Statement by Jonathan Dalton

I have followed the LRT debate in Hamilton with great interest since the formation of Hamilton Light Rail in 2007. I attended several of the City's public meetings and have written Council several times to express support. It's hard to believe it's been the better part of a decade and City and provincial leaders are still going in circles on the issue. It has been so long, many of them may even legitimately have forgotten their own studies and votes in support of LRT.

The facts haven't changed. Light rail in Hamilton will be a much deserved improvement for thousands of transit riders and a crucial investment in the future of our city. The HSR has been allowed to languish since the 1980s while our population has grown, gas prices have risen, people have begun moving back to urban areas and other cities everywhere have grown their transit ridership. Hamilton must stop planning and living in the past and move towards a 21st century transportation system. For our city of over half a million people, this means a higher level of transit than buses.

I live and work in the downtown area and do not own a vehicle. Doing so means more money is spent locally rather than wasted on ongoing car expenses. I live this way by choice not necessity, and there are many others who prefer to live this way. This potential is wasted when our city refuses to invest in higher order transit. People will instead move to other cities which provide diverse transportation options.

Four years ago, Hamilton was at the front of the line for investment in LRT. Thanks to totally absent leadership, we have since accomplished nothing while Toronto received billions in provincial funding.

Whether or not we deserve it, Hamilton has been given a second chance with the majority election win of the same government that promised us LRT funding not one, not two but three times. Please don't blow the chance again.

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