registered voters 34,607 44.79%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Nine (Upper Stoney Creek)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 9 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Phil Bruckler 3,946 53.80% -
Anne Bain (Incumbent) 3,032 41.34% +5.56%
Tim Riach 192 2.62% -
Abe Din 164 2.25% -
Total votes 7,521 100%
Registered voters 18,614 40.41%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Ten (Lower Stoney Creek)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 10 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Maria Pearson 3,322 36.97% +4.76%
John Santarelli 2,659 29.59% -
Louie Milojevic 1,322 14.71% -
Robert Barlow 1,016 11.31% -
Jim Davis 419 4.66% -
Jeff Corradetti 247 2.75% -
Total votes 9,141 100%
Registered voters 19,798 46.17%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Eleven (Glanbrook Winona)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 11 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
David Mitchell (incumbent) Acclaimed
Total votes 6,768 100%
Registered voters 18,082 37.43%
Note: For this election, voter-turnout is just for the position of Mayor and School Board Trustees in that
the councillor's position was acclaimed.
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Twelve (Ancaster)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 12 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Murray Ferguson (Incumbent) 5,967 69.03% +16.6%
Bryan Kerman 2,677 30.97% +5.01%
Total votes 8,816 100%
Registered voters 20,924 42.13%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Thirteen (Dundas)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 13 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Russ Powers (Incumbent) 5,184 71.39% +12.92%
David Longo 2,078 28.81% -
Total votes 7,544 100%
Registered voters 18,635 40.48%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Fourteen (Wentworth)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 14 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Dave Braden (Incumbent) 2,350 50.92% +3.49%
Don Robertson 2,265 49.08% -
Total votes 4,662 100%
Registered voters 12,519 37.24%
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Ward Fifteen (Flamborough)[]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 15 Councillor Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Margaret McCarthy (Incumbent) 2,924 50.43% -7.24%
Arend Kersten 2,346 40.46% +14.4% (Note 1)
Richard Sams 440 7.59% -
Stan Johnson 88 1.52% -
Total votes 5,843 100%
Registered voters 18,067 32.34%
Note 1: Total is compared with Kersten's precentage in Ward 14 in 2000
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]

Public School Board Election[]

The 2003 election for trustees to the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board was marked by numerous acclamations, despite the board being put under provincial supervision from August 2002 to October 2003 for failing to pass a balanced budget. A provincial report critiqued trustees and the supervisor placed in charge of the board accused trustees of being "parent advocates, rather than system leaders".[9]

Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward One and Two Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Judith Bishop (incumbent) Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1][9]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Three Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Eleanor Johnstone 3,129 72.41% -
Jean Lewis Knight 1,192 27.59% -
Total votes 4,321
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Four Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Ray Mulholland (incumbent) Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1][9]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Five Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Wayne Marston (incumbent) Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [9]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Six Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Kathy Archer 3,267 45.38% -
Laura Peddle (incumbent) 3,202 44.48% -
Alan Zill 730 10.14% -
Total votes 7,199
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Seven Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Lillian Orban (incumbent) 6,103 60.62% -
Mark-Alan Whittle 2,235 22.20% -
Alex Colic 1,729 17.17% -
Total votes 10,067
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Eight Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Al Pierce 4,767 55.55% -
Sylvia Thomas 3,814 44.45% -
Total votes 8,581
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Nine and Ten Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
John Davidson 5,111 64.48% -
Dave Murphy 2,815 35.52% -
Total votes 7,926
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Eleven and Twelve Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Ian Thompson 4,650 51.82% -
Jim Enos 3,031 33.78% -
Kenneth Audziss 1,293 14.41% -
Total votes 8,974
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Thirteen Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Jessica Brennan 3,145 57.41% -
Mark Coakley 1,850 33.77% -
Derek Kerr 483 8.82% -
Total votes 5,478
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1]
Candidates for the November 10, 2003 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Fourteen Public School Board Trustee Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Reg Woodworth (incumbent) Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: [1][9]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "City of Hamilton Election Summary Report". old.hamilton.ca. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  2. ^ http://www.raisethehammer.org/article/131/ | Smoove D: An Interview with Mayor Larry Di Ianni
  3. ^ Prokaska, Lee. "Wildeman: a shrunken view," The Hamilton Spectator, November 6, 2003, Editorial, A21.
  4. ^ Morse, Paul. "Candidate Profile: Michael Peters," The Hamilton Spectator, November 7, 2003, Local News, A5.
  5. ^ Stepan, Cheryl. "Candidate Profile: Tom Murray," The Hamilton Spectator, November 7, 2003, Local News, A5.
  6. ^ Puxley, Chinta. "Candidate Profile: Michael Baldasaro," The Hamilton Spectator, November 7, 2003, Local News, A6.
  7. ^ Morse, Paul. "Candidate Profile: Matt Jelly," The Hamilton Spectator, November 7, 2003, Local News, A5.
  8. ^ a b c Nolan, Dan. "McHattie topples Caplan; New councillor says it's 'overwhelming'," The Hamilton Spectator, November 11, 2003, Local News, A5.
  9. ^ a b c d e Cox, Christine (November 11, 2003). "Four new faces on public board; Catholic voters dump incumbent Magnini after fraud charges laid". Hamilton Spectator.
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