Coming LRT will be costly
Re: As council debates LRT operations, costs remain a mystery (April 19)
Congratulations to Scott Radley for continuing to ask the tough questions on LRT. Trying to settle this issue now is like deciding who gets to turn the steering wheel on the Titanic.
All members of council should be required to read the book “How Big Things Get Done,” by Bent Flyvbjerg. The author has done detailed studies on projects such as buildings, IT programs, the Olympics and transit. He states the “Iron Law” of such projects is “over budget, over time, under benefits, over and over.” According to his studies of efforts around the world, successful completion on all criteria occurred only one half of one per cent of the time. Among the biggest culprits were rail projects which ran, on average, 45 per cent over estimated cost.
The ill-fated Hamilton route is already in the hole for over six years of office expenses plus much of the collected property along King Street East, and will soon attempt to add 28 additional properties along the route. Taxpayers will be fronting the costs of all of this, but will be unlikely to see any returns for many years after the wheels start rolling.
The LRT fiasco is like a three-legged stool, but two of those partners seem to have no memory of it. The province is heavily involved with new efforts elsewhere in the GTA, and the federal government failed to mention it in the recent budget outline stretching to the next decade.
It’s time for Hamilton to pull out its leg of the stool and focus on the needs that are mentioned over and over again, including in this newspaper: housing, carbon, health care and inflation.
Possible housing in limbo
You should do an article on how many thousands of units of Hamilton housing are stuck awaiting an OLT decision because city council held them up. Just imagine what an impact those would have on our rents if city council actually allowed housing to be built.
John Merrall, Hamilton
Not a word from Poilievre
A couple of weeks ago the price of gasoline rose by three cents per litre due to a scheduled increase in the federal price on carbon. Most Canadians will get about an equivalent amount back through the federal carbon tax rebate. The program is designed for the public good as a tool in our very serious fight against our self-inflicted wound of global warming.
Across the land, Pierre Poilievre and various premiers (mostly Conservative) were heard screeching at the top of their lungs almost nonstop.
A couple of days ago the price of gasoline rose by 14 cents per litre because, well, because the fossil fuel industry felt like it. This is more than four times the increase to help save our future. The money all went straight into the pockets of the corporations and the rich who own them (many not Canadian).
I didn’t hear even the smallest peep from Mr. Poilievre. How odd. I thought he was concerned about the “affordability crisis.”
Vote for him if you want, but you won’t be reaping the rewards, the rich will. All you’ll get is more fires, floods, huge storms and killer heat waves.
Michael Blythe, Scotland, Brant County
No protests over gas hike?
Earlier in March, a well-organized protest was organized across Canada against the four-cent carbon tax raise. This week the oil companies raised gas prices by 14 cents. What? No protest. I guess the Conservatives had other things to do.
We were told that the gas prices were raised because they have to refine a “summer gas.” I think this is but another ploy by the oil companies to tell the public that they intend to stay in business for a long time. An oil executive stated that their “transition plan” will be delayed until the Conservatives win the next election. Then they won’t have to worry about carbon tax or the “transition plan.”
Something to think about before we vote in the next election.
Roman Caruk, Hamilton
Learning some Titanic lessons
As we celebrate Earth Day Monday and the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic (April 15), an analogy comes to mind. On a background of devastating climate change, the Earth is at risk of sinking. In many African countries, consecutive droughts have caused repeated crop failures. In Ethiopia alone, 16 million people face food shortages. We in North America are those in the lifeboats, watching those bobbing around in the water at risk of sinking into famine, screaming out for help. Just like those on the night of April 15, 1912, we have more room, resources and time to help those at risk.
We may be blamed by future generations (as long as there are future generations) for not hearing, for not doing enough. We cannot claim innocence. It has never been easier to lend a hand through sponsorship. The federal government is offering excellent support for those who want to sponsor Sudanese families for immigration. If individuals do not have enough money for sponsorship, they can donate what they are able. There are many good NGOs offering help — Canadian Food Grains Bank, UN refugee agency (UNHCR), and others.
We blame previous generations for ignoring crises of the 20th century. We are watching our own generation’s crisis unfold. How will we stand up to scrutiny when our children and grandchildren are writing the history textbooks of the 2020s? Those in the Titanic’s lifeboats waited until the cries faded and lived with regret for not doing anything. We can do something.
Beverley Smith, Stoney Creek
Admirable skill and ingenuity
As I was driving through the city I saw a cluster of tents and tarps. I thought, how on earth do the people keep them up and grounded through winter storms, snow, rain and summer heat? There is less room than in a jail cell. Their ingenuity and skill to survive month after month into years is astounding. No running water, no toilets and no heating. We hear about the drug and mental problems in their community — same as my community. I admire those who live in tents as I know I wouldn’t survive that life. I hope the mayor gets the support needed to move the housing file forward. The mayor made the homeless visible, God willing they won’t fade away again.
Annette Gibson, Hamilton
