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 & Welcome
01:22 Who is Kelly Oucharek & Why She’s Running
03:52 Ward 2 Boundaries
06:20 Growing Up in the Survey / North End Memories
14:03 Personal House Building Delay Story with CN Rail
20:56 27 Years as a Nurse & COVID Frontline
31:40 Decision to Run + Family Influence
42:48 Campaign Slogan: “Listening, Acting, Your Voice”
51:45 HATS Tiny Shelters Fight – Major Turning Point
1:15:25 Personal Family Story with Homelessness
1:29:09 Big Petition on City Governance Failures
1:44:20 Compassion vs Public Safety
2:01:33 18-Month FOI Battle Exposing $2M Hotel Damages
2:13:14 Safe Supply & Drug Diversion Issues
2:24:22 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 Story
• 03:23 Raising a Family in Ancaster & Vision for Ward 12
• 07:17 Community Safety & Police Board Experience
• 12:43 Break & Enters, Youth Crime & Feeling Safe
• 18:52 Roads, Infrastructure & Speed Bumps
• 24:20 Rain Tax, Development Charges & Fairness
• 33:25 Smarter Spending & Fiscal Responsibility
• 43:23 Leadership is Service & Non-Profit Work
• 48:40 Provincial Run vs Municipal Race
• 53:16 What Convinced Fred to Run
• 59:55 Low-Hanging Fruit & Fixing the Core
• 1:01:56 Hope for Hamilton’s Future
• 1:19:51 Final Message to Voters

If 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.ca
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fred.Bennink
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-bennink-929a06392/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fredbennink/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582737594285

Subscribe 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 – Introduction
• 03:26 – Joe’s Motivation: Fascism & Democracy
• 10:51 – How Strong Mayor Powers Were Introduced
• 18:19 – How They Actually Work
• 54:30 – One-Third Council Rule
• 58:57 – Stratford Charter Challenge

Guest 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_link

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheChinPodcast

Should 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 people
• The real impact of 23% property tax increases and hidden use of reserves
• How development charges and red tape are killing housing affordability and jobs
• Wasteful spending, failed projects, and the $52 million cyber fraud
• Staff growth of nearly 1,000 people while services (potholes, transit, downtown safety) get worse
• The culture of dysfunction, bureaucracy, and anti-business policies at City Hall
• Strong mayor powers, lack of transparency, and the need for real accountability
• Practical steps for residents: informed voting and holding leaders accountable
• Hope for a thriving Hamilton through fiscal responsibility and better leadership

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction & Why Peter Launched Thrive Hamilton
• 03:08 – The 23% Tax Increase & Its Impact on Families and Businesses
• 08:19 – What “Hamilton is Spiraling” Really Means
• 13:39 – Governance Failures, Strong Mayor Powers & Dysfunction
• 20:31 – Launch of Thrive Hamilton & Community Response
• 27:14 – Development Charges & the Housing Affordability Crisis
• 36:16 – Construction Industry at a Tipping Point
• 48:37 – Dogma-Driven Policies vs. Fiscal Reality
• 55:27 – Transparency, Audited Statements & Failed Projects
• 77:24 – The Role of Voter Engagement Before October 26, 2026
• 90:48 – What Good Non-Partisan Governance Should Look Like
• 104:42 – Hamilton’s Hidden Gems & Path to Revival
• 138:45 – The Existential Threat to Local Businesses
• 147:56 – Final Message: Get Informed and Vote

Resources & Links:

• Thrive Hamilton: https://thrivehamilton.ca
• Follow Thrive Hamilton on Instagram: @thrive.hamilton
• Follow Thrive Hamilton on Facebook: Thrive Hamilton

Connect with Peter Turkstra:

• LinkedIn: [Peter Turkstra – Turkstra Lumber]
• Instagram: @pturkstra

Final 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.

In this 2-hour deep-dive conversation, lifelong Hamiltonian and Ward 3 Councillor candidate Andrew Selman joins Daniel P. Chin for a candid discussion ahead of the October 26, 2026 municipal election.

Andrew shares his personal story, the exact moment he decided to run, and his data-driven approach to Hamilton’s biggest challenges: the housing crisis, 20%+ property tax increases, urban blight, encampments in parks like Gage Park, drug policy, and the lack of transparency at City Hall.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:01 – Who is Andrew Selman outside of X?
02:35 – First moment something felt wrong at City Hall
06:44 – Childhood, family & mentors
10:00 – How Hamilton shaped his worldview
12:30 – What people misunderstand about him
15:21 – The apartment fire rescue story
18:09 – The exact moment he decided to run
22:51 – Why he’s taking the risk
24:59 – What success looks like after four years
28:30 – What Ward 3 residents are most frustrated about
30:13 – Why voters should choose him
47:52 – Real causes of the housing crisis
57:48 – Property taxes & city spending problems
1:06:48 – Encampments, homelessness & public safety
1:10:46 – Drug policy & safe consumption sites
1:18:21 – Accountability, transparency & open-data dashboards
1:22:21 – Social media, criticism & polarization
1:30:06 – Hamilton in 20 years – his vision
1:42:51 – $100 Million Candidate Test
1:49:37 – Personal side & Hot Takes
1:55:20 – Hamilton Hot Takes
2:02:07 – Outro

Guest: Andrew Selman (@AndrewCSelman)
Running for Ward 3 Councillor – October 26, 2026

Full episode also available on: www.thechinpodcast.com

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your neighbours and subscribe for more honest discussions about Hamilton’s future.

The Chin Podcast, hosted by Daniel Chin, aims to foster authentic conversations on business, government policy, and real estate to inform, inspire, and advance economic prosperity in Hamilton and beyond. The podcast provides actionable insights to navigate Hamilton's challenges, empowers the community to drive real economic change, and encourages engagement through subscriptions, guest suggestions, and sponsorship opportunities.

Takeaways

• Real estate insights
• Community empowerment

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Mission