Posted May 07, 2020
You have already made a huge impact.
Hundreds of you sent messages to the Hamilton Transportation Task Force, calling on them to endorse light rail transit (LRT). They heard you. Last month, the Task Force made LRT a top recommendation. Now it's up to the Provincial Government to get the project back on track.
While our immediate focus is on the COVID-19 pandemic, governments are already looking at ways to boost the economy once the pandemic is over. In fact, the federal government will fund "shovel-ready" projects that can be implemented quickly and have big economic, social and environmental impact.
Hamilton's LRT is a perfect candidate for federal infrastructure funding!
Our LRT project has been under development since 2008, gone through many feasibility and benefits analyses by multiple organizations, and has an approved environmental assessment. In fact, we were just waiting for the final bids when the project was unexpectedly stopped in December.
In concrete terms, LRT means thousands of jobs during the construction phase (projected to last 3-5 years) and billions in new investment over the lifetime of the system.
Hamilton-born Federal Infrastructure Minister, Catherine McKenna, has said that she would be willing to consider a Hamilton LRT funding request as part of an economic recovery and Federal Liberal Minister Filomena Tassi says she will go to bat for LRT funding.
Locally, the call for a LRT-led recovery is growing. Along with Minister Tassi, supporters now include the Chamber of Commerce, LIUNA, The Hamilton Spectator, the Mayor and some councillors, Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, and the Hamilton Halton Construction Association.
Now it's our turn. We need to make our voices heard once again.
Please fill out the form below to send a strong message to Premier Ford, Transport Minister Mulroney and others, that you support a Hamilton LRT Recovery. Let's get this project back on track and come out of this difficult period stronger than ever as a community!
Thank you. Please stay safe and healthy.
