A Seasoned Leader for Ward 8

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Jacob ten Brinke isn’t running for Ward 8 because it’s politically convenient.

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He’s running because this community is home.

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Born and raised on Hamilton Mountain, Jacob comes from a family deeply rooted in Ward 8. His grandparents came to Canada from the Netherlands after the Second World War and settled in the community nearly sixty years ago. Like many immigrant families, they arrived with very little, but they believed that through hard work, sacrifice, and faith, they could build a better future for their family.

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And they did.

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Back then, Hamilton was a city where working people could thrive. Families could afford homes. Neighbours looked out for each other. People believed that if you worked hard and did the right thing, you could build a good life right here in your own community.

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Jacob grew up seeing both the strength and the struggles of that reality firsthand.

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Raised in a middle-class family, he watched his parents work tirelessly to make ends meet. His mother worked long hours at Tim Hortons. His father balanced military service with work as a mechanical engineer. There were times the family relied on food banks, experiences that shaped Jacob’s understanding of affordability, dignity, and the importance of community support.

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Like many Hamilton families, they weren’t asking for handouts.

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They were simply trying to get ahead.

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That experience never left him.

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Jacob started working at a young age, delivering newspapers at ten years old before later working landscaping, construction, and shifts at Tim Hortons to help support his family. Those years taught him the value of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance.

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But above all, they taught him something even more important:

Service to others matters.

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At 17, Jacob joined the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, following in his parents' footsteps and continuing a lifelong commitment to service.

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For more than 14 years in uniform, Jacob served Canadians during some of the country’s most difficult moments. During major flood responses in Montreal and Ottawa, he worked directly with communities facing uncertainty, fear, and loss. He helped reinforce flood defences, support evacuations, and lead teams operating in high-pressure conditions where people needed calm leadership and real help, not empty promises.

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Military service taught Jacob lessons that continue to guide his life today: discipline, accountability, teamwork, and service before self. As a Corporal and team leader, he helped train and mentor soldiers from all walks of life, guided by the belief that leadership is not about ego, it’s about earning trust, supporting people, and leading by example.​​

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During Operation LASER, Canada’s military response to COVID-19, Jacob served in a leadership role, helping to coordinate logistics and operational support amid national uncertainty. Working closely with public agencies and frontline personnel, he saw firsthand how important preparation, communication, and dependable leadership are during a crisis.

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His military experience also reinforced something deeply personal: strong communities matter. In moments of crisis, whether during floods or the pandemic, Jacob saw ordinary Canadians stepping up to help one another. Neighbours checking on neighbours. Volunteers are showing up. Families supporting families. Those experiences strengthened his belief that public service should always be rooted in compassion, responsibility, and community.

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For Jacob, service did not end when the uniform came off at the end of the day. The military shaped how he approaches leadership in every part of life: stay calm under pressure, listen before acting, take responsibility, and always put the mission and the people depending on you first.

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One of the most meaningful parts of Jacob’s military career was mentoring younger soldiers. He understands that leadership is not about commanding people. It’s about helping others grow, building confidence, and creating a culture where people feel supported and accountable to one another. That same approach is how he wants to serve Ward 8.

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Jacob believes public office should be approached the same way he approached military service: with humility, discipline, and a commitment to serve others before yourself. That’s why he’s running for Ward 8 City Council — not as a stepping stone, but as a long-term commitment to the community he was born and raised in.​

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It’s about showing up when people need help most.

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That same commitment to service continued beyond the military.

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Jacob has spent years working in consulting, community engagement, and public service roles because he believes leadership should always stay connected to real people and real problems, especially as families struggle with rising costs, housing insecurity, and growing homelessness. The concerns residents are raising around affordability and housing are not abstract issues to him. They are personal.

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And that’s why he’s running for Ward 8 City Council.​​

• Not as a stepping stone.

• Not for political ambition.

• And not to climb the ladder.

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He’s running because he believes Hamilton deserves leaders who are rooted here, accountable here, and committed to staying here.

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People are tired of politics that feel disconnected from everyday life.

Jacob understands that frustration.

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Because he’s lived the same pressures many families are facing today.

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His vision for Ward 8 is simple: safer neighbourhoods, affordable communities, responsible leadership, and a city where working families can once again build a future with confidence.

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Most of all, Jacob believes public office should be about service — not self-interest.

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That belief has guided his life.

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And it’s what will guide him as your councillor.

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Why He’s Running

This campaign isn’t about politics.

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It’s about making sure Ward 8 has someone who understands real struggles, shows up, and gets things done.

Jacob believes in this community. He believes in the people who live here. And he believes that with the right leadership, Ward 8 can be safer, more affordable, and a better place to call home.

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For Homeowners

If you own a home in Ward 8, you’ve likely felt the pressure, rising property taxes, concerns about neighbourhood safety, and frustration with city services that don’t always deliver.

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Jacob understands that your home is more than just property; it’s your investment, your stability, and your future.

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He’s focused on:

• Keeping property taxes under control and making sure increases are justified

• Improving basic city services like road maintenance, snow clearing, and infrastructure

• Strengthening neighbourhood safety so families feel secure

• Protecting property values by ensuring smart, responsible development

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Jacob believes homeowners deserve a city that respects their investment and delivers real value.

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For Renters

If you’re renting, you know how tough things have become. Costs keep rising, options feel limited, and it can be hard to plan for the future.

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Jacob has been there—he knows what it’s like to struggle with affordability and housing uncertainty.

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He’s focused on:

• Supporting more housing options so renters have real choices

• Encouraging responsible development that increases supply without overwhelming communities

• Pushing for fair, practical solutions that protect renters while keeping the system balanced

• Making sure the city is part of the solution, not part of the problem

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Jacob believes everyone deserves a safe, stable place to live, and a fair shot at getting ahead.

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For Small Business Owners

Running a small business in Ward 8 isn’t easy. Costs are high, regulations can be frustrating, and it often feels like you’re on your own. Jacob gets it; he’s built and run a consultancy himself.

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He’s focused on:

• Cutting unnecessary red tape that slows businesses down

• Making city processes faster, simpler, and more predictable

• Keeping taxes and fees reasonable so businesses can grow and hire

• Supporting local businesses as the backbone of our community

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Jacob believes small businesses shouldn’t have to fight City Hall just to succeed.

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For Families

Families across Ward 8 are feeling stretched—between rising costs, safety concerns, and trying to build a better future.  Jacob grew up in that reality.

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He’s focused on:

• Keeping costs under control so families can breathe

• Safer streets and stronger communities

• Reliable city services that make daily life easier

• Creating a community where hard work actually leads somewhere

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Jacob believes families deserve a city that works as hard as they do.

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For Seniors

Seniors built this community, and they deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported.

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Jacob is focused on:

• Keeping neighbourhoods safe and accessible

• Ensuring property taxes and living costs remain manageable

• Supporting services that allow seniors to stay in their homes longer

• Making sure City Hall listens to and respects their needs

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Jacob believes seniors deserve dignity, security, and peace of mind.

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For Young People

If you’re trying to get started, finding housing, building a career, or just getting ahead, it can feel like the system isn’t working for you. Jacob understands that frustration.

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He’s focused on:

• Creating more opportunities to live and work in Ward 8

• Supporting housing options that are actually attainable

• Building a community where young people can stay, grow, and succeed

• Making sure your voice is heard in shaping the future of this city

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Jacob believes the next generation deserves real opportunity, not just promises.