NDP government would let LRT funds be used for other transit projects, Horwath says

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said Friday she is "100% committed to funding the Hamilton LRT" — a day after she was quoted saying that if she is elected premier, the city could use the $1 billion the province has earmarked for the project for other transit projects if it chooses.

Horwath first opened the door to alternative projects during an editorial board with the Hamilton Spectator Thursday. The paper reported she said the province shouldn't be deciding what municipalities choose to do with their transit systems. 

"I would cry; I would be unhappy; it would make me sad, because I'm a supporter of the LRT and always have been — but it's important to acknowledge that the municipal order of government has these responsibilities in terms of envisioning the transit projects for their cities," she said.

The statement surprised LRT supporters, many of them also NDP supporters, with one prominent local blogger saying it left him dismayed and opened a wedge for opponents to kill the project.

Horwath then revisited the issue in a statement Friday morning, reaffirming her support for the project. But the statement did not specifically address whether or not the city would have the option to spend LRT dollars elsewhere.

"I want to be completely clear: I support the Hamilton LRT project and I'll fight like hell to make it happen," she wrote, noting that the NDP's platform outright says, "We will build Hamilton's LRT right away."

I can't believe you would do this. I urge you in the strongest terms to reaffirm your party's support for LRT.- Ryan McGreal, Raise the Hammer editor and provincial NDP supporter

"Waffling on this project equals more delays on this project — and Hamilton can't wait any longer. We've set aside $1 billion to get shovels in the ground right away," Horwath said in her statement.

"There have been more than 60 votes approving the project over the past 10 years. The position of Hamilton city council is clear. The position of Hamilton families is clear. LRT is the best way forward."

A divisive Hamilton issue

The heads of Ontario's major political parties have now all presented different stances on LRT — a divisive and longstanding issue in Hamilton.

Hamilton's LRT has been a political football since 2015. That's when Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne announced the $1 billion LRT project, as well as a GO station on Centennial Parkway.

The province is building both. Ground has broken on the GO station, while Metrolinx has spent about $100 million on LRT so far.

The Liberals have said the money they've awarded the city has to be used for rapid transit, and Hamilton would have to resubmit a proposal if it changes his mind.

PC Leader Doug Ford differentiated himself last month, saying he'd give Hamilton money for other infrastructure projects even if it didn't proceed with LRT.

Horwath's stance seems to find her landing somewhere in the middle. But the move has already drawn the ire of some NDP supporters, who are often staunch NDP advocates.

'I can't believe you would do this'

Ryan McGreal is the editor of local blog Raise the Hammer, and describes himself as a longstanding provincial NDP supporter. He wrote a letter to Horwath Friday morning, before her statement was released, saying he was baffled and despondent that she is now "waffling" on the project.

"All this does is open up a wedge to sabotage a project already in development and play into an anti-transit, anti-urban faction that does not want to see any investment in the lower city," McGreal wrote. "There is no Plan B, and it would take several years for the City to prepare another transit plan to the point where it is ready to submit a funding request.

"I can't believe you would do this. I urge you in the strongest terms to reaffirm your party's support for LRT."

McGreal later told CBC News that Horwath's statement "is a start," but he wants a clear message from the NDP on what its process would be if city council decided to scrap LRT and ask for something else instead.

"A basic principle of responsible governance is that the City would have to develop a plan and a funding request before any funding consideration could be made," he said.

adam.carter@cbc.ca