WLRT - 100 days

Jeff addresses recent developments in the Western LRT planning process, reiterates his campaign commitments, and pledges to keep residents informed as the Federal government and City work together to find a constructive way forward.  

The announcement by the NCC on November 21 with respect to the alignment of the western light rail transit (W-LRT) has generated an outpouring of discussion. That's healthy, and I would like to join the conversation with my own assessment.

During the election campaign, I made it clear that I'm fully supportive of expanding LRT as quickly and widely as possible. In my platform, in online postings, and in the debates I was open about my position that the best way to accomplish this would be to fully bury the Confederation Line along the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, the alignment proposed by the City in its 2013 Transportation Master Plan.

To do that, we need to have the permission of the landowner, the NCC. To date, it has not been willing to provide permission to the City to use its land based on the plans it has seen.

Following the NCC’s statement, it and City agreed to spend 100 days to seek a solution. I'm very encouraged by this development.

There has been an outpouring of thoughtful and considered comment in the past several weeks surrounding the NCC’s statement. I believe that the City has heard clearly the NCC’s conditions for use of its land. I don’t consider that these 100 days are an opportunity to hit re-set on W-LRT, but a chance to see whether there is a solution for the currently proposed route.

My commitment through this process is to ensure that residents are kept informed. I will be seeking to stay abreast of the progress of discussions, and share with residents as I learn more. Right now, the most we know is that the City and NCC are talking. Later this month, I’ll be sitting down with community association, condo and stakeholder representatives to discuss a broader community communications strategy.

Please keep writing and calling (Contact Us). I know that this will be an important point of discussion at my first Kitchissippi Ward Forum in mid-January, and look forward to look forward to continued discussions.