Hamilton councillors have again delayed voting on a motion to affirm the city’s acceptance of the Ontario government’s $1 billion capital funding for light-rail transit that was announced by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne at McMaster University in 2015.
Ward 4 councillor Sam Merulla, who tried to introduce his motion in early May before councillors in a 9-6 vote delayed it to May 18 for more information, this time wanted his motion to be tabled until September.
Merulla said he wanted to wait until after city transit staff completed a traffic study before debating what has become a highly controversial motion. The government issues committee members agreed June 15 to the delay.
Initially, Merulla introduced his motion, which accepts the province’s $1 billion capital funding, in an effort to reveal those politicians who had “soft” support for the LRT project. Over the last few years councillors have voted on LRT, including a unanimous vote to submit to the province an application for the capital funding. But over the last year questions some councillors have questioned the project for its lack of information, potential extra costs, and impacts to businesses along the LRT route.
Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson said earlier this month at his community council meeting, a few of his colleagues were looking at the 2018 municipal election and were calculating their political chances. He said some councillors are worried that candidates will emerge challenging incumbents and demanding the city reject the LRT project.
Over the last month some councillors, including Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead, have been arguing against the merits of LRT, including questioning why it is being built along King Street rather than Main Street, and disputing the economic benefits of the project.
The LRT line is scheduled to run from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle, and have a spur line from King Street East to the West Harbour GO station. If money is left over the line will continue to the waterfront.
In response, Mayor Fred Eisenberger has been releasing letters of support for the LRT from business leaders and recently former Hamilton-Wentworth Regional chairs and former Hamilton mayors came out in support in a letter.
Ferguson said the delay in voting on the LRT motion will give pro-LRT supporters time to get suburban councillors who seem to be changing their minds on the project back on board. Ferguson suggested there could be financial inducements for their support.
Even though Ferguson backs LRT, despite the project doing “absolutely nothing” for Ancaster, he would welcome council’s support to provide about $3 million to help finance a proposed $12 million arts centre at the former Memorial school on Wilson Street.
Hamilton councillors have again delayed voting on a motion to affirm the city’s acceptance of the Ontario government’s $1 billion capital funding for light-rail transit that was announced by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne at McMaster University in 2015.
Ward 4 councillor Sam Merulla, who tried to introduce his motion in early May before councillors in a 9-6 vote delayed it to May 18 for more information, this time wanted his motion to be tabled until September.
Merulla said he wanted to wait until after city transit staff completed a traffic study before debating what has become a highly controversial motion. The government issues committee members agreed June 15 to the delay.
Initially, Merulla introduced his motion, which accepts the province’s $1 billion capital funding, in an effort to reveal those politicians who had “soft” support for the LRT project. Over the last few years councillors have voted on LRT, including a unanimous vote to submit to the province an application for the capital funding. But over the last year questions some councillors have questioned the project for its lack of information, potential extra costs, and impacts to businesses along the LRT route.
Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson said earlier this month at his community council meeting, a few of his colleagues were looking at the 2018 municipal election and were calculating their political chances. He said some councillors are worried that candidates will emerge challenging incumbents and demanding the city reject the LRT project.
Over the last month some councillors, including Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead, have been arguing against the merits of LRT, including questioning why it is being built along King Street rather than Main Street, and disputing the economic benefits of the project.
The LRT line is scheduled to run from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle, and have a spur line from King Street East to the West Harbour GO station. If money is left over the line will continue to the waterfront.
In response, Mayor Fred Eisenberger has been releasing letters of support for the LRT from business leaders and recently former Hamilton-Wentworth Regional chairs and former Hamilton mayors came out in support in a letter.
Ferguson said the delay in voting on the LRT motion will give pro-LRT supporters time to get suburban councillors who seem to be changing their minds on the project back on board. Ferguson suggested there could be financial inducements for their support.
Even though Ferguson backs LRT, despite the project doing “absolutely nothing” for Ancaster, he would welcome council’s support to provide about $3 million to help finance a proposed $12 million arts centre at the former Memorial school on Wilson Street.
Hamilton councillors have again delayed voting on a motion to affirm the city’s acceptance of the Ontario government’s $1 billion capital funding for light-rail transit that was announced by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne at McMaster University in 2015.
Ward 4 councillor Sam Merulla, who tried to introduce his motion in early May before councillors in a 9-6 vote delayed it to May 18 for more information, this time wanted his motion to be tabled until September.
Merulla said he wanted to wait until after city transit staff completed a traffic study before debating what has become a highly controversial motion. The government issues committee members agreed June 15 to the delay.
Initially, Merulla introduced his motion, which accepts the province’s $1 billion capital funding, in an effort to reveal those politicians who had “soft” support for the LRT project. Over the last few years councillors have voted on LRT, including a unanimous vote to submit to the province an application for the capital funding. But over the last year questions some councillors have questioned the project for its lack of information, potential extra costs, and impacts to businesses along the LRT route.
Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson said earlier this month at his community council meeting, a few of his colleagues were looking at the 2018 municipal election and were calculating their political chances. He said some councillors are worried that candidates will emerge challenging incumbents and demanding the city reject the LRT project.
Over the last month some councillors, including Mountain councillor Terry Whitehead, have been arguing against the merits of LRT, including questioning why it is being built along King Street rather than Main Street, and disputing the economic benefits of the project.
The LRT line is scheduled to run from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle, and have a spur line from King Street East to the West Harbour GO station. If money is left over the line will continue to the waterfront.
In response, Mayor Fred Eisenberger has been releasing letters of support for the LRT from business leaders and recently former Hamilton-Wentworth Regional chairs and former Hamilton mayors came out in support in a letter.
Ferguson said the delay in voting on the LRT motion will give pro-LRT supporters time to get suburban councillors who seem to be changing their minds on the project back on board. Ferguson suggested there could be financial inducements for their support.
Even though Ferguson backs LRT, despite the project doing “absolutely nothing” for Ancaster, he would welcome council’s support to provide about $3 million to help finance a proposed $12 million arts centre at the former Memorial school on Wilson Street.