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Stephen McNeil says Liberals will support commuter rail in Halifax

Stephen McNeil says Liberals will support commuter rail in Halifax

Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil appeared before Halifax regional council Tuesday and offered up some softball support for metro-friendly initiatives like commuter rail and a new waterfront art gallery.

On commuter rail, McNeil told councillors he was prepared to work with them on the long-discussed project.

"We will partner to look at every aspect of commuter rail," he said.

McNeil later told reporters a Liberal government would participate in a feasibility study as part of the development of an overall transportation strategy for the capital.

He also dismissed the NDP's promises around commuter rail as inadequate.

NDP Leader Gary Burrill said if elected, an NDP government would provide up to $5 million annually to help cover the operating costs of a commuter rail system.

McNeil also suggested it was time to relieve container truck congestion in the city downtown by relocating some CN rail operations outside the city core.

Halifax council heard Tuesday morning from the leaders of Nova Scotia's three main parties as they campaign before the May 30 election.

Bayers Lake outpatient centre

McNeil defended his government's decision to locate a new outpatient centre in Bayers Lake, saying it was the best site of 15 examined by the province. The facility's services would include blood collection, diagnostic imaging, medical and surgical clinics along with pre- and post-operative care.

The site was criticized for having poor public transit access, as well as the price of the land.

McNeil told council outpatient services will still be available for metro residents at an upgraded facility at the Halifax Infirmary on the Halifax peninsula.

Baillie not a fan of Bayers Lake plan

PC Leader Jamie Baillie criticized the Liberals for planning the Bayers Lake outpatient centre plan without adequate consultation with the city.

"That would not happen under a Jamie Baillie Progressive Conservative government," he said.

Baillie said another example of poor communication by the Liberals was a pledge by Halifax Atlantic candidate Brendan McGuire to clean up a water pollution problem in Harrietsfield. A spokesperson for Halifax Mayor Mike Savage told CBC News there was no formal arrangement in place for the cleanup.

Updating the city charter

Baillie said he would update the city's charter to give the municipality more control over its affairs. Presently, the province has to amend legislation to authorize activities not contained in the current charter.

"I'm prepared as new premier to sit down and work with a renewed HRM charter," Baillie told council.

Burrill and McNeil also pledged to update the city charter.

Clear cutting confusion

McNeil also faced questions about an inaccurate claim in an ad for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island Liberal candidate Labi Kousoulis in a weekly Halifax newspaper that raised questions about the party's efforts to fight clear cutting.

The ad that appeared in The Coast says the Liberal government stopped clear cutting on Crown land.

In fact, the Liberals have frozen long-term leases on Crown land, but the practice continues under a current lease with WestFor, a consortium of sawmills.

McNeil told reporters Kousoulis would have to answer for the ad.