Bratina says he won't run in next federal election, citing his government's LRT support

Liberal MP Bob Bratina said he won't run in the next federal election because of his own government's support for light-rail transit (LRT)in Hamilton.

The Hamilton East Stoney Creek MP said he won't quit the party orhaltconstituency work, but he will withdrawhis nomination for the next federal election.

"How will I go to my taxpayers, my residents, and say, 'Well, we really should do this, it's a great idea.' I don't believe it. So my only option really is to withdraw my nomination ...to say 'enough is enough' and at the end of the term, whenever it comes, I'll depart."

Bratina has been a vocal critic of LRT since his time as mayor, which ended in 2014 when he ran federally.

His announcement comes after the federal and provincial governments announced last week that they will spenda combined $3.4 billion to build an LRT system in Hamilton. Bratina was not present for the announcement.

Catherine McKenna,federal minister of infrastructure and communities, enthusiastically shared Ottawa's plans to commit $1.7 billion to the project.

"It's going to be awesome," she said.

If city council agrees to support the plan, Hamiltonwill be responsible for the operating costs.

The system would seea 14-kilometre line from McMaster University in the west end to Eastgate Square in Stoney Creek. The line would run alternately down King and Main streets.

Minister says she appreciates Bratina's'contributions'

When asked why he's going against his own party, Bratinasaid the concerns he raised about the project were ignored.

"Maybe they're going against me because nobody actually ever responded to the points that I made."

In a statement to CBC, McKenna didn't directly address Bratina'scomments that his input was ignored. But she described Bratina as a "strong advocate for Hamilton," andshe appreciates his "contributions to this important debate."

McKenna said the city's mayor and previous council support LRT, and that it will help "kick start the economy and create good jobs" while cutting down on commute times and helping people travel more affordably.

Bratina, meanwhile, said he's heard estimates that the operating cost of LRT would be $30 million a year, which he said would mean a "serious tax increase for already beleaguered residential taxpayers."

Bratina also said the system will only serve 15 to 20 per cent of the city, and that he took exception to McKenna describing the project as "shovel ready."

"It's not shovel ready," he said. "It's two years, at least, until shovels go into the ground."

Bratina has been a long-time supporter of bus rapid transit (BRT), which he said would better serve the entire city.

But both federal and provincial ministers were clear during their funding announcement that the investment is only available for an LRT.

Should city council try for a BRT, "there's no deal," said McKenna.

Hamilton LRT is 'going to happen,' says federal infrastructure minister

3 years ago

Duration 1:12

Ottawa will help pay for Hamilton Light Rail Transit, according to Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna, a system that's been in the works since 2007.

Bratina described that statement as "almost a bully tactic," adding he believescouncil should approachdifferent levels of government with a transit plan, not the other way around.

"This is the minister saying, 'We're going to give this money but you can only have it if you make that LRT and that's it," he said.

"Wait a minute, we already have a plan that's either an LRT or a BRT, so why are you jamming this down council's throat at the expense of everybody else in the city who has no access or need for this system, but will have to pay for it because taxes will go up drastically because of the cost of running the system?"

Retire? 'Why should I?" says Bratina

The LRT project dates back to 2007, when city council used a Metrolinx grant to do an environmental assessment. Council hasnot yet signed a master agreement, often cited as its "off ramp" out of the project.

Bratina, who was mayor from 2010 to 2014, clashed with some council members on the project. This included an April 2013 meeting where he acknowledged that "decorum fell apart a little."

The MP will be 77 in July. But when asked whether he would have retired at the end of his term anyway, he responded, "Why should I?"

Bratina said he's consider running for mayor again if the "right circumstances arose," adding he's "healthy, motivated" and knows Hamilton.

"Why should I sit back and watch? What I'm seeing going on now is almost a mismanagement of the city."