Elections
In 2007, the Ontario Government promised two light rail lines in Hamilton. Will you fulfill that promise to build light rail in Hamilton? Why or why not?
Responses to the question: "In 2007, the Ontario Government promised two light rail lines in Hamilton. Will you fulfill that promise to build light rail in Hamilton? Why or why not?"
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5 Candidate Responses (top)
| Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Brief Response | Full Response |
| Erik Coverdale | Yes | The Green Party would provide provincial funding to the proposed two light rail lines in Hamilton. As a society we need to support the shift from individual automobiles to sustainable public transit. We need to focus on transit-oriented development in our urban communities and creating livable communities that reduce the need to travel.
The price of fuel will continue to rise, creating additional incentive to find alternative means of moving people and goods. Rather than wasting money on building new roads we should be investing in public transit and creating links to new mobility hubs. |
| Glenn Langton | No | No I would not as a Libertarian I believe in free markets and less government, less taxes and less spending, the governments of Hamilton and Ontario are awash in red ink and heavily in debt as well, I believe it would be irresponsible to spend on such a project, I would however invite private transportation companies to assess the need, and viability of such systems and reduce the red tape and bureaucracy involved in allowing them to provide these services if they believed they could do so profitably. |
| Robert Maton | Yes | Yes, I would advocate building light rail in Hamilton, as part of a much broader plan to stimulate the Hamilton economy and bring in new industries to replace the dying smokestack industry. |
| Ted McMeekin | Maybe | I believe that light rail transit (LRT) has the potential to change the face of Hamilton for the better and the province has committed to working with the City as it relates to LRT.
I am committed to strong public transit system in Hamilton and across the province. That's why, after years of neglect by the PCs, the Ontario Liberals have invested more than $10.8 billion in public transit since 2003. The City indicated that two-way all-day GO train was a priority. We have committed to increasing GO train service to Hamilton and throughout the GTA, providing two-way, full-day service seven days a week and creating 68,000 jobs throughout Ontario. To bring in the new service, two new stations will be built in Hamilton - at James Street North and Confederation Station, creating about 8,000 local jobs during construction. New jobs will be created in construction, design and engineering because new tracks need to be put in to meet these new demands. This investment will also create demand for manufactured goods such as electrical equipment, steel and other products. The last PC government recklessly gutted transit - and made a mess of GO Transit in particular. First, they downloaded GO to the municipalities, and then took it back after it strained local budgets. It was under the last NDP government that GO Transit's era of continuous growth was brought to a stop. They also eliminated GO service to some cities and reduced many others to rush-hour-only service. Now, the PCs have $14 billion in unfunded giveaways and tax cuts that would mean deep cuts to hospitals and schools. The NDP would introduce a crushing $9 billion in job killing taxes. Both would take Ontario off track at the worst time. For LRT in Hamilton, the province provided $3 million for the city to undertake a Rapid Transit Feasibility Study. That study is ongoing and, for a project of this size and scope, is moving quickly. There is likely about 6 months of additional work and I look forward to the findings. Decisions should neither be made in isolation from our municipal partner, nor without the information the feasibility study will provide. Once the report is complete and city council arrives at a decision, I will work with the city to move this project forward. |
| Trevor Westerhoff | Yes | Ontario’s NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has met with Metrolinx and encouraged them to recognize how important the LRT system would be for the City of Hamilton. New Democrats are absolutely in favour of light rail transit in Hamilton. |
Response Summary (top)
| Brief Response | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 3 | 60.0% |
| No | 1 | 20.0% |
| Maybe | 1 | 20.0% |
3 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)
| Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donna Skelly | ||
| Peter Melanson | ||
| Rick Gundermann | ||
