Who is Scott?

Rooted in Cambridge

Scott Hamilton is a city councillor, community leader, and working father who believes Cambridge works best when leadership is practical, accountable, and focused on the people it serves.

Scott moved to Cambridge in 2016 and is proud to call it his family’s forever home. He and his wife Katie are raising two young children here, juggling work, family, and rising costs facing so many households today. Scott understands firsthand the pressure families feel, from housing affordability to the cost of living, and believes city government must make decisions that respect taxpayers and strengthen quality of life.

First elected to Cambridge City Council in 2020, Scott has focused his work on the issues residents raise most often: affordability, economic growth, infrastructure, and community wellbeing. He is known for a thoughtful, solutions-focused approach and for bringing people together to move ideas into action.

A man with light brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, smiling, seated on a beige wooden bench with a neutral tone wall in the background. He's dressed in a black button-up shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers with a green Nike swoosh. His hands are clasped together, resting on his lap.

Experience That Delivers

Scott brings a rare combination of lived experience, academic achievement, and community leadership to public service. Born in the small farming town of Tottenham, Ontario, he excelled in both sports and academics. After working landscaping and retail jobs to pay for school at Carleton University, he went on to earn a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Oxford (UK) and completed his PhD at the London School of Economics (LSE) in the UK. After returning to Canada, he was awarded the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship and taught politics, public policy, and environmental issues at Wilfrid Laurier University and the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo.

Today, as Senior Director of Philanthropy at the United Way, Scott works alongside community organizations addressing some of our region’s most pressing challenges, from housing and homelessness to mental health, addictions, and food insecurity. That work has given him first-hand insight into the issues many residents face, and the partnerships and local knowledge needed to help tackle them effectively.

A group of runners and kids in colorful race shirts at a race event, with historic buildings and trees in the background, under a sunny sky.
A young man with dark brown hair and a beard is smiling and sitting with an older man in a wheelchair. The older man has gray hair and is wearing a maroon shirt with a blue hospital gown. The young man's arm is around the older man's shoulder, and they are holding hands. The background shows a beige wall with a framed picture and a white hand sanitizer dispenser.

Leadership Grounded In Community

Above all, Scott believes good leadership is about listening, building trust, and delivering practical results that improve people’s lives.

That belief shapes both his public service and his life outside politics. Scott is an avid runner, community volunteer and proud dad who can often be found biking local trails or shooting hoops with his kids. Recently, Scott and his wife Katie completed the 2026 Rome and Toronto Marathons. As a huge basketball fan, Scott is a regular at local KW Titans games and has championed the installation of neighbourhood courts during his time on council.

A happy family of four outdoors in cold weather, with a crowd in the background and cloudy sky. The family includes a woman, a man, a young girl with glasses, and a younger girl sitting on the man's shoulders, all smiling and dressed warmly.

“Scott understands firsthand the pressure families feel, from housing affordability to the cost of living.”

Why Run?

“Cambridge is where my wife and I are raising our two children. It is our home, and I care deeply about its future. As a working parent, community leader, and city councillor, I understand the real pressures people are facing: rising costs, growth that needs to be managed well, and the need for a City Hall that works for residents. I’m running for Mayor because I believe Cambridge needs practical, steady leadership focused on meeting those challenges and moving our city forward. We have enormous potential, and I believe we can build a city that is more affordable, more connected, and full of opportunity. I’m running to offer leadership rooted in trust, shaped by progress, and guided by a belief that Cambridge does its best when we move forward together.”

A man in a black tank top with a red maple leaf and the words 'Cambridge Ontario' runs in a marathon, surrounded by other runners on a city street.

Does Scott Have a Political Affiliation?

No. Scott has not been a member of any political party since 2019, and he is proud to have members of every major political party – Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, Greens – working alongside him on every municipal campaign – including this one!

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