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? - Raise the Hammer Elections

← Back to Election Page

In This Page:

Candidate Responses
Response Summary
Candidates Who Have Not Responded

5 Candidate Responses (top)

Hamilton Centre
Candidate	Brief Response	Full Response
Andrea Horwath	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.
Christopher Lawson	Maybe	It was not a Freedom Party government that made those promises. That being said, I believe it would be prudent to investigate every avenue possible to make it happen. Something desperately needs to be done to address the problem of traffic congestion in the Golden Horseshoe area. Light rail could be an answer to many issues: relieving commuter congestion, encouraging inter-city tourism and boosting inter-city commerce.
Michael Baldasaro	Yes	Just as long as the Government is paying for this and not raising our taxes. The Greater Hamilton Area, "G.H.A.", should be connected to our University Centre and Innovation Park, via Light Rail Transit.
Peter Ormond	Yes	I will fulfill that promise to build light rail in Hamilton because the Green Party believes in sustainable transportation. Our roads are congested, fuel prices are rising and pollution from motor vehicles are hurting our environment. The LRT would be a way to combat these challenges and make Hamilton a leader in transportation. The LRT would also increase public transportation access to certain areas that would then flourish due to their increased availability. It's time to invest in infrastructure that promotes community development in a smart and sustainable manner. It's worth pointing out that Hamilton's Aerotropolis is still proceeding. Reckless expansion on farmland is a concept that was considered cool half a century ago. Similarly, the myriad of new highways like the mid-pen must be stopped in their tracks. No new highways. In fact, a complete review of all operations at the airport must be performed - including the release of the secret 40 year lease between the city and the airport. No more-mega projects like these that benefit the already wealthy, and all at the expense of the existing communities. It's time for responsible infrastructure projects that will benefit the average citizen. The LRT will transform Hamilton. Let's get on with it!
Robert Kuhlmann	No	First you have to ask yourself the following. What is the purpose of government? Do you believe that governments purpose is to provide transportation to the people? If so, How do they provide it? Why not just buy everyone a car? It'd be cheaper. Where does the money to provide it come from? Who does it come from? Do those providing that money have any say in how its being spent on this or any other project? If not, why not? Is this fair to those who provide the money? If not, why not? How can we make it fair? How can we make it so that those who provide the funds for the project decide how and where the money is being spent? Answer those questions first and then tell me whether or not government should be building rail lines anywhere. It's not their decision to make Those who provide the funds should have the right to decide where their money is being spent. If you can't decide where you spend your own money, how free are you really? I'd do my best to create an environment in which it was economically viable to build LRT lines. Building those lines isn't government's purpose. Allowing and defending an economy in which it is viable to do so is.

Response Summary (top)

Brief Response	Count	% of Total
Yes	3	60.0%
No	1	20.0%
Maybe	1	20.0%

5 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)

Hamilton Centre
Anthony Gracey
Don Sheppard
Donna Tiqui-Shebib
Robert Szajkowski
Steven Passmore