Hamilton council puts off LRT vote

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The province wants to give the city of Hamilton $1 billion but city council isn’t quite sure it wants it. Last night council put off a critical vote to accept money from the government to fund the LRT line.

Demolition and construction on the LRT could start in 2018 if Hamilton city council votes in favour of accepting money from the province.

“It’s shocking actually it’s earth shattering that we would be at the situation at present where we are debating the merits of the program.” City councillor, Sam Merulla.

But it’s happened before. The Dalton McGuinty Liberal government announced millions of dollar to help fund Tim Horton’s field and council didn’t jump at that opportunity either. This time, council voted 9-6 to put off voting on accepting LRT money until next month when staff presents another report.

“It would be irresponsible not to ask these questions and demand answers and I don’t think that is going to derail the LRT but I believe there are just too many unanswered questions.” City councillor, Donna Skelly.

Like how will local businesses be affected by construction? Or where will traffic be rerouted? Skelly says Hamilton will only get government money if it’s spent only on LRT.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger doesn’t want to put the breaks on accepting the money but he declined to speak to CHCH News today but councillor Aiden Johnson would.

“It seems to me like the horse has already left the barn when it comes to LRT. The billion dollars has been announced a great deal of planning has already been done if council changed its mind at this stage I think it would be egg on the city’s face.”

Some councillors say the province gave municipalities outside of the GTHA the option on how to spend money given to them from the government. Many don’t like that the Liberals didn’t give Hamiltonians that same option.