Mayor Eisenberger, Premier Wynne to meet Monday

Mayor Fred Eisenberger will be in Queen's Park on Monday, but he's not saying what he will discuss with the Premier.

Eisenberger wouldn't say if LRT will be a topic of discussion when he sits down with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

In a press released issued late Friday afternoon, the mayor's office announced the meeting with the key bearer to the provincial purse, and said topics would include "the Province’s commitment to transit funding for Hamilton, US Steel pensioners, infrastructure and poverty."

On Saturday, the mayor told CBC Hamilton he's looking forward to a "positive session with the premier," but would not say if the visit would need to address a possibly strained relationship between the two parties left behind by former mayor Bob Bratina.

As for discussion on LRT, Eisenberger repeated transit is on the agenda but would not provide further details.

Strained relationship, censured mayor

Hamilton's rocky relationship with the premier made headlines in 2013 when then-mayor Bratina suggested Hamilton would have to pick between all-day GO Transit service and Light Rail Transit (LRT) — a comment the premier's office dismissed but forced council to move a motion to censure the mayor fearing Bratina would pass his own ideas, rather than council's, to the province.

When Wynne announced $29-billion in financing for transportation last April, it included a $15-billion chunk for the Toronto and Hamilton areas. How much money would be allocated for Hamilton has yet to be determined.

Having the ear of the premier became part of the mayoral election when former councillor and mayoral candidate Brian McHattie sent a letter to the premier about the proposed $800-million LRT, which council is hoping will be funded without municipal tax dollars.

Eisenberger said Saturday he's still hoping to find out how much funding can be provided by the province before he and council decide on the fate of LRT in the city. He added he remains in favour of LRT, and also took to Twitter Saturday morning to highlight a positive LRT experience.

Asked if LRT specifically would be discussed, Eisenberger was vague, repeating transit would a topic, but not adding any further detail.

"We're hoping to build a relations for further investments for Hamilton," Eisenberger said. 

City manager Chris Murray and the mayor's chief of staff, Drina Omazic, will also be at Monday's meeting.