MPs, MPPs help beat the drum for city’s LRT
Several indicate their support
Seven Hamilton MPs and MPPs have come out swinging for the $1-billion provincially-funded LRT project.
But three others — David Sweet, Bob Bratina, Tim Hudak — declined to sign the letter of support released Tuesday by Mayor Fred Eisenberger.
Those calling on city council to reassert it’s commitment to the contentious project are:
New Democrat MPs David Christopherson and Scott Duvall, Liberal MPP Ted McMeekin, and NDP MPPs Andrea Horwath, Paul Miller and Monique Taylor.
In a separate more cautiously-worded letter, Liberal MP Filomena Tassi said she supports previous council resolutions that chose LRT “as a way forward for improved transit infrastructure in our great and thriving city.”
Eisenberger is clearly pleased the majority of senior government reps back the project, especially since wavering council support means a new vote confirming its commitment has been put off till fall.
The endorsements comes on the heels of last week’s support from seven past mayors and regional chairs.
“I think it’s important for people to know how all the elected representative view this significant investment in the city of Hamilton,” Eisenberger said, adding it’s also important to know who was “reluctant or unwilling” to sign the letter.
The signees believe LRT will attract new investment and jobs, create “significant economic uplift” for the entire city, and help fight climate change by reducing carbon emission.
They acknowledge council has “legitimate questions” and appreciate its “vigilance” but call on it to reaffirm its commitment.
Of the three who didn’t sign, Hudak, Conservative MPP for Niagara West-Glanbrook, says he’s never supported the project, including when he was party leader.
“It’s not been a project that I thought was in the best interest of Hamilton or the province.”
Hudak says Hamilton deserves its share of transportation funding, but he’d prefer to see the money invested in local highway improvements, roads and expanded GO transit.
Sweet, Conservative MP for Flamborough-Glanbrook, didn’t sign because he doesn’t believe in commenting on political issues Ottawa has no direct involvement with.
“That’s just the way I’ve been since I was elected and I just didn’t see any reason to change at this time.”
Sweet says he’s not passing judgment on other MPs; it’s a question of personal principles for him.
Bratina was unavailable. But Jesse Shea, executive assistant to the Liberal MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, says the former mayor didn’t sign because he doesn’t want to influence council’s final vote.
“There are questions left to be answered, so that’s the reason he didn’t sign it. While these questions are still up in the air, he doesn’t want to influence council or try to influence council in any direction, He’d rather just support the decision council makes in the end.”
Shea denies social media chatter that Bratina — who was no fan of LRT as mayor — has been canvassing against the project. He believes the rumours stem from a recent letter from Bratina in The Spectator noting there are questions about the route and the city’s immediate transit needs.
“LRT advocates were definitely upset about the letter, so I feel it was just something that came from that.”
Meanwhile, NDP leader and former city councillor Horwath is worried that after receiving the LRT funding requested by the previous council, this council is now going back and forth on it.
“Big changes like this are hard to take and deal with. They’re challenging for folks, but I think at the end of the day other communities do this kind of thing and Hamilton can do it too.”
Horwath hopes to hear more pro-side voices raised. She’s bound to get her wish. A poster campaign by community activist Graham Crawford has now collected about 270 logos from Hamilton businesses and community organizations endorsing LRT.
Eisenberger calls the collective show of support “amazing.” Crawford says it isn’t over yet. “It’s definitely ongoing. I have no intention of shutting it down.”
Andrew Dreschel’s commentary appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. adreschel@thespec.com 905-526-3495 @AndrewDreschel