Letter From Jim Watson

On, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, Tim Lane, a member of the Friends of the O-Train, received the following letter from his MPP, Jim Watson, Ottawa West-Nepean.

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Dear Mr. Lane:

Thank you for your letter regarding the light-rail project.

As you know, Ottawa city council did vote to cancel the
project last week, and as such the province will now await
the next steps from city council.

Our Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal made it clear
(as did the Premier and I) that our funds were still on the table
and that we looked forward to reviewing a business case and
ridership study for any new proposal. Our bottom line has
always been that we believe the duly elected city council should
decide what is in Ottawa's best interest, and we will be there to
assist financially up to $200 million.

I have also mentioned to Mayor O'Brien that our capital dollars
can not be used to fund any potential lawsuit or other non-transit
use. I would encourage you and the Friends of the O-Train to
work with the new city council and take part in the six month
review and task force that Mayor O'Brien has announced.

I thank you again for your correspondence, and for your
continuing interest in Ottawa public transit.

Sincerely,
Jim Watson, M.P.P.
Ottawa West-Nepean