Statement by Matthew Nash

I support provincially funded LRT project. Rapid transit will deliver enhanced prosperity, environmental sustainability and improved quality of life in our city which is on the verge of bursting with potential.

First, this project will have the largest impact on employment, income and GDP during construction and over the long term. LRT will create jobs: 5793 person years of employment in the short term and 187 person years in the long term. The BRT option - which will likely never get built anyways – would generate less than a third of this. Second, it will boost our GDP in the long term by $15M, more than 4X the BRT option. Overall, the LRT has a benefit cost ratio of 1:1. This is a conservative figure, meaning this estimate is likely downplaying the benefits. So, at the very least, what we invest in, we will get at least an equal benefit. Is this not a clear win-win scenario? We don’t have to pay for the initial 800M cost, yet we stand to gain the resultant economic benefits.

The environmental benefits are critical to cleaning the locally polluted air. Of all the options, LRT is the most effective in attracting people out of their cars and reducing car usage. This project will take out a staggering 8532 tonnes of GHGs annually which equates to a further nearly $3M economic benefit. If we are serious about making Hamilton a safe, healthy, and pedestrian-friendly place, LRT is the clearest choice.

Finally, our quality of life will be improved because not only will the air be cleaner, but more people will be able to move more efficiently. The LRT – which has almost double the capacity of BRT - will result in a 26 minute travel time end to end. This is equal to that of a car and nearly 10 minutes quicker than the BRT option. One of the biggest frustrations with busses is they aren’t reliable, they aren’t fast and they aren’t easily accessible. The LRT overcomes this by providing the fastest, most comfortable, and easily accessible mode of transport.

Overall, if you have read the consultant’s report, you’d know that LRT is a win for the prosperity, environmental sustainability and improved quality of life of our city. As property values rise due to enhanced economic conditions brought about by the LRT, all of Hamilton rises with it. Based on the evidence, not on emotion, please say yes to this once in a generation opportunity to build our city right.

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