Statement by Mayor Fred Eisenberger on the Hamilton Transportation Task Force

HAMILTON, ON - The Doug Ford government has announced the Hamilton Transportation Task Force members. The provincial government is known for appointing task forces and advisory panels to study and provide advice on complex matters. In this instance, they have sought unelected individuals to advise the province on what the best investment would be for transit, transportation and future development of our city.

I have always had confidence in citizen panels and an evidence-based approach to decision making. Each selected individual is a respected member of our community, who has answered a call to serve their City. We will support their work in any way we can.

How this has unfolded is unusual and I will continue to object to the Premier’s inequitable treatment of Hamilton. The Light Rail Transit (LRT) project was a massive investment project for the City of Hamilton and is the most studied transit project in our city’s history. It will create thousands of jobs, economic uplift, increase affordable housing, cut CO2 emissions drastically and build a City of Hamilton ready for the future.

I remain disappointed by the Transportation Minister’s approach to informing the City of their cancellation of our LRT project but remain hopeful this task force will find the LRT is the best investment for the City of Hamilton.