s a veteran of provincial and municipal political wars who asserted “change happens with experienced leadership.”
The discussion was cordial but Loomis did not hesitate to take aim at his main competitors as part of a generation of political leaders who had squabbled on the LRT and otherwise were allegedly responsible for Hamilton’s failure to capitalize on economic opportunities. Loomis and Horwath said they were big believers in Hamilton’s LRT project. Horwath said the LRT “absolutely will transform our city, but we have to also make sure that we are creating opportunities for other parts of Hamilton.”Government has a role to play in making sure that the pieces that you need for approvals or for permits…are easy to get,Loomis claimed to have played a role in resurrecting the project after the provincial government had scrapped it.
Horwath commented that Loomis was a recent convert on area rating. Further on the topic of commitment, she said her collaboration skills would help the private sector create jobs in Hamilton.