Do you support Hamilton's plan to build an east-west light rail transit line with full provincial capital funding? If so, how will you ensure the project is funded? - Raise the Hammer Elections

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Candidate Responses
Response Summary
Candidates Who Have Not Responded

3 Candidate Responses (top)

Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale
Candidate	Brief Response	Full Response
Barry Spruce	Maybe	Freedom Party has not had an opportunity to review the plans and proposed budget for the Hamilton Project, in principal, the party is more in favour of Private, Public Partnership models, we do not support that the various levels of government need to own and operate infrastructure items. Governments typically add cost, reduce efficiency and are slow to respond to needed changes. If the party reviewed the project in detail and validated the Business Case for it, then likely if the project went forward we would look to include a Private company as the main entity.
Raymond Dartsch	Yes	Yes I support it, I would see it built in stages, downtown-to-McMaster as a priority, this would spread the funding requirements over a longer period. And once Hamiltonians get a sample of what a great technology LRT is, the opposition to the rest of the project should evaporate, as happened in many US cities where LRT was introduced as a demonstration project. When LRT is up and running in Kitchener/Waterloo, Mississauga/Brampton and Ottawa, Hamiltonians will feel left out, no doubt.
Ted McMeekin	Yes	Hamilton is Canada's leading community for growth and investment. That hasn't happened by accident, and I couldn't be more excited. Some of this renaissance can be directly attributed to our government's investments in expanding two-way, all-day GO service on the Lakeshore line. We are also building a new $44 million GO station on James Street North. I have lobbied relentlessly for Hamilton and our government has delivered. Our party stands alone in its commitment to investing in improved transit in Hamilton. In our 2014 budget, we announced $15 billion in new dedicated funding for public transit in the GTHA. This includes a continuing expansion of GO service to Aldershot and Hamilton. We are committed to 100 per cent funding for base capital costs as identified in the city's Rapid Ready report. We will work with council and the community to forge a path forward, expeditiously, to ensure Hamilton keeps moving and has access to the funding available. The best transit option will be determined by council and supported by citizens. Increased funding for public transit represents a smart and long-term investment. In addition to reducing traffic congestion, improving productivity and reducing GHG emissions, each dollar invested in public transit generates three dollars in economic spin-ff. Efficient and effective transportation by definition has to be integrated, collaborative and connected. We cannot look at any plan in isolation. Our plan creates jobs, grows our economy and reduces congestion so we can spend less time commuting and more time at home with our families.

Response Summary (top)

Brief Response	Count	% of Total
Yes	2	66.7%
No	0	0.0%
Maybe	1	33.3%

3 Candidates Have Not Responded (top)

Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale
Alex Johnstone
Donna Skelly
Glenn Langton