Ottawa mayoral candidates debate LRT

The city's light rail public-transit plan was a majortopic during a debate Friday featuringOttawa's four leading mayoral candidates.

Andrew Haydon lashed out atthe city's planned $2.1-billion light rail plan, while fellow candidate Larry O'Brien, Jim Watson, and Clive Doucet defended it.

The plan, funded by three levels of government,wouldsee the construction of a 12.5-kilometrelight rail line from Tunney's Pasture to Blair Station, and a 3.2-kilometre tunnel through the downtown.

Haydon called the plan a "hoax" that would make contractors rich and taxpayers poor.

He alsocriticizedWatson for softening on the issue. The day beforethe plan was first approved by city council in January, Watson said he was concerned about the project's price tag, that he would rethink the downtown tunnel,and that he might consider a "BRT" a bus-only plan.

On Friday, Watson saidditching the LRT plan would cost taxpayers money and the city its credibility, though he also said the plan should be managed by the province and an independent private-sector board, rather than the city.

Watson said it was time to move forward and that if the city reversed its decision, it would set the city back.

O'Brien,is the incumbent,has been a strongproponent of the plan.

Doucet supported a light rail plan, but one that is substantially different from the current plan, includingadvancingthe timeline but holding off on the tunnel.

BothO'Brien andDoucetsaid the plan is affordable, but Haydon said he believes the cost ofthe planwoulddoubleduring construction.

Candidates will take part in debate on theenvironment Sunday night.

The election is Oct. 25.