HAMILTON — Twelve of Hamilton's 13 certified mayoral candidates faced one another in a contentious televised debate Thursday night, putting taxes, council spending and candidates' records under scrutiny less than three weeks before election day.

The two-and-a-half-hour Cable 14 program gave every candidate an invitation and is available as a full replay. The broadcaster and the City of Hamilton list the event and certified field independently, while local reports documented the exchanges that defined the night.

Cooper challenged on abortion survey and office spending

Incumbent Mayor Andrea Horwath challenged Ward 8 Coun. Rob Cooper over his responses to a Campaign Life Coalition survey. CHCH reported that Cooper identified himself as anti-abortion and opposed so-called bubble zones around clinics in that survey. Cooper said his position reflected his Christian faith and accused Horwath of discriminating against religious beliefs.

Erin Janus also pressed Cooper on the issue, while Keanin Loomis questioned him about ward-office spending. The discussion cited previous reporting that Cooper spent money on billboards, office furniture and media training after taking office.

Cooper defended the purchases, saying his inherited office furniture was broken, that new furniture made the office more accessible to residents and that billboards were a cost-effective way to reach voters without an established contact list.

Property-tax promises draw a sharp exchange

Tax policy produced another confrontation. Cooper and Horwath have said they would seek to cap property-tax increases at the rate of inflation. Cooper pressed Loomis to name a specific ceiling, and the two argued over how a future mayor should balance affordability with the cost of municipal services.

No candidate can set the annual property-tax increase alone. Hamilton's mayor and council approve the budget collectively, and campaign promises will still face revenue, service and infrastructure constraints after the election.

Format brings almost the full field together

The Public Record reported that the debate's inclusion of almost the entire field marked a change from previous formats that selected a smaller group of perceived front-runners. With 12 candidates and open discussion periods, several segments became difficult to follow as participants spoke over one another.

Paul Fromm, whose history with white-nationalist organizations has been documented publicly, also attended. Multiple candidates condemned his views during the debate. Fromm's presence on the certified ballot does not represent endorsement by the broadcaster, the City or other candidates.

The City lists 13 certified candidates for mayor. Election day is Monday, October 26, and the City's election portal provides official candidate and voting information. Voters who want the candidates' full remarks can watch the complete Cable 14 replay rather than relying only on clips or summaries.

Sources: Cable 14 full mayoral-debate replay, October 8; City of Hamilton certified-candidate list; City of Hamilton election dates and voter information; CHCH News, published and updated October 9 at 8 p.m.; The Public Record summary and replay, updated October 9.

Lead image: Hamilton City Hall, September 2008 file photo by Nhl4hamilton via Wikimedia Commons, public domain. Not a photograph of the debate.