City of Hamilton 71 Main Street West, 2 Flr Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8P 4Y5 www.hamiton.

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Brian McHattie, MCIP, RPP

Councillor Ward One Chedoke Cootes Phone: 905.546.2416 Fax: 905.546.2535 Email: brian.mchattie@hamilton.ca www.brianmchattie.ca

Hon Kathleen Wynne, MPP Premier Legislative Building Queen's Park Toronto ON M7A 1A1 February 26, 2014 RE: Support for LRT in Hamilton Dear Premier Wynne, As you are aware, a lot is currently being said in the media, both mainstream and social, about Hamiltons LRT plans. Some of it is accurate. Some of it isnt. Perhaps the most troubling statements are the ones suggesting that the provincial government will not honour its commitment to providing 100% of the capital costs of Phase 1 of Hamiltons LRT system. While I have no reason to believe that the commitment made by your government will not be kept, I feel it necessary to assure you that Hamilton City Council stands by our stated support for LRT as approved by unanimous vote on February 27th, 2013. Other GTHA cities, particularly Toronto, are already receiving provincial funding for their transit needs, with other cities also in line. Hamilton has a place in that funding line, and we intend to keep our place very near the front. Hamilton has spent the last several years completing its due diligence in planning for LRT so we will be ready to take the next steps as part of the Metrolinx strategy. Hamilton must remain competitive, not only internationally and nationally, but also regionally. As you are well aware, modern transit is one important contributor to being competitive. We want to ensure that Hamilton receives its fair share from the province for transit funding, whether from the provinces general revenues, or from special revenue tools being considered currently. We know that such revenue tools will generate funding from Hamiltonians and we wont accept a lower quality transit investment locally, only to see our money go towards building higher quality subways in Toronto or LRT in Mississauga. We want and need the province to be our partners in success. We are ready for LRT. If introduced today, LRT along our preferred route would already have ridership

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comparable with many successful North American systems, including San Francisco, Portland and Minneapolis. However, Hamiltonians simply cant afford to modernize our transit system and to achieve the benefits of moving more of our people throughout our city, nor can we afford to realize the proven economic development benefits of LRT, by ourselves. We need the provincial government to honour the funding commitments that have already been made. Im writing to you because I believe someone has to stand up for all Hamiltonians when it comes to ensuring promises made to our citizens are kept. In my view, we have to reduce the level of noise and mixed messages you have been receiving and increase the clarity and consistency in the communication of Hamiltons democratically approved priorities. I know my Council colleagues want the same thing. Finally, I would appreciate hearing from you with an update as to where Hamilton stands in your plans for LRT funding.

Yours truly,

Brian McHattie Ward 1 Councillor City of Hamilton cc Hon Ted McMeekin, MPP, Minister of Community and Social Services cc Hon Glen Murray, MPP, Minister of Infrastructure