Hamilton candidates talk LRT, encampments, development at debate

Hamilton's long-planned and oft-debated LRT project is still generating cheers and jeers late in this fall's municipal election.

The light-rail initiative will live or die on its own merits," mayoral candidate Bob Bratina told a crowd at Central Presbyterian Church last week.

There's a whole bunch of reasons why it's not a good solution" for Hamilton, the former Liberal MP and one-time mayor declared.

Most of the people in this room will not ever ride an LRT," he said, sparking a rumble of groans and retorts at the Durand Neighbourhood Association event.

I don't have to point out how short-sighted that is," Keanin Loomis followed up.

The project - with $3.4-billion in capital costs split between the provincial and federal governments - will pay dividends for the city, Loomis said.

The McMaster-to-Eastgate Square line will spur jobs and development, said the former Hamilton Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.

To me, it's about what type of city do we want to be. Do we want to be that Ambitious City' again - the one that accepts the fact that, yes, there's going to be a little bit of hassle but long-term gain for short-term train?"

Major work on the Metrolinx-led, 17-stop, 14-kilometre line isn't expected to start before 2024.

Andrea Horwath said LRT construction will be disruptive," but sometimes you have to look at the vision beyond where we are right now and see it through."

LRT will spur high-density development, which will help curb urban sprawl, help pay for new underground infrastructure and expand public transit, Horwath said.

It's just a win-win all the way through," said the former Ontario NDP leader and Hamilton Centre MPP.

Mayoral candidate Solomon Ikhuiwu told the crowd he has gone back and forth" on LRT.

Because when I speak to people on the Mountain, they tell me they don't want it," the pastor said. When I speak to people in downtown, they want LRT, right."

The light-rail project is good for the environment," Ikhuiwu said, but added he hopes to find a common ground" on the matter through additional conversations.

The candidates also weighed in on development woes, derelict buildings, heritage preservation, safe streets, the climate crisis and homelessness during the head-to-head hosted by the Durand Neighbourhood Association.

The hosts invited all mayoral contenders but not all showed up. The municipal election is Oct. 24.

Ward 2 hopefuls

Ward 2 incumbent Jason Farr defended his track record amid rivals' calls for change on council.

Right off the bat, Farr pointed to a number of achievements, including a record number of cranes" in the core, more bike lanes, green space and social-housing projects.

I think it was the most productive four years of my pleasure serving you in office here in Ward 2."

But Cameron Kroetsch, who challenged Farr in 2018, wasted little time in undercutting that introduction by saying, people have lost trust in city council."

Raquel Racovac, meanwhile, argued being a councillor is a such a taxing job ... that we need turnover for anybody in this position."

Racovac said the city must do more to address homelessness instead of simply destroying encampments."

People in tents were a frequent focus for Farr during the past term with clusters popping up in parks throughout the downtown-and-area ward.

The 12-year councillor pressed for stepped-up enforcement of a bylaw that bars tents in public urban spaces but also argued city outreach made strides in finding people housing.

Well, I keep hearing that nobody likes the idea of encampments," Farr said when asked about the ward's biggest challenges.

Constituents want more police" to address safety concerns in the ward, not defund the police," as Kroetsch has publicly advocated, he said.

Defending his position, Kroetsch said top police brass have stated they believe other services are better equipped to respond to challenges that accompany homelessness.

The Ward 2 candidates also fielded questions about heritage buildings suffering from demolition by neglect."

Longtime heritage advocate Robin McKee called for a stricter application of bylaws for those who let buildings deteriorate.

So the idea is: fine them and they will get the idea."

Audience members also expressed frustration over decisions on development applications made by the city's committee of adjustment, which handles minor variances.

The committee is completely broken," Kroetsch said, while Racovac called for new people" on the councillor-appointed citizen body.

Shahan Aaron, meanwhile, also suggested the general public must become more involved in the process.

If I ask my neighbour, Do you know what the committee of adjustment is?' They will go, Huh?'"

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com