"We'll just have to agree to disagree," countered City of Ottawa director of economic development and strategic projects Réjean Chartrand to dissident comments about the proposed light rail transit system.

Mr. Chartrand spoke Tuesday at the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) luncheon at the Congress Centre, where new executive director Dean Karakasis was introduced.

Mr. Chartrand said he wouldn't be going with the current plan if he didn't believe in it with his heart and soul.

That declaration wasn't enough for some in the audience of about 175 people . "A tunnel will be required within 10 to 15 years," charged Gillin Engineering and Construction president Patrick Gillin. "Why put the track down Albert and Slater streets when it isn't going to work? Delay the downtown section until you look at a real study for a tunnel. It's politically driven, not economically that's pushing this through downtown."

Jack McGuinty said the people who most deserve light rail are those traveling east-west, as opposed to north and south. "Your way is a waste of time. The people who really deserve this are being denied."

But Mr. Chartrand argued that an east-west line would bypass downtown and its merchants, while an immediate north-south route would drop "40,000 riders a day on your doorsteps," and emphasized the appeal of the route to residents for weekend outings in addition to weekday commuting.

He also said an inter-provincial study involving adding Gatineau to the route would begin shortly.