After an LRT win, it's time to fight misinformation, mayor says

The morning after a crucial vote to keep Hamilton's $1 billion light rail transit project moving, Mayor Fred Eisenberger is turning his eye to healing bitter divisions in the city, and battling misinformation still swirling about the project.

Though last night's 10-5 to submit an updated environmental assessment (EA) to the province vote is a win in his eyes, Eisenberger says there's still lots of work to be done.

"I think our challenge is going to be to make sure that we get out ahead of the information that's out there," Eisenberger said, pointing to factors like the 3,500 new jobs that would be created in Hamilton to develop the system.

"This is one hurdle in the process I'm not ready to do cartwheels just yet."

But it's a major hurdle. Had last night's vote not passed, Hamilton's project could have ground to a standstill, and suffered a possible "death by delay."

Ten votes is a positive sign that I think people are ready to move forward.- Mayor Fred Eisenberger

In the end, even ardent anti-LRT Coun. Chad Collins voted in favour of the project, though he noted after the meeting that the city is "divided" over the prospect of LRT.

Mountain Coun. Terry Whitehead, who questioned the project at every turn, also voted in favour, but he and others said at the meeting they reserved their right to vote against the project at a later date, should things not progress as hoped.

While Eisenberger concedes there is still a bumpy road aheadfor the project, he doesn't expect as much consternation moving forward, and hopes councillors will see the project as a deal that's happening.

"I'm hoping that yesterday was the benchmark," Eisenberger said.

"Ten votes is a positive sign that I think people are ready to move forward. And even those that were detractors have said that once the vote is done, they're prepared to not be a barrier to next steps."

Wednesday's vote came after the province said the system would go from McMaster University to Eastgate Square with the same timeline and price tag. That was the original plan, but in 2015, the province announced LRT from McMaster to the Queenston traffic circle.

Late Wednesday, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca issued a letter saying the province will include Eastgate Square in the $1 billion plan. Ted McMeekin, Liberal MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, said the plan is for the Eastgate addition to not add to the budget or time line. That means there may be a need to find savings in other part of the plan.

Eisenberger said that announcement from the province did a lot to shift opinions inside the council chamber.

"Including Eastgate certainly tempers misgivings," he said.

Keanin Loomis, the president and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, told CBC News that he feels like he woke up in a new city this morning.

"I think last night was the birth of a new Hamilton," Loomis said. "Now, we can focus on the future."