All Statements of Support
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Cesare Di Donato says,
As Executive Director of the Industry Education Council of Hamilton, we work with our youth and job seekers. One of the biggest issues we hear is public transportation. Workers simply cannot get to a potential workplace. A strong east-west corridor, that can eventually connect with a North-south corridor is essential to workforce development in our city. Companies have been coming to the GHTA on this vision. We must resurrect the LRT for our young people and those seeking a career and in our city. Remember the Linc and Red Hill procrastination and challenges? Let’s learn from history and do better this time. Whatever we have to do, let’s do it and make good things happen.
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Inda Miocinovich says,
Not fair to all businesses in the area and to all buildings that have been expropriated for the lrt
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John Buxton says,
To: Premier Doug Ford,
The citizens of Hamilton are having a hard time believing that you as Premier has gone against your word and cancelled out LRT.
Many citizens, seniors, businesses new and existing, hospitals, schools, University etc were and still are counting on you to change your decision!
The right thing to do is come to Hamilton with Minister Mulroney to sit down and have a rational discussion with Mayor Eisenberger and several business leaders. You made the decision to cancel our LRT blindly. Democracy only works when different levels of Government listen to each other then work together for the benefit of the majority of citizens.
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Alan Lawrence says,
Conservatives know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Cut taxes to the rich and cut services ´for the people.´
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Andrew Milne says,
I've lived in a dozen cities and I've seen the benefits of public transit on people and businesses.
The province put together a strong development plan to grow and connect Ontario's cities. We need to execute on that plan.
In 20 years, I want our kids to be enjoying the benefits of our investments in transit, not wondering - as I do - how Ontario public transit fell behind the rest of the world.
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Rob Fiedler says,
I've long supported LRT for the B-Line corridor in Hamilton. This has been studied and debated to death. Enough already. Get it done. And while you're at it, incorporate inclusionary zoning along the corridor (i.e. ensure market and non-market affordable rental housing ends up part of the long-term mix where properties were purchased/expropriated by Metrolinx).
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Jennifer Braun says,
The LRT is important in making Hamilton a city that is easy to get around in without a car. Current bus routes cannot take the place of an LRT and having it will make the city more appealing to many people.
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Neil Ballantyne says,
As a Hamilton and Ontario resident I am both alarmed and saddened by the callous decision making and, how the Minister of Transportation Ontario could not face up to the residents of this wonderful city. Also as to why this government is refusing to give a copy of said report to city council of Hamilton.
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Lenore Lukasik-Foss says,
We must get the LRT back on track! Let the process continue and explore all the options.
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Paul Bolduc says,
can Hamilton especially people on the mountain (like myself) ever look ahead for the future
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David Numan says,
LRT is the best way forward for moving people around in our growing city. This impacts our city infrastructure costs, our economy, and the environment. Please support LRT for all the long term benefits.
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Jocelyn Weatherbe says,
Dear Mr. Ford,
It was with some astonishment that I heard you were cancelling the LRT in Hamilton. An initiative that would not only upgrade our transit system into the 21st Century but also improve a considerable mount of infrastructure and encourage high density housing in the downtown corridor which would discourage urban sprawl over valuable farmland.
This is a very negative action on your part with no provable cause. Please bring back the support you promised during your campaign and while you are at it bring back Basic Income which you also said you would continue to support. Promises Made, Promises Broken will not be a great campaign slogan next time.
Regards
Jocelyn Weatherbe -
Margaret Bennett says,
We moved to Hamilton 4 years ago, in part because of the promise of LRT. Originally from Toronto, we lived in Burlington prior to our move because of work logistics. Unfortunately Burlington was transit-unfriendly and we ended up having to get a second car. Fortunately we could afford it, but it is not our ethical choice. So when work shifted we considered a move back to Toronto or to Hamilton and chose Hamilton because it seemed to be moving forward and was appearing to be transit friendly. We wanted to be part of the revitalization of this city and make it work for all residents. We looked along the LRT line and moved on a great bus line as it is. Transit and accessibility is one of the things we were most excited about and one of the things we love about Hamilton. Transit is a huge part of affordability and accessibility of a city. That’s why the promise of an LRT was so exciting. Women and children disproportionately use transit and it’s important for them to access the city and its services. We believe that the LRT is an equity issue for that reason.
When you look at the Hamilton GRIDS II Plan, you can see how much development is on the LRT line. This isn’t even just residential development; it’s commercial and employment opportunities. That’s what transit does; brings development to the people who will often benefit most from it. It’s not just people like us that chose Hamilton for the potential of LRT, it’s businesses and builders who can make this city better on a larger scale than anything we can do individually. LRT will make Access to the city and it’s services and employment opportunities better. It’s an equity issue.
The LRT has been proposed for years. It’s had something like 70 separate votes for it. If you’re truly for the people, the people and its elected representatives have spoken for 12 years that this is the way forward for our city, so let’s get on and build it FOR THE PEOPLE! It will keep us moving forward equitably. -
Matthew Naysmith says,
Hamilton has been treated unfairly in the recent cancellation of the LRT line with obviously fictitious financial numbers that do not align with the 3 other LRT projects in the province. Reverse this embarrassing decision now and show how all people in the province can be treated equally and fairly.
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Rick Veenstra says,
Mr. Ford: I live in a town swallowed up by the City of Hamilton under the Harris government. We're proud folks and the sting of that has never really left. Our voices were dismissed then but I want to be heard now.
Even though I will likely not ever use the LRT in Hamilton, I strongly support the initiative for the opportunities that it will bring to what is now "our" city. It seems that your government's stated "for the people" platform seems only to be resulting in penny-pinching, miserly, ill-considered cuts to programs and initiatives province-wide.
Please do the right thing for Hamilton and indeed the whole province and reverse your government's position on this vital initiative. -
Kyle Slote says,
Please reverse the decision to cancel Hamilton's LRT RFP process.
Just the anticipation and promise of LRT is already having transformative effects on the city with long vacant buildings being renovated and new developments underway. This is growing our tax base and allowing us to grow in a way that follows provincial growth policies.
With recent LRT investments in nearby communities, Hamilton will be at a significant competitive disadvantage at a time when the city is truly transforming and emerging as a successful mid-sized city with a diverse economy.
Please let Hamilton reach its potential.
Please see the LRT RFP process out. If costs come in above budget, let's find a creative way to bridge that gap instead of cancelling this transformative and vital project outright.
Sincerely,
Kyle Slote -
Benjamin Arseneau says,
Let's keep progress in our great city moving in the right direction.
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Sue Lott says,
We can't go backwards on critical public infrastructure that is environmentally responsible. We just can't afford not to make these investments. Shame on the Ford government for showing no leadership on this.
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Mike Field says,
LRT was a promise made in good faith. It is transformational for the City and a pathway towards a better future. Breaking this promise is not progressive, but rather regressive.
How can any citizen have confidence and trust in their government when decisions like this are chosen?
Supportive of LRT or not, the roll back of this promise is insulting. The delivery of the ‘announcement’ was even worse. Don’t make this sort of thing common place in Ontario.
Fulfill your promise to Hamilton, reverse the decision. This time, take the time to actually make a meaningful announcement, one made in good faith and understanding to the community.
Nothing less will be unacceptable.
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Zach Gable says,
My support for Hamilton LRT is for numerous reasons. There are associated economic benefits such as job creation, new investment, and new property tax revenue for the City. Thinking long term I believe LRT will be a tool to drive higher densities and simply get more cars off the road. We have a declared climate emergency in the City, if we have an opportunity to preserve agricultural lands by having more people live in a core area and can reduce carbon emissions LRT represents a real, focused step towards sustainability
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Michael Hutchings says,
For the past thirteen years, the City of Hamilton has been working on bringing higher level transit in the form of LRT connecting Stoney Creek to McMaster University.
In one callous move, Minister Mulroney cancelled the province's financial support for this city building project.
In 2018 Premier Ford commented that he supported building the LRT as an "investment that will create jobs...and stimulate economic development."
For thirteen years, the citizens and government of Hamilton have worked tirelessly to create a comprehensive plan for regional transit. Years of hard work and investment was cast aside. Why is Mississauga's transit continuing and Hamilton's no longer necessary?
While you provide figures to do this, you won't provide the source of these figures or how they were generated. We are three months away from the final bids - why couldn't the province wait until the final bids were in before scrapping the project altogether?
The thing that shocked me the most was that Hamilton wasn't even given an opportunity to see the numbers, provide the province with alternatives or at least even investigate other options.
Please do the right thing and let Hamilton get back on track.
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Kevin Dougan says,
Cancelling plans to build LRT is backwards thinking and short-sighted.
Bring back the LRT!
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Peter Vander Klippe says,
The LRT is an investment in Hamilton's future. Lets get those costs in line with the Waterloo LRT and get the construction started. Cost are only going to get higher if we wait longer!
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Naomi Kane says,
Dear Politicians
Please stop putting transit on the back burner. These projects should be what governments do to support communities and create the jobs and environments necessary for people and businesses to thrive.
Get ahead of the curve and build the infrastructure.Sincerely
Naomi Kane -
Alistair Ingram says,
Fully support construction of LRT, even with the (clearly inflated) estimates that the Gov't will not release it would be worth it.
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JOHN DUNN says,
Premier Ford,
You were correct in your previous statement.. we voted for LRT when we elected Fred. Please rethink this egegoous mistake you have foisted on our city and get LTR BACK ON "TRACĶ".John Dunn
Hamilton mountain -
Robert Ozimek says,
Hamilton wants the LRT!
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Susan Muma says,
I support the LRT and have always done so. I believe it is in the best interests of all of Hamilton. Its cancellation angered and devastated me. I am happy to do what I can to ensure it goes ahead.
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Mary Battaglia says,
I do not live in Hamilton and do not often use transit. I do know that when I travel to cities with light rail it has been extremely easy to use and the economic benefits are staggering. Pulling the funding without releasing the details of the costing model, while at the same time finding LRT in other municipalities is extremely suspect. Come clean Mr. Ford on the funding calculations and reinstate your support for this project.
The despair you have created for the entire city without a reasonable explanation is palpable. Imagine what it is like for the people who lives were upended in one misguided announcement.
There is still time to fix this!
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Jessica Marcellus says,
Minister Mulroney made a mistake cancelling Hamilton's LRT but the Premier can fix it. It's not too late to do the right thing for Hamilton.
Hamilton has done the hard work to show our support for LRT. All we're asking for is fair treatment compared to other cities.
Let the bid process finish. If the final bids come in over budget, we can scale back the project (like Mississauga just did) 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's economy forward.
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