All Statements of Support
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Deborrah Sherman says,
Unbelievable that your government would do this to Hamilton. Even though I would not likely ever be a user of the LRT due to my location and age, I know that it is the right choice for the economic and ecologic future of the city. There seems to be no logic or process to this decision.
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Gord McNaughton says,
Build Hamilton's LRT.
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Chris Ewing-Weisz says,
I am stunned and appalled that promised funds have been withdrawn after our city had finalized its decision to proceed with this important infrastructure project.
Just because shovels were not yet in the ground does not mean the project was not underway. Expropriations and other preparatory steps were well advanced, and a clear timeline was in place and being followed.
Please do not pull the rug out from under us: for both economic and social reasons, it is important that this project proceed. Withdrawing support at this late date is unconscionable, and short-sighted in the extreme.
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Monique Deveaux says,
This decision by the Ford government to break its promise on delivering the LRT shows a complete lack of respect for the democratic will of the citizens of the city. It's based on false, disingenuous budgeting, and reflects a disregard for future development of the city. Hamilton can't transition to greener transportation and a more livable downtown without the LRT!
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Lilly Noble says,
Climate emergency. Let's get on it.
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Carleigh Dowdall says,
It is very apparent that there has been a miscalculation here. Its critical to the development of Hamilton and its Neighborhoods that this Project is supported. If Hamilton is truly a partner in the GTHA please reconsider the Provinces position and look at workarounds so that we have a rail line along the already identified alignment. Whether Light Rail or Streetcar lets progress on some form of clean transportation.
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Payrick Wingert says,
Bring back the Hamilton LRT
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Trieu Nguyen says,
Please reverse your decision and invest in our future.
Highways and roads investment is not transformational.
Hamilton needs more.
Trieu
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Eddie Matteliano says,
As a business owner on King St. I am for the LRT. It’s benefits far out way it’s deficiencies.
Doug Ford honour your word to the people of Hamilton and get the LRT back on track. Get it done. -
Michael Majcher says,
Dear Premier Ford.
I hope you can help rectify a very big mistake that’s been made with the cancellation of Hamilton's LRT. This large transit project was having a big, positive effect on this city, and has contributed greatly to the come-back that’s being going on here. However with the cancellation of this large city building project it’s going to have a large and detrimental effect on Hamilton.Over and over again, the majority of Hamiltonians have confirmed that they want to see this project go ahead. So, clearly, most people understand the benefits that come with having this higher order of transit in our city. The LRT was to be the spine of our transit ‘BLAST’ network that blankets the whole greater Hamilton area. But without a well-functioning and capable mainline to that network, there would be major concerns for how effective the rest of the BLAST network could be.
The greater Hamilton area is projected to grow by over 40% by the year 2041 to a population of 780,000. And the city is provincially mandated to have at least 50% of the housing to accommodate that growth take place within already built up areas. The LRT running through the center of the city was attracting high rise development that was making it much more likely that the city would not only achieve its required 50% inner city housing development, but surpass it. People and businesses want to be located along the line of an LRT transit option…...much more than any other type of transit. Without the LRT, far fewer high-rises will be built, and that could lead to more sprawl beyond current city limits in trying to accommodate the expected growth. And the property tax revenue that would have come with those high rise buildings will also be less with fewer buildings being built, which affects all Hamilton homeowners negatively.
Please, Premier Ford, Minister Mulroney made a mistake here but you can fix it. It's not too late to do the right thing for the people of Hamilton. Hamilton has done the hard work. All we're asking for is fair treatment as compared to Mississauga. Let the bid process finish. If the final bids come in over budget, scale back the project and or ask the Federal Government to help. Let's explore every option to get this transformative investment in economic development back on track so Hamilton can really be "open for business" and help drive Ontario forward.
Mike Majcher
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Erin Lepischak says,
The downtown core is a vibrant community. LRT provides access and expanded economic opportunities. It provides transit that is easy for people with mobility challenges to use - whether walkers, wheelchairs or strollers. Climate change isn't a myth. We need fewer cars on the road. Provide the leadership to develop transit systems that will give people an inventory to reduce car use, and economic development opportunities for our cities.
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Taylor Rennie says,
I recently moved from Ottawa to Hamilton and know all the hardships that LRT brings while building it. That’s where the worries of LRT end for me. Otherwise, LRT provides an efficient way to connect many parts of the city, quickly and with reduced emissions, it provides economic growth to an economy that continues to grow and be a backbone for business in the GTA. Doug and Carolyn, if you stand by Ontario being open for business, then your only choice is to put Hamilton’s LRT back on track. Now. If you don’t, then you have lost four votes in our household alone. Forever.
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Kath6 Livingston says,
LRT is right for Hamilton for countless reasons. The decision to cancel is wrong-headed and short-sighted. Let's get this right. Let's go forward with the LRT!
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John Duffett says,
The cancellation of the Hamilton LRT is unacceptable. No evidence has been provided by the province to support the claims regarding escalating costs, nor has there been any apparent effort to investigate what options are available to complete this sorely needed transit project while mitigating any such escalations. At best this represents carelessness and negligence on the part of the provincial government for cancellation of the project on the basis of bad information, and without consulting the other stakeholders, however it is hard to believe this is a "mistake". Instead, it has every appearance of being a deliberate sabotage of a thoroughly studied, debated and vetted plan supported through the results of the most recent municipal election. As such, the cancellation represents a a disdainful disrespect for the citizens of Hamilton and their elected representatives - basically, nothing short of a deliberate undermining of democracy.
That said, Mr. Ford, you have an opportunity to set this right, something that might perhaps lend a tiny bit of credibility to your "For the People" slogan?
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John Loukidelis says,
Premier Ford, reverse the Transportation Minister's wrong-headed decision to terminate the Hamilton light rail project. Let the bid process proceed. Hamilton doesn't need yet another transportation study. LRT was chosen after long deliberation, and significant work has been done and money spent already. Starting over will hurt the city and the whole GTHA, of which Hamilton is a key part.
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Daniel Thoms says,
Do the right thing here, Premier. Make good on your promise, and work with the city of Hamilton to find a responsibly funded transit solution.
The lost cost of transportation assessments and other program viability assessments are mounting after your ongoing cuts.
Let's get things back on track!
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Marilyn Hunt says,
I endorse moving forward with the LRT initiative for Hamilton
As the responsible approach to transportation needs that are effective and efficient - fiscally and environmentally.
thank you .... Marilyn Hunt -
beatriz Gonzalez says,
Hamilton needs the LRT, Downtown will be over crowded just like Toronto is overloaded with high rises. Ontario needs to learn from the Toronto infrastructure problem so this doesn't happen in other cities like Hamilton. There're plans already in place to build high rises in Hamilton, reports are in the City website. Enough is enough Doug Ford, listen to the people that don't like you because this is what our community needs, if community isn't stable, no one's family is good not even the richest family. Do this for the love of humanity.
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Jonathan Lopez says,
I support the need for morr options toeards a green economy. At thr same time this has slashed work for people and those that were project to have a certain guarantee to their economic livelihood has been ripped away from them. In essence this is a disgusting show of what has been ongoing attacks of austerity. Of the increase expectancy of use of private vehicles and further fueling to our carbon footprint.
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LeeAnn Gallant says,
Bring back the LRT. It’s crucial to our decrepitating downtown core. We are tax payers like Toronto, Mississauga etc.
Cut your budget elsewhere and give Hamilton what you promised and what our Mayor of Hamilton got my vote for Pro LRT.
Fix Mulroney mistake and give us what we deserve! -
Werner Lichtenberger says,
Get on with it!
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Eric Mills says,
The Regressive Conservatives must have decided they don't need any Hamilton seats for a decade or so. But Hamiltonians, visitors and the environment need this rapid public transit.
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Nick Milanovic says,
Minister Mulroney made a mistake here but the Premier can fix it. It's not too late to do the right thing for the people of Hamilton.
Hamilton has done the hard work. All we're asking for is fair treatment as compared to Mississauga.
Let the bid process finish. If the final bids come in over budget, scale back the project or ask the Federal Government to help.
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Duncan O'Dell says,
Dear Mr Ford,
I believe that the LRT is not only a very important step in helping Hamilton develop into a modern city, but is also a crucial step in its economic development: this evidence-based view is backed by countless studies of the impact of LRTs on other cities). We clearly voted for Mayor Eisenberger's platform which stood largely on the LRT. Why are you kicking Hamilton, an already an economically depressed town, in the teeth like this? Let's make some concrete social and economic change in Hamilton with this money rather than frittering it away on roads.
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marco matteliano says,
we need the LRT. Not only to provide our city with public transport but to give our downtown sector a face lift. Making our city more appealing to tourists etc. Bring Back The LRT
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Earl Cousins says,
The LRT will assist in the revitalization of Hamilton and provide needed transportation for the future.
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Kurt Howlett says,
Dear Local & Federal Politicians
& Officials,Hamilton needs light rail transit. In addition to easing traffic congestion and improving the environment, LRT will help to attract more business, new development projects and to create more jobs.
Hamilton is suffering from growing pains. The current transit system is inadequate and building Hamilton's first LRT line is an important step in bringing the city of Hamilton and its transit system into the 21st century. We need more transportation options.
Not everybody has the luxury of car ownership. But people who rely on transit do pay taxes, support local businesses and we do, most definitely, vote. I hope you keep that in mind. I am a home onwer and I live on Hamilton Mountain. I support LRT.
LRT is an important investment for the City of Hamilton that will benefit all of its residents. Let's move forward and keep Hamilton on track for a better future.
Kurt Howlett
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Nicholas Matteliano says,
The province's decision to backpedal on Hamilton's LRT was pathetic and underhanded. LRT's have been built in many cities. They know how much it should cost, so how is it that Hamilton's LRT project is suddenly over budget? Years of planning went into this project. The Ford government fabricated this excuse because they're all about making cuts. Hamilton's future depends on this project. Many properties have already been purchased to make way for the LRT. King street will be a disaster without one.
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Martin Kuplens-Ewart says,
I wish I could say I was surprised when news broke that the LRT project was being cancelled just months before we were to learn the final scope, cost, and scale we could expect.
Ours is a city that has been struggling – fighting – to turn itself around. That has, thanks to the commitment, energy, and action around the LRT project, seen desperately needed investment and regrowth.
We know - we have seen and heard - that such investment is predicated on the LRT project going forward.
We know - we have seen and felt - the impact that already-acquired properties will have as they are left empty in the wake of an abandoned LRT route.
We know - we have seen and felt - that the alternatives reportedly being considered are not solutions to Hamilton's needs; will not be contributors to the city's recovery from decades of industrial dominance and decline.
I ask to be surprised by seeing the project put back on track, to see a critical (and, in real terms, quite modest) investment in this city be seen through.
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Anne and Gordon Howarth says,
We were shocked and dismayed to hear of the cancellation of promised LRT funding for our great city. There has been many hours of preparations and cost already committed to this much required transportation project.
Hamilton needs this LRT to support transportation links between Stoney Creek and the Westdale area. The LRT will provide highly improved access; for health care, educational opportunities and jobs in the city core as well as other Greater GTA areas. IT IS 2020! Let's keep this much needed and promised future thinking transportation project!
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