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Rob Cooper

Ward 8 City Councillor

Visit Rob's website

Elected as Ward 8 Councillor in 2025, invited to chamber of commerce debate
Has previously served as Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Risk officer, Chief Internal Auditor and Vice President at major organizations
He holds 13 degrees and professional designations, including a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and an MBA.

Rob Cooper’s Priority Issues

Keep property tax increases at or below inflation

while protecting essential services and investing in the infrastructure residents rely on.

Create jobs and economic growth:

Attract investment, support businesses, and create good-paying local jobs Control costs, invest in priorities, grow our economy and deliver measurable results in every ward.

Repair and rebuild roads:

Repair deteroriating roads, sidewalks, and critical infrastructure while ending wasteful duplication and delays Pursue provincial and federal infrastructure funding while growing our commercial and industrial tax base to reduce the burden on homeowners.

Confront the housing and homelessness crisis:

Address homelessness and housing affordability with practical solutions focused on accountability, better outcomes, and real support for those in need

Prioritize infrastructure based on condition, growth and community need rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Flamborough has distinct needs, particularly when it comes to roads, transportation, recreation facilities and the infrastructure required to support responsible growth. Those priorities need to be reflected in the City’s capital planning.

Implement outcomes-based budgeting, strengthen procurement, modernize City processes and establish clear performance measures so taxpayers can see what they are getting for their money. Every dollar wasted is a dollar that cannot repair a road, improve a recreation facility or support frontline services.

Tackle violent crime:

Tackle gangs, drugs, and American guns

Prevention, enforcement and “breaking the cycle”

I would be on the police board and we’d be building a strategy with the chief. “If you don’t even define the problem accurately, how can you fix it? So I’ve come out and said, ‘you know what? Hamilton is dangerous and unsafe’,” said Cooper. “It’s about gangs, guns and drugs, and we have a drug business model we need to bust and we’re going to bust it. Right now it’s challenging — we have a mayor who does not believe she has time to be on that police board.”

End tax increases exceeding inflation

Scrap the rain and food tax:

Eliminate unnecessary taxes like rain/food/tree tax and reduce cost pressures on Hamiltonians

Source: voterobcooper.com

Rob’s Answers: Muslims & Islamophobia

How will you strengthen relationships and trust between police services and Muslim communities?

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Hamilton has a significant number of Muslim officers serving in our police service, helping build trust and understanding. As Mayor, I will sit on the Police Services Board and actively engage with Muslim community leaders and residents to hear concerns, strengthen relationships and ensure every community feels safe, respected and heard.

How will you work with mosques, Islamic schools, and Muslim organizations to improve community safety and emergency preparedness?

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As Mayor, I will work directly with mosques, Islamic schools and Muslim organizations to identify safety concerns and strengthen emergency preparedness. I will encourage collaboration with Hamilton Police, Fire and Emergency Services to improve safety planning, emergency response and communication, ensuring Muslim communities feel safe and protect

What steps will you take to address Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination?

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Islamophobia and anti-Muslim discrimination have no place in Hamilton. As Mayor, I will work with Muslim leaders, community organizations and police to address hate, strengthen reporting and promote education and understanding. Every resident deserves to feel safe and respected. Hamilton needs new leadership that listens, takes action.

How will you ensure Muslim residents and community organizations have a meaningful voice in municipal decision-making?

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As Mayor, I will meet regularly with Muslim community leaders, organizations and residents to ensure their voices are heard at City Hall. I will encourage participation in public consultations, advisory committees and municipal decisions. Meaningful engagement means listening, addressing concerns and ensuring every community is represented.

How will you support Muslim organizations that provide community services, settlement support, youth programming, food assistance, and other essential services?

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As Mayor, I will work with Muslim organizations to strengthen community services, youth programs, settlement support and food assistance. I will encourage partnerships with the City, community agencies and other levels of government to improve access to resources and funding. These organizations play a vital role in supporting Hamilton families.

How can the city provide a more nuanced approach to zoning for religious institutions (such as mosques) given their practices, cultures and needs differ?

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As Mayor, I will work with religious leaders to ensure zoning policies recognize the unique needs of mosques and other places of worship. This includes addressing parking, gathering spaces and religious practices. We need a flexible, fair approach that respects cultural differences, removes unnecessary barriers and supports our communities.

What do you think is the greatest problem the ward is facing, and how do you plan to address it?

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The biggest problem facing our city is rising property taxes and the cost of living. Residents are paying more without seeing better services. As Mayor, I will limit tax increases to inflation, eliminate wasteful spending, improve City services and grow our commercial tax base to reduce the burden on homeowners. We need fiscal accountability.

How will you ensure that anti-racism and EDI policies explicitly recognize and address anti-Palestinian racism where it occurs?

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Racism has no place in Hamilton. As Mayor, I will work with community leaders to ensure their concerns are heard and addressed. I will support reviewing City policies to ensure all residents are treated with dignity and respect.

How will you ensure that your city’s commitments to freedom of expression, anti-racism, religious freedom, and equal treatment are applied consistently across all communities, including when issues are politically contentious?

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As Mayor, I will uphold freedom of expression, religious freedom and equal treatment for all residents. City policies must be applied fairly and consistently, regardless of political views or background. I will promote respectful dialogue, oppose discrimination and ensure decisions are guided by fairness, transparency and the rights of every resident

Are there any other priorities or topic you would like to add?

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My vision is to make Hamilton the safest, most affordable and most prosperous city in Ontario. As Mayor, I will tackle violent crime, limit tax increases to inflation, eliminate wasteful spending, improve City services and create good-paying jobs. Hamilton needs responsible leadership that delivers results and puts residents first.

Hamilton