LRT FLIP-FLOP

Coun. Merulla says she just wanted to make sure the city gets the cash

Why did Horwath change position on $1B of LRT money? Could it be hometown loyalty? //

Why did NDP Leader Andrea Horwath suddenly change her party’s position on LRT to say Hamilton can use the $1 billion on other transit-related projects if council chooses?

That’s the most intensely local question the provincial election campaign has stirred up to date.

Since making her controversial comments to The Spectator editorial board on May 17, people have been trying to figure out what political advantage Horwath is chasing.

Is the Hamilton Centre MPP trying to undercut the support that the Progressive Conservatives may have gained by Leader Doug Ford’s earlier promise that the city can spend the $1 billion on any infrastructure project it wants?

Or is there another strategy at work?

Coun. Sam Merulla, a friend and political ally of Horwath’s since their time together on city council in the early 2000s, believes it’s more about hometown loyalty than strategy.

Merulla, a strong supporter of LRT, immediately called Horwath on her cellphone after picking up on The Spec story and the resulting social media convulsions.

When Merulla asked Horwath why she changed her position, he says she replied that if council drops the LRT ball moving forward, she was just not willing to have the city go without transit funding.

“I don’t think she’s prepared to do that to her own city,” Merulla says. “That’s a good thing, not a bad thing. The bad thing is if council drops the ball.”

“From her perspective she’s not going to let council’s failure allow the city to lose out on any of the funding for public transit, and that’s an honourable thing and I don’t think anyone should criticize her for it.”

The problem for shocked LRT supporters is Horwath’s change of heart means opponents can now look to both a prospective Progressive Conservative and NDP government for an escape hatch if this or the new council elected after the October municipal election turns its back on light rail. The difference is the Tories say the LRT money can be used for any infrastructure project; the NDP stipulate it must be transit related.

Merulla is well aware of the implications. “I think what people are up in arms about is the message that we have an option and the concern about council killing it.”

Personally, Merulla doesn’t think council will make that “irresponsible decision” given how far along the project is. Metrolinx officially pegs spending at $65 million with another $28 million dedicated for future spending.

Still, Horwath knew she had rocked both LRT and NDP supporters. The day after her comments went public, she released a damage-control statement reaffirming her undying support for LRT and promising to “fight like hell to make it happen.”

But the reality is, the O-ring connecting LRT to the NDP’s “Change for the Better” platform has been blown. Pages 60 and 61 unequivocally state that the NDP will build Hamilton’s LRT “right away” and that “waffling on this project equals more delays on this project — and Hamilton can’t wait any longer.” Clearly, that no longer applies.

During the editorial board, Horwath argued it’s up to the municipality to decide what transit system it wants, not the provincial government. Asked if that means the $1 billion would be there if council switched from LRT to, say, bus rapid transit and funding the city’s presently unfunded $300 million 10-year local transit strategy, she said yes.

Asked if there is a point at which she would say too much money has already been spent on LRT to change, she tossed it back in the hands of council.

“I would hope that the municipal decision makers would be responsible in terms of switching tracks, pardon the pun,” Horwath said, adding it’s not the premier’s responsibility to dictate local decisions.

“I mean, you have to draw the line and acknowledge that these folks get elected at the local level to make the local decisions and with the municipal election coming that might be one of the ballot items that people are thinking about with their candidates.”

Say what you will about Horwath’s flip-flop, she’s got the ballot box piece right.