All Statements of Support
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kevin Empey says,
Please advance transit and our community. I live in Dundas so will not benefit personally. But Hamilton needs this investment. Please don't vote to try and turn the restricted funds into somethings else. Like Toronto, Transit will continue to slip. regards Kevin
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Susan Yarwood says,
For the physical ( reduction in CO2 emissions) economic ( new jobs, new businesses, new tax base) and psychological ( "look, we're finally moving FORWARD!") health of our city
LRT is crucial. -
Carol Shields says,
LRT, and the funding associated with it, is an investment in our communities.
First, it can no longer be denied that we must do whatever we can for our planet without delay. Unless public transit is rapid, it won't get cars off the roads.
Secondly, in a city as sprawled as Hamilton, we need to make efficient transportation to jobs and essential services a priority. This contributes to equity as well as convenience. Don't build the city for those who can easily afford housing and cars; build it for those who provide the infrastructure of our daily lives-- the people we have so recently (and so late) learned to appreciate.
While I recognize that there will be negative effects on constituents, particularly during construction, and that we must be mindful with timing in a post-COVID situation, this is short term pain for long term gain. We cannot risk the short-sightedness that has too often characterized the City's approach to infrastructure over the last 40 years (think of our sewer systems). It is also a hopeful project that could (and should) provide local jobs at an important time.
I urge Council to make the right long-term decision for the future of the City and its people. LRT is the right way to go.
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Mark Darovny says,
This project can be transformative for the city in many ways. Yes, it will cost money to run an LRT... but it would also be costly to run a broader BRT network, and it will be so for sorely needed bus transit improvements in suburban areas of the city as well (which has needed to happen for years)
The development impact is oft mentioned, and how it will raise the tax base. But also consider that by aligning the city planning with the increased capacity along the city's busiest transit corridor, we may need less greenfield land for future residential growth. This will present a SAVINGS in building, maintaining, and operating infrastructure and services across square kilometres of area. No need to build and service as many roads, or sewers and water pipes, or electrical wires, etc. No need to run garbage and recycling trucks across a larger and larger area, or increase policing, fire fighting, schools, etc. to meet new greenfield demand.
There is a bigger picture here that LRT serves to improve. This should be part of the conversation regarding the case for the project!
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Tim Anderson says,
Seriously. This should be a no-brainer. Please make the right choice and accept the funding
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Jana Kumar says,
City councillors do you job and approve this LRT. This is what you have been elected and paid for by the people of Hamilton city!!!
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Sharon Maga says,
Please support LRT.
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Terrance Odette says,
I believe strongly that as a city we must build for everyone's future. An LRT is a permanent transportation structure that will connect us all, no matter where in Hamiton we live, or our socio-economic background. Enough talking. It's time to start building.
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Kurt Howlett says,
I fully support LRT in Hamilton and believe that work on the project should commence as soon as possible.
Kurt Howlett
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Klaas Walma says,
LRT has so many upsides not just for the downtown but for Hamilton as a whole and the entire planet.
It will spur development downtown which will in turn increase the city's tax base. It will provide easy access to most of the lower city without adding to traffic. It will increase foot traffic for merchants along the route. That will not only increase employment and tax revenues, it will also increase property values and attract new residents to Hamilton's lower city. Finally, the reduction in cars on lower city streets will help Hamilton, the province and the country reduce GHG emission thus mitigating climate change.
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Taylor Rennie says,
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lift the city of Hamilton into a world-class city. Having put roots down in lower Hamilton, the LRT would be a welcome addition. I have seen the profoundly positive impact the Ottawa and Waterloo LRTs have had on those communities and know the same result will be had here. Please get this project started so that we can start enjoying the benefits!
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PETER SCOTT says,
A $3.4B investment in our future is being offered and Hamilton Council still has members that don't support it...crazy!! It's time for real leadership and city building. This is a legacy project - let's get this done and move our city forward.
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Janice Brown says,
The economic spinoff with new jobs and new infrastructure and added benefit of a new transit system are my reasons for asking City Council to support this money!
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James Quinn says,
Please move forward with the LRT, but protect our population from losing their homes to gentrification. We must ensure that affordable (to folks that suffer from poverty) housing is maintained or increased along the LRT route!
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Dwayne Green says,
Have you ever stood on King and James waiting for a Bus? It is dusty, dirty and buses stink bad. This offer is a no-brainer. Want to re-develop the core and the Pier and the McMaster area with more innovation-based industries? This is the ticket.
Don't embarrass our City and its people by missing this opportunity.
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Ratka Skorucak says,
It is about time to stop wasting time, money that started many years ago and finish the project.
LRT in partnership with Province is great opportunity and investment for the future of Hamilton. Growing Hamilton need changes and this one is one of the best.
Best regards,
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John Scime says,
Hello All,
As a resident in Ancaster that may not necessary utilize the LRT line,I understand the intrinsic benefits. A few of the benefits of economic growth, increased density in the geographic locations that can handle it, and the necessary upgraded infrastructure can finally showcase our city.
Some cannot look past thier front lawns to understand how this benefits the city as a whole for years to come.
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John Willms says,
I fully support the City of Hamilton and it's councilors moving forward with the LRT. If we wish to see Hamilton move forward in the next 50 years LRT is a must have for the community. As well as being better for the environment over the long run. Please help Hamilton to be all it can be by saying YES to the LRT.
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JACOB STIEF says,
This is an opportunity for this great city to show leadership, forward thinking, and invest in its future.
It would be hugely irresponsible to turn down this massive infusion of capital and provide a much needed jolt to our local economy while providing a whole other host of long term benefits.
Great things to come here, and the LRT is part of that. Let's go!!
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Mike Lock says,
We need LRT.
If we turn down the funds it will just go to a different community -
Teresa LaFave says,
Please DO NOT turn down this momentous opportunity for our city. Say yes to LRT, Say yes to Hamilton, Say yes to Hamiltonians. Say yes to our collective future and growth.
Thank you,
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Dan Evans says,
For the future of the city, please accept this amazing $3.4B investment.
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Marina Joseph says,
This is my third appeal email. Everything I said the first two times. While this is extremely important, so is our time. Approve the LRT to improve city transportation and traffic congestion, better the environment and as an asset to increasing commerce.
Thank you.
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Lee Edward McIlmoyle says,
My name is Lee. I'm a former community leader and social activist, and a 50 year resident of Hamilton, Ontario. I have been an early supporter of the LRT initiative in Hamilton, and a vocal critic of the ill-informed, reactionary, parochial tactics and mindset of the organized resistance to this much-needed infrastructure project. We have allowed some very classist--and in all likelihood racist--status quo attitudes to dominate the conversation in this city for far, far too long.
If we had to wear our allegiances and sponsorships on our sleeves in lieu of our hearts, we'd all receive very different treatment than we do in our society, and where one stands on higher level public transportation is a strong indicator of where one's true allegiances lay, and what one's attitudes toward residents who appear not to be from your socio-economic background might be.
As I've said in a previous statement, the NIMBYism that keeps our society in permanent deadlock must be swept aside to make room for growth, improved services, and fair & balanced access to all of the city's amentiies for all residents, regardless of our bank balance. -
Jonathon White says,
I am excited to hear that the LRT will be going through downtown Hamilton. A good public transit system will help the working class and students to move freely in greater Hamilton. Combined with the bike routes, this will contribute to cleaner air in the lower city due to a reduced need for private vehicles.
A positive side effect is that it will open up a larger area of Hamilton for students of McMaster University to seek housing relaxing the pressure on the Westdale region.
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Rick Roberts says,
I am whole heartedly in support of the LRT in Hamilton. It feels like a bold and confident step into the future.
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Shawn ODonnell says,
It’s unfathomable that we are still having this discussion. It is very close minded to not see the obvious benefits to the city. Let’s move forward with this exciting opportunity.
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David Coren says,
It is a critical piece of infrastructure that Hamilton needs if we are to continue to grow our City both Residentially and Commercially
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Mike Brook says,
I have seen first hand the impact of LRTs in Lyon and Montpellier in France. In both cases, like Hamilton, those cities covered over, and then reinstalled trams. In both those cities the trams were so successful, after one line was installed, that additional tram routes were added (Lyon has a metro, but the tram supplements that larger infrastructure, including a tramway all the way to Lyon airport!). We can’t uber our way into the future, and buses work best, in my view, when they act as feeders to high density city people movers. Look at downtown in the last 10 years BEFORE things went nuts in the real estate market. Increased densitification is coming, and I really think the LRT is the best way to accommodate that. This is a once in a generation opportunity and we are going to look foolish if we say no, at least in my opinion. I strongly support this initiative. Best wishes, Mike
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John Coakley says,
I strongly support bringing LRT to Hamilton with no further delays.
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