Where to Find Chris NO VIDEO. Chris was unable to be on camera, but his message is still there! https://demeloforcouncil.ca/ https://www.instagram.com/demelo4councillor https://x.com/Demelo_ward3 Chris De Mello on Ward 3, small business, and fixing Hamilton’s slowest systemsChris De Mello, a custodian and maintenance worker with the Peel District School Board and longtime union leader, lays out his run for Hamilton City Council in Ward 3. He argues Hamilton needs faster, fairer city processes for small businesses, stronger enforcement against negligent landlords, and a more practical approach to growth that helps people on the ground. We discuss how his labour background shapes his politics, why he thinks Hamilton’s bureaucracy is holding back business, and why he believes the city should focus less on slogans and more on accountability, licensing, and usable support. Key topicsChris explains why he’s running now, saying Hamilton is getting more expensive while services feel stagnant or worse.He argues the city already knows who the repeat-offending landlords are and should enforce existing property standards instead of treating everyone the same.In the episode, storefront vacancies, boarded-up buildings, and residential conversions of commercial space come up as signs of poor stewardship.He makes the case for a dedicated city liaison to help small businesses move through permits, departments, and paperwork faster.Chris says his union experience taught him to think in terms of costs, risks, and incentives, which he believes applies directly to small business and housing policy.He wants incentives that reward good actors, including grants and targeted support, rather than blanket red tape or constant tax hikes.The conversation covers vacant property taxes, the idea of charging owners more for leaving space empty, and examples from other cities that may be worth adapting carefully.Chris stresses that city hall should cut bureaucratic bloat and consultants before raising taxes further.He says he’s willing to be the person who delivers hard truths, not just good news, if public service requires it.The interview closes on his broader goal: making Ward 3 more livable for residents, businesses, and future growth without turning every issue into a culture war.Timestamps00:00 - Chris De Mello’s background and Ward 3 candidacy 01:19 - Why he moved from Mississauga to Hamilton 03:10 - What Hamilton already knows about problem properties 05:23 - Storefront conversions, boarded-up buildings, and maintenance failures 07:38 - Why proactive enforcement should not burden good landlords 10:43 - How Hamilton’s bureaucracy compares to other municipalities 11:36 - A city liaison to help small businesses cut through red tape 13:47 - Why one point of contact could reduce, not add, friction 16:41 - How union work shapes his view of economics and accountability 21:10 - Vacant properties, grants, and incentives for business use 23:04 - Why he prefers grants over city loans 25:50 - Hamilton’s spending problem versus a revenue problem 30:32 - Being willing to tell voters the hard truth 33:54 - Working across political differences without losing effectiveness 37:41 - How Chris wants voters to reach him 39:46 - Why Hamilton’s rents are squeezing good businesses 46:08 - Journalism instincts, FOIs, and city hall scrutiny 47:53 - Staffing growth, consultants, and whether residents are seeing results 50:24 - LRT skepticism, transit priorities, and downtown development 51:20 - Why Hamilton may need a new economic engine beyond steel 53:26 - Negotiation, compromise, and why online outrage is not governance
