Cambridge councillor calls for plebiscite over LRT expansion

Since talks began years ago about bringing light rail transit (LRT) to Waterloo Region, the residents of Cambridge and their representatives have wondered when the ION trains will run in their city.

Regional Council’s Sustainability, Infrastructure and Development committee will receive a staff report at its next meeting that recommends expanding LRT service from the Kitchener Fairway transit hub to downtown Cambridge.

Through public engagement, residents of the region were asked if they supported the LRT expansion project. Of the over 2,500 residents who responded to an online survey, half of whom live in Cambridge, overwhelmingly support the expansion.

A full expansion is the most expensive option with an estimated price tag of $3.1 billion, rising to $4.3 billion by 2033.

But, Cambridge Ward 1 Councillor, Helen Shwery, isn’t buying what the region is selling.

She was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show and said the numbers from the region don’t match what she’s hearing on the ground.

“When I went door-knocking, I can tell you at least 1,000 people that I asked, only three said yes. The rest said no. So, are we listening to the Cambridge residents? It doesn’t appear to be.”

Shwery wonders if LRT is what her constituents need or if it’s something they just want.

“Who will be using the LRT? We’re spending a lot of money.”

Shwery said when she’s in Waterloo, she consistently sees half-filled ION trains and wonders where the ridership will come from. She also has concerns that the economic impact promised by the region won’t materialize.

“I heard you say billions of dollars in economic development. Where? I just would like to know where. Will it be high-rises? Like, where is this economic development? Nobody is telling us.”

So before the region plows ahead, Shwery is calling for a plebiscite, to directly ask Cambridge residents if they are truly in favour of expansion. She was asked when she’d like to see the vote take place.

“I would say as soon as possible,” she said. Going on to say, “Like, next week they are going to have a vote, which I, by the way I just found out through the media. I wasn’t told ahead of time that the region was going to have a vote; we weren’t informed of that. But, I think it should take place as soon as possible.”

Should the staff report be approved by the committee, a funding proposal will be created and presented to council during budget talks.