Ontario regional council spurns LRT referendum
Written by Douglas John BowenOntario province’s Waterloo-Kitchener-Cambridge Regional Council on June 2 voted 7-3 not to reopen the debate on its regional transportation plan via a referendum, despite calls for such a move by some municipal officials, led by Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran.
Halloran had noted opposition to a proposed C$818 million two-mode network to connect Waterloo and Kitchener by light rail and Cambridge by rapid bus.
The council instead will continue to receive public input at community hearings, and may make a final decision on June 15 on a preferred plan. One possible outcome is a commitment to LRT or BRT, but not both.
Jane Mitchell, one of three Waterloo representatives on regional council, told local media there had been “lots and lots” of public feedback provided through more than 130 public meetings, as well as emails and phone calls.
