Hankivsky seeks second mayoral term in Port Hope

Olena Hankivsky-Facebook

By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Olena Hankivsky is seeking a second term as mayor of Port Hope, stating she needs an additional four years to accomplish her priorities for the west Northumberland community.

She is focusing her campaign on three pillars; making Port Hope affordable, taking a Port Hope first approach to development and future planning and discussions regarding the proposed Wesleyville nuclear project, and the Port Hope Area Initiative, to ensure the clean-up and local management of low-level radioactive waste in the region.

Housing

Hankivsky said housing is essential to Port Hope, wanting more affordable and senior housing options brought to the municipality.

“We want to make sure people can afford to live in this community,” she explained. “For seniors, they can stay in the community that they’ve helped to build their entire lives.”

Hankivsky said part of addressing housing is examining municipally-owned property, which could be developed and “how that could be leveraged to create mixed housing, including affordable housing options.”

When not on Port Hope lands, discuss with developers including affordable housing in their new projects. She remarked the previous council obtained from some developers a guarantee that affordable housing would be an option.

To strengthen Port Hope’s ability, Hankvisky wants planning processes to be more autonomous, which she contends would help move the processes forward.

Proposed Wesleyville Nuclear Project

While Hankivsky described the proposed Wesleyville nuclear project as being in “chapter 1,” or the very early stages, it will be important for the municipality to position itself at the discussion table, as a “Port Hope first,” approach.

“To make sure the community is heard in this process, that it’s protected, that Port Hope gets all the investment from the infrastructure and the benefits throughout the entire process,” Hankivsky said.

Yet, she explained the multi-generational project is in the early stages, having recently agreed to explore the option of a nuclear facility in the area.

Taxes

Hankivsky will be walking a tight rope, trying to balance tax increases and meeting the demand for services and managing infrastructure strains.

She said there are huge pressures with asset management, but recognizing the need to invest in infrastructure, while not wanting to “put that additional pressure on the residential taxpayer, because it’s really not tenable.”

To offset the costs, Hankivsky said more advocating at the provincial and federal levels, being at the conversation tables and capitalizing on more grants to meet the needs of Port Hope residents.

Port Hope has launched a centralized website so voters can source readily available information on candidates, their platform and contact information. porthopevotes.ca was launched four years ago and again in the 2024 by-election.