Voters in Hamilton’s ward 3 will be electing a new city councillor.
Matthew Green, councillor for Hamilton’s Ward 3, confirms that he will not seek re-election in October’s municipal election, and is instead eyeing the federal election in the fall of 2019.
Green hopes to succeed David Christopherson as the New Democratic Party’s member of parliament for the riding of Hamilton Centre.
Christopherson has represented Hamilton Centre in the House of Commons since 2004, but recently announced his plan to retire from politics.
Green says it would be wrong to run municipally in light of his aspirations, noting, “When I shake someone’s hand and commit to four years of public service, then by principle, it is a full four years of service that I should serve.”
He points to the licensing of payday loan companies and advancements in affordable housing and living conditions among his accomplishments at City Hall since being elected in 2014.
Green adds that he will eventually be endorsing his preferred replacement in Ward 3, a person with “a long history in the community” and who is “reflective of the values that I share.”
There are currently five registered candidates in Ward 3, including the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion’s Evelyn Myrie — who submitted her nomination papers on Monday — Kristeen Sprague, Keith Beck, Tony Lemma and Laura Farr.