When Mayor Fred Eisenberger registered to run for re-election this week, he mused that LRT probably won’t be the key issue in the upcoming municipal election.
I think the Mayor’s comment was more wishful thinking than factual.
Yes, it’s true that the “official” position of City Council is in support of the LRT, but we also know that most of the councillors who gave the project a thumbs up, did so because they didn’t want to turn down a billion dollars from the Province, even if it was tied to a controversial LRT project.
But with a PC victory in the provincial election looking more and more likely, those skeptical Councilors will be rubbing their hands with glee in anticipation of Doug Ford handing over the billion dollars for Hamilton to spend as it wishes.
The strongest support for LRT is in the four downtown wards where the LRT would run, but we get the feeling that many, if not all, of the other councillors would abandon the project in a heartbeat if they knew they’d get the money anyway.
Those councillors already have their, “I’ve heard from the people, and I’m changing my vote” speeches written.
If Doug Ford becomes Ontario’s next premier, the LRT will become THE ballot box issue in Hamilton this October.
Bill Kelly is the host of the Bill Kelly Show on AM 900 CHML.
- Alberta to overhaul municipal rules to include sweeping new powers, municipal political parties
- Norad looking to NATO to help detect threats over the Arctic, chief says
- Grocery code: How Ottawa has tried to get Loblaw, Walmart on board
- Military judges don’t have divided loyalties, Canada’s top court rules
Comments