Friday, February 28, 2014

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday, February 28, 2014

McHattie bypasses Bratina in appeal to premier for LRT support

Councillor and mayoral candidate Brian McHattie has written directly to the provincial premier – bypassing the mayor – to emphasize the city’s support for light-rail transit.

McHattie, one of council’s strongest supporters for the proposed $1-billion LRT plan, urges Premier Kathleen Wynne to ignore “the level of noise and mixed messages” about the city’s support for LRT.

He also asks the province to “honour the funding commitments” made in the past for LRT and requests an update from the premier on “where Hamilton stands.”

Several councillors have recently told The Spectator their support for LRT will end unless the province fully funds the east-west line. Council has largely rejected most of the proposed “revenue tools” the province is considering to fund future rapid-transit transit projects.

Mayor Bob Bratina has been criticized by LRT supporters for not championing the project. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

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