All Statements of Support
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Elizabeth Seidl says,
I was shocked and dismayed to learn that your government decided to hastily cancel the LRT project in Hamilton, which has been years in the making with money already spent. My family would have benefited from the project which included improvements to infrastructure as well as transit. We live close to the line and it would have made our lives easier for getting to school and work without having to rely on the car. This is our Ontario too and it's grossly unfair to see other cities near us receive investment in LRT and not here in Hamilton. Please reconsider!
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Rick Roberts says,
This is a no-brainer. Let's bring Hamilton into the future.
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Jacob Stief says,
The sustainable growth of this city and its economy is dependent on investments in infrastructure just like the planned LRT. Connecting this city from East to West via a rapid transit corridor would be amazing for businesses and community alike. Please rethink and recommit to what was promised for so long!
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Nicholas Kevlahan says,
Dear Premier Ford,
Please fix Mulroney's mistake and get Hamilton's LRT project back on track!
Hamilton and Ontario have spent 12 years planning our LRT. Study after study says we need it to grow our economy and provide effective transport for a thriving city.
Treat us fairly, like you have treated Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa. None of their LRT projects were cancelled because of fears of cost over-runs.
Most importantly, the studies said LRT would attract investment, and it already has! Dozens of investors have put their faith in Hamilton and many projects are already under construction along the line.
Mulroney's misguided and uninformed decision is putting this investment at risk and threatens Hamilton and Ontario's reputation as a reliable business partner.
Treat us fairly like you have treated Toronto, Mississauga, Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa. None of their LRT projects were cancelled because of fears of cost over-runs. Wait for the bids and cut costs as necessary to fit the budget. We can't just give up now!
Doug, please make it right for Hamilton. We're counting on you!
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paul smith says,
I am beyond disappointed by the province's decision to cancel Hamilton's LRT project. As a life-long Hamiltonian, and a frequent user of public transit, I can attest that Hamilton desperately needs more sustainable transit infrastructure and a transit solution that will run on time regardless of weather and traffic conditions. Bus lines simply cannot provide this and, in fact, exacerbate traffic congestion while increasing wear and tear on existing road ways. The Ontario government needs to follow through on it's promise to support Light Rail in Hamilton.
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Fort Roberto says,
Dear Premier:
You and your government made a colossal mistake in cancelling Hamilton's LRT. Your Government will not release the figures used to do this. Why not ? Why not cancel LRT in Ottawa, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto-$28.5 billion for transit-as they are all exceeding the original cost. In my opinion this was a political decision to get even with my city. This started last month when you stated that Hamilton had been destroyed by socialists and the Liberals. You, Sir, are now destroying the future development of Hamilton. Reverse your decision on the LRT and quit lying to the citizens of Hamilton.
Regards,
Fort Roberto -
Luke Binnington says,
Our fast-growing city was relying on the LRT as a creative solution to much needed transit improvements. The LRT project has the potential to be a buoy for everyone in greater Hamilton - accessible transit, lower carbon emissions, the promise to bring business and affordable housing to the city. Although the physical LRT project only was planned in the downtown - it’s benefits truly should aid residents in all city wards. It is disappointing that we were so close to such a positive, long-term solution being implemented. There has already been > 140 million dollars of tax payer money spent - not to mention residents/businesses displaced and jobs lost due to acquisitions and the project shut down. Please do right by our city and at least allow for the bidding process to move forward so as to arrive at a true cost estimate.
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Shane Christopher says,
FIX THIS.
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Ali Sabourin says,
LRT is a key part of a sustainable future for Hamilton. It will bring economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental balance and cultural vibrancy. Do the right thing and reinstate LRT.
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Graeme Luke says,
Dear Premier Ford,
Caroline Mulroney has made a huge mistake in cancelling the Hamilton LRT project, based on incorrect, inconsistent assumptions about lifecycle costs. Competitive bids for the project were scheduled to be received in just a few months; it looks like she cancelled the project to avoid receiving these bids.
The Hamilton LRT project is about much more than transit. It will support much needed infrastructure renewal, including a bridge over highway 403 and considerable underground infrastructure. These costs will be incurred anyway and so it isn't reasonable to associate much of these costs with the LRT.
Please reverse this mistake by Minister Mulroney. -
Dan Gismondi says,
I support the LRT! Please reverse the decision to cancel this important project to Hamilton’s further growth and City building!
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Catherine Clase says,
We've waited so long for this. Please reinstate our LRT.
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Denise O’Connor says,
Hamilton is a large city that has recovered from the loss of manufacturing jobs and is well positioned to thrive and become a great contributor to the provincial economy. We need the increased density in the lower city that comes with LRT. Hamilton has high rates of poverty and this project offers the opportunity to help address that need. You got poor advice from Ms Skelly, who is not a visionary leader. There’s still time to do the right thing.
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Dennis Goldsberry says,
Downtown Hamilton is in the process of renewal with new construction throughout the core. The LRT development has already started with properties bought along the proposed line of the LRT. To abandon the project now will stall much development in the core of one of Ontario's post-industrial cities that is renewing and reinventing itself.
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Dermot Nolan says,
Not even penny-wise but stunningly pound-foolish.
The cost of this short-sighted and cowardly betrayal is incalculable. The phoney debate over how many billions is a side-show. The main event is a double cross of epic proportions which will be a train-wreck for the province - and it won’t be a light train.
Hamilton is used to getting the shaft - but nothing ever breaks its spirit. For us, this is a serious set-back, but for the reputation of the province, it is suicidal.
“Open for business” was always a brainless slogan; if this lunacy is not reversed, it will just be very bad joke.
Please lead. You are the First Responders and this is an emergency.
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Wade Zacharias says,
Please reverse this decision to pull funding on the Hamilton LRT.
The amount of investment that has come to Hamilton since the decision to move forward with LRT has been astounding. Property values near the LRT corridor have increased dramatically. Many construction jobs have been created and tax revenues have increased.
Most of all, Premier Ford stayed he would not interfere with the commitment and his decision to break his word will cost dearly.
We are not stupid. We know there are costs to any infrastructure project like this, but there are significant costs to NOT moving forward with this project.
Hamilton needs to move forward with LRT! -
Jim Quinn says,
Please do what is right and follow through on this promise for the LRT. Anything less will verify your sad reputation.
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Tom Van Impe says,
Fix this awful decision.
The Ford government has either been untruthful or misled, either or shows the level of incompetence on their part.
Fix this avoidable issue and provide Hamilton what you promised you would.
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Eddy Mekli says,
I have patiently been waiting for the day construction would start for Hamiltons LRT. Like many Hamiltonians I am acutely aware of the monumental affects such an investment in this city. Many of us feel like we are a city that has been forgotten and stuck in the past. This project would have charnged this, instantly bringing Hamilton into the present, making us a modern city.
While over the last 4-5 years there has been a great deal of private investment in our downtown core, most of the city had been ignored. LRT has changed this. There has been growing investment in the Center / east end of the city because of the project... I have personally bought two commercial properties along the route with anticipation of a vibrant transit route.
I was devastated when I heard the news of the cancelation and ask of our provincial government to review and reconsider the decision.
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David Fernandes says,
Hamilton has spent 13 years voting over and over again to build a word-class LRT and connect the East and west ends together. Premier Ford, please keep your promise and deliver LRT to Hamilton.
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Klaas Walma says,
LRT creates investment. LRT removes cars from along the route and thereby reduces carbon emissions. LRT is a legacy for our children.
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Drew Phillier says,
Poor decision - please reconsider
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John MacMillan says,
To be fair, the report the cancellation is based on should be made public.
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George Overend says,
Save our LRT. It makes no sense to cancel such a transformational project for our city. Keep your word and let's all go ahead.
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Arvind Singh says,
The announcement of cancellation of Hamilton LRT by Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney is highly regrettable, since much of the hard work has already been done. LRT projecf has involved twelve years of planning, more than 70 votes of City Council, seven provincial and municipal elections voting for leaders who support LRT, majority of Hamiltonians expressing the support through the last municipal election, and business leaders investing millions of dollars along the LRT route. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, McMaster University, LIUNA local, and countless other business and civic organizations support Hamilton LRT, recognizing it as an investment both in the community and business. Cancelling Hamilton LRT without any input, consultation and with lack of transparency is wrong, undemocratic and indefensible.
Last year, Premier Doug Ford said, "I support building the Hamilton LRT because the people of this great city deserve a working transit system. This is an investment that will create jobs, countless new jobs and stimulate economic development." After the last municipal election when Mayor Fred Eisenberger won, Premier Ford indicated support for mandate given to the Mayor: "When people democratically elect someone, if he wants an LRT, he's gonna get an LRT...that's democracy."
In about three months LRT project will receive the final bids to build and operate the system, and cancelling Hamilton LRT before these bids makes absolutely no sense at all. Premier Ford was elected was given a landslide majority by Ontarians in the last provincial election, so that his government could make Ontario good for business.
Minister Mulroney cited inflated costs as a reason for killing the project just before bids were going to be offered. The firms competing to win the contract are telling LIUNA they do not understand where the government got its latest inflated numbers from. Given the huge problems with this announcement, I appeal for any decision on Hamilton LRT to be put on hold and let the bids be presented.
While Minister Mulroney made a huge mistake in announcing cancellation of Hamilton's LRT but I appeal to Premier Fordcan to reverse course and do the right thing for Hamilton. The city needs fair treatment for transit that other municipalities have received across Ontario.
Premier Ford allow 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. We need to explore every option to get this transformative investment in economic development back on track so Hamilton can be "open for business" and with ROI from the project contribute economically to make Hamilton and Ontario prosper.
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John Morris says,
It is grossly unfair to Hamilton and its citizens to kill this project after a decade of work and struggle. Let the bids come back and let us build our LRT.
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Dave Minard says,
Hamilton has done the hard work. Twelve years of planning, more than 70 votes of City Council, seven provincial and municipal elections voting for leaders who support LRT, thousands of Hamiltonians expressing the support, and business leaders investing millions of dollars along the LRT route. We've done the hard work. All we want is fairness for Hamilton.
Last year, Premier Ford said, "I support building the Hamilton LRT because the people of this great city deserve a working transit system. This is an investment that will create jobs, countless new jobs and stimulate economic development." After the last municipal election, Premier Ford said, "When people democratically elect someone, if [Mayor Eisenberger] wants an LRT, he's gonna get an LRT...that's democracy."
Now we're literally three months away from receiving the final bids to build and operate the system, and Transport Minister Mulroney cites inflated costs as a reason for killing the project at the 11th hour. The firms competing to win the contract are telling LIUNA they don't understand where the government got its latest inflated numbers from.
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 forward.
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Chris Cotoi says,
To all who can change Premier Ford's mind:
There are a lot of upset people in Hamilton because of the LRT dismissal.
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.
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John Charalambopoulos says,
It is absolutely horrible that you would do this to the city of Hamilton...keep your promise and maybe win back some support politically
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Paul Carvalho says,
Our city has been working hard for many years to get this transit system. We have so many Hamiltonians that are struggling to get to work so this system was a shining light for them. Something that could help to ease their daily struggles of just getting to and from work so that they can provide for their families.
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