Featured Statement

The LRT is a project that will build the whole city. Beyond the jobs generated in building it, one finds another quarter century of good paying trades work in the redevelopment and intensification that will occur along the line.

It is also a project that makes sense in a dollars and cents perspective as it provides a chance to replace the ageing infrastructure along the route, providing a large pay-off for the city in addition to adding higher order transit.

Finally, the province's own growth plans make clear that Hamilton's growth will have to happen through densification, infill and the repurposing of existing land. The LRT is a project that will help achieve those goals, and so sets the basis for our city's future prosperity.

I have to say, when the LRT was first proposed years ago, I was sceptical. But I have been persuaded by the economic, efficiency and city-building case for it. It disappoints me that Council keeps trying to find ways to backpedal on this project, rather than investing the energy to ensure it makes the largest contribution possible to the city-building goals that we share.