All Statements of Support
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Theresa Blanken says,
Many successful, thriving large cities in the world have LRT systems. Let’s be progressive and take advantage of the huge amount of $ that Hamilton is being given. It won’t likely happen again!
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Allan Avery says,
This could be the beginning of a positive transportation revolution in the city of Hamilton. With the go ahead of this vital project, the ground work is laid for an eventual north/south LRT route. Ultimately, many years down the route, I envision a mountain east/west LRT route as well as a north/south connecting link in the east end. Hopefully, council has the courage and foresight to accept the gov't offers !!
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Allan Avery says,
This could be the beginning of a positive transportation revolution in the city of Hamilton. With the go ahead of this vital project, the ground work is laid for an eventual north/south LRT route. Ultimately, many years down the route, I envision a mountain east/west LRT route as well as a north/south connecting link in the east end. Hopefully, council has the courage and foresight to accept the gov't offers !!
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Marie Zilik says,
Fantastic news for Hamilton. Let’s do this! Let’s get started as soon as possible...It’s time!
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Eric Humphrey says,
I live on Spadina Ave. in Toronto.we had a Light Rail line built on our street in 1997.It was the best thing that ever happened.Quieter,smoother rideing,high capacity vehicles. Far superior to busses.It greatly revitilized the streetscape and promoted new/re developement,as it will undoubtably do in Hamilton.You've been given a second chance, please don't drop the ball.
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Shane M says,
It's time for our council to properly invest in this city. The investment by the provincial and federal governments should be more than enough to persuade you to support this project, and if it's not, you're only serving yourself, your out of touch ideals and your own self-gratitude.
It's time you (and I'm looking at you anti-LRT councillors) face the music and reality that you can no longer find a valid reason not to support this gift of a project. If you have any political fortitude, or spine, you will support this project as it creates 7,000 jobs, grows a stagnant economy, and is the start of a citywide network. Quit holding the city back, and use your voice to make it the inclusive, progressive and modern city you claim it to be.Your kids, grandkids and future generations will thank you for this investment in a city that has always been left out. That's no longer the case with this.
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Norm Watson says,
Although I live in Mount Hope and the LRT will not directly effect me, I believe that it will revitalize the city centre over the next 10 - 20 years
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Andrew Pettit says,
I have been a long-time supporter of the Hamilton LRT project based on the economic, environmental and quality of life impacts. Most notable are 3 factors:
(1) The renewal of other infrastructure systems tied into the project (water, sewer), that Hamilton will otherwise eventually need to foot the bill to replace; and
(2) The density LRT will support and the impact that will have on our currently out-of-balance tax structure (e.g., too heavily skewed to residents based on a history of high-cost-per-service-offered sprawl and industry decline); and
(3) We either have a transit system in the core of the city (to be expanded elsewhere in the future, but we have to start somewhere!) to allow for the growth that is to come, or we will be lost and left behind in gridlock of our own making.
And that was before COVID and the economic recovery needed!! And before the Federal government agreed to join in, bringing the total Fed/Prov contribution to $3.4 billion!!!!!! I can't add enough "!!!!!!".
For council to be anything but unequivocal in our excitement and support for this project will go down as a legacy of gross failure. Alternatively, to embrace and build it will be a city-building legacy the likes of which few leaders ever have opportunity to dream of.
So yes, get all the details sorted, understand the costs, plan around the implications, but don't play games with the opportunity: Make our interest and support 100% clear to the Federal and Provincial partners at the table.
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Roli Pogoson says,
Hamilton needs it! Hamilton deserves it!
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ALAN JUDSON says,
Please use this money to build an LRT. I've been waiting so long for one.
It's been so frustrating watching this project get cancelled. -
Richard Beauchamp says,
The positives associated with developing the LRT for Hamilton outweigh any of the ambiguities (e.g., maintenance costs) especially when it means a huge amount of road and sewer infrastructure will be updated in the process, along with increased public housing.
It behooves us to look further down the road as well: this first stage of LRT (east-west) is unlikely to be the last, so eventually much of the City will directly benefit.
To my knowledge, every jurisdiction that has introduced LRT has experienced economic growth as a by-product of this transportation strategy - why would Hamilton be any different in this regard? -
Ronald Jenkins says,
I am very excited about the prospect of LRT being built and operating in my city of Hamilton! Hamilton has seen tremendous resurgence in the past few years and improvements, developments and opportunities keep coming which is great for everyone. Personally as a senior I would use the LRT a lot for shopping and other needs. Not having a car this would be very useful. I can only see benefits fir this project to be accepted for students and all walks of life.
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Mike & Dianne Lethbridge says,
Infrastructure, affordable housing, economic growth of our city, that is why we need the LRT and the backing of both the Federal and the Provincial governments. Is our city going to sit and decay or are we going to invest to become a first class city in which to raise a family.
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Phil Van Impe says,
Stop playing around and get the LRT stamped for approval ASAP
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Justin Sharp says,
Building the LRT isn't just a boon to the city of Hamilton, but to everyone that will want to visit and not require the use of a car.
Re-establishing a LRT system will allow an unprecedented amount of freedom Hamilton hasn't seen in generations -
Rafi Metti says,
People are desperate to get change in the core of downtown Hamilton plus with these low interest rates people could afford to live elsewhere during construction. At the moment Hamilton is extremely expensive but having a train like this could bring in new revenues and bring people closer to their jobs. Hope to see this come together smoothly and no issues or delays
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Barbara Howe says,
The construction of the LRT will also repair outdated infrastructure along King and replace the Longwood bridge. Much needed work that the city will not be “on the hook” for.
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Chris Arnold says,
This is a definite step forward for Hamilton and a rejuvenation of our downtown core. I grew up in Hamilton and that core area was the heartbeat of this city. It has since changed to become viewed as second class which is wrong. I believe this is a move towards future technology and allowing access for many people who would not otherwise have it as easily.
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Matthew Kalinauskas says,
Hi there,
My name is Matthew Kalinauskas. My family and I have been living in Hamilton for the last 4 years. We’ve grown to really love our community and this city.
The ups and downs with this LRT have been a roller coaster of a story to follow, but we are very much in support of this project and we always have been. It makes so much sense to us and with the additional funds being contributed by both the federal and provincial governments I feel like it would be silly to turn it down.
Plus, in the interest of boosting the economy in a post-pandemic economy, how fortunate will our city be with a project like this creating good jobs and improvements to our city’s infrastructure!?
This project should definitely be approved by city council. It makes so much sense.
Thank you.
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Bill Elliot says,
LRT supports suburban communities:
- replaces aging infrastructure in the downtown core which otherwise would be paid by Hamilton taxpayers only
- provides economic uplift and increased tax base in the core which supports the whole city
- eases development demands in suburbs by providing alternative housing options in the core
- protects valuable farmland from urban sprawl
- creates jobs for all Hamiltonians, including suburban companies and employees
- establishes a "backbone" for BLAST which allows for further addition and planning for citywide transportation network
- is a placemaking and community builder that attracts skilled talent and value added companies to expand and locate in all of Hamilton (Waterdown examples - L3 Harris / Stryker)
- Hamilton taxpayers have contributed to LRT through senior levels of government in Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo Region, Mississauga and Brampton projects and we will receive funding through LRT back to Hamilton
- it is a shovel ready project which has more economical benefits long term than other modes such as BRT -
Patricia Reid says,
I strongly believe the LRT is necessary. It is apparent that those that oppose the LRT has not been a regular bus rider. They need to ride a bus with walkers, baby carriages, perhaps a wheel chair on board. Trying to maneuver through this quagmire sometimes is impossible.
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Karen Bird says,
Having lived and worked in cities with LRT systems (Grenoble, France; Sydney, Australia; Minneapolis, MN) we know the transformative impact this will have for Hamilton's economy and our climate. Bright, spacious and clean, modern LRT systems appeal to a far wider range of users than buses and streetcars. For example, they are especially inviting to short-term visitors and tourists for simplicity and ease of access. What was most striking to us was how readily our elderly parents took to LRT when they were visiting us - it is far easier than hailing a cab, taking the bus, or renting a car in an unfamiliar city. Hamilton's size and growth potential makes it an ideal city for LRT - let's get shovels in the ground and move our city forward!
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Donald Cameron says,
Please vote yes to bring Hamilton back into this century. We have been falling back for years
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Martin Lessard says,
I am very much in support of this LRT project. Hamilton desperately needs to start building public transit infrastructure now. LRT is the right choice to provide dependable, quick, and affordable public transportation for our citizens. Please make the right choice on June 2nd, so that we can get started on building better transit for Hamiltonians.
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Jesse Gallant says,
Hamilton absolutely needs this, let’s move Hamilton into the future and not keep it in the past.
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Elly Bowen says,
Hamilton cannot afford to be left behind. While some might argue that we do not need LRT now, we WILL as we continue to grow. Please support LRT - do not lose this opportunity to do the right thing.
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John MacMillan says,
It’s great to hear the federal government supports lift rail in Hamilton. It’s a wonderful opportunity. I urge all members of Hamilton City Council to endorse this project and investment in the city’s future.
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Deborrah Sherman says,
Even though I am not, and am unlikely to become, a user of public transit nor a dweller on the LRT route, I am in favour of LRT because I want my city to be strong. I know that this project will bring much needed upgrades to a deteriorating underground infrastructure, construction jobs that will help the city and workers mitigate the post-pandemic economic devastation, will attract new businesses, new people and new housing along the route which will in turn increase the city's tax base. The city will only be stronger for it.
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Cesare Di Donato says,
As a life-long Hamilton resident living on the Mountain and an employee of a not for profit organization in the downtown, I want to emphatically urge City Council to approve the latest LRT proposal. Not only is it important for an environmentally safe transit system, it is an important first step to improving public transit across the whole city. The first step has to be taken, this one is going east-west, the next will be north-south. And remember, maintenance costs will be required for any other option.
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Kathy Garneau says,
Let's get our city ready for the future. The time is now to invest in LRT so we can have smoother, more reliable and earth-friendly transportation for all Hamiltonians. Let's do it!
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