The city has a $3-billion infrastructure deficit, which means we're falling behind on needed repairs to bridges, pipes and roads. You likely see the deficit reflected in crumbling local streets and increasing water rates and property tax bills.

For in-depth municipal infrastructure promises, check out the Federation of Canadian Municipalities policy tracker site.

Party policy in brief:

Conservatives: promised nearly $6 billion in infrastructure renewal over three years last November, but not specific to municipal projects. They've doled out hundreds of millions for city sewage treatment projects and Randle Reef.

Liberals: have vowed $20 billion over a decade for green infrastructure, including local projects, and "long-term predictability" for funding sources.

NDP: committing $1.5 billion a year via additional gas tax transfers for roads, bridges and water treatment projects;

Greens: $6.4 billion, or one per cent of GST, to municipal infrastructure annually.

The current federal government is hoping to off-load responsibility for the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge and the piers flanking the entrance to Hamilton Harbour. The cash-strapped city doesn't want to inherit any new infrastructure — even if the feds build a new bridge. Cities on both ends of the bridge, however, have long pleaded for safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists who increasingly use the waterfront trail link.

Party policy in brief:

Conservatives: Burlington candidate Mike Wallace said while the federal government wants to get rid of the lift bridge, it would never "download" it unilaterally. The chances of the government spending millions to make the aging bridge more cyclist- and pedestrian-friendly, however, are "slim," he said — unless cities are "willing to partner."

Liberals: Candidate could not respond by press time. The lift bridge has been on the federal give-away list since the days of the last Liberal government.

NDP: Burlington candidate David Laird says the federal government should hold on to the bridge. "Take responsibility for the asset and make it accessible," he said.

Greens: Candidate could not be reached.

Protecting 20,000-plus pensioners caught up in the saga of the imploding steelmaker has become the rallying cry of the election. Hamilton council just passed a unanimous motion calling on the government to take over responsibility for pension and benefit shortfalls. Check out our story on the political jockeying:

Party policy in brief:

Conservatives: have vowed to take U.S. Steel back to court for a second time to ensure the company meets its obligations. But those obligations are set out in a secret deal and the government is taking heat for not making it public.

Liberals: would take a more protective approach to foreign takeovers, improve Canada pension plans and work with province on way to help U.S. Steel retirees.

NDP: would try to work with any buyer of U.S. Steel Canada to shore up benefits and pension payments and make changes to Investment Canada Act to better protect workers.

Greens: would ensure foreign takeovers are better-scrutinized by experts and Parliament.

Anyone remember PFOS? The historical firefighting pollution still lurks underground at Hamilton International Airport — and in the water kilometres downstream in the Welland River — four years after it was discovered.

The city asked the federal government, the former airport owners, to take responsibility for the perfluorooctane sulfonatepollution. So far, no luck.

Party policy in brief:

Conservatives: candidate David Sweet says Transport Canada has committed to studying downstream impacts of the pollution and is co-ordinating with the MOE.

Liberals: candidate Jennifer Stebbing said if elected, she would advocate for the government to work with the province and city to "swiftly find a solution to this ongoing problem."

NDP: Candidate could not be reached.

Green: Candidate David Urquhart said clean water has to be a priority and the party is committed to "working with all levels of government and across party lines for the common good."

Canada Post's plan to replace door-to-door mail delivery with so-called "super-mailboxes" has prompted widespread protest — perhaps nowhere as fervently as in Hamilton. Residents blocked mailbox installations and cheered as council tried to pass a last-minute regulatory bylaw, only to see the courts strike it down. Don't care about the mail? The election may also influence the city's plan to spend tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a court appeal.

Party policy in brief:

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Conservatives: the government has repeatedly said it is won't meddle with the independent Crown corporation's plan to achieve long-term sustainability.

Liberals: will nix the plan to end door-to-door delivery in favour of more review and public consultation on the options.

NDP: Will nix the plan to end door-to-door delivery for more consultation — and will even rip out already-installed super-mailboxes on the Mountain.

Greens: Will nix the plan to end door-to-door delivery.

In Hamilton, we have a waiting list for affordable housing of 5,700 individuals or families. Meanwhile, the city's social housing agency falls behind on capital repairs by $16 million every year on a stable of apartments and townhouses with an average age of 40 years. For a fulsome look at party promises on housing, read this: at onpha.on.ca

Party policy in brief:

Conservatives: most new announcements on housing have focused on making home ownership and renovation easier for everyone.

Liberals: national strategy to invest in seniors and affordable housing via a $20-billion fund for "social infrastructure." Also, tax incentives for renovation of social housing.

NDP: $2.2 billion for new social housing over four years, $500 million in incentives to spur new affordable construction and rentals.

Greens: specific national housing plan, 20,000 new social housing units per year, new rent supplements and shelter assistance.

Hamilton just scored more than $1.3 billion in provincial cash for LRT and GO Transit over the next eight years. But it also has a north-south rapid transit line on its wish-list and $300 million in unfunded conventional bus expansion plans.

Party policy in brief:

Conservatives: creating annual fund for transit projects that will eventually reach $1 billion a year. Close to home, St. Catharines candidate Rick Dykstra says a Tory government would pay one-third of the cost to expand GO Transit to Niagara.

Liberals: $20 billion over 10 years for public transit, both new construction and repairs.

NDP: $1.3 billion a year in transit funding over two decades.

Green: sign long-term transit funding contracts with cities and redirect highway expansion dollars to LRT and similar projects.