2015 Metro Vancouver Transportation and Transit Plebiscite - Result In - 62% NO

[DonLever]

The Mayors Council has passed the Transit referendum question:

Do you support a one half percentage point increase (0.5%) to the PST in Metro Vancouver dedicated to a regional transportation plan?

It will be a mail in ballot sometime in the spring.

Update July 2, 2015:

From CKNW:

Metro Vancouver residents have turned down the controversial transit tax.

The vote was 61.68% no, and 38.32% yes. The turnout was 48.4%.

It means residents rejected a 0.5-per-cent rise in the sales tax to pay for $7.5-billion worth of transit and transportation projects over the next decade.

Only three municipalities had majorities for the “yes” vote: Bowen Island, Belcarra and Metro Vancouver Electoral Area “A.”

A “no” vote takes us back to square one: We need more money to pay for repairs and upgrades, but there’s no agreement on how to generate the cash.

We’ll likely see all the mayors take a breather and figure out what they can reasonably achieve, if anything.

Vancouver wants a subway line down Broadway. Surrey wants light rail. Both are harder to achieve without the blend of city, provincial and federal funding that a “yes” vote would have provided.

Jordan Bateman with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says Translink needs to rebuild the public’s trust, but adds the outcome likely doesn’t mean the transit plans are all shelved.

“Some things will continue on. I mean, the Pattullo Bridge doesn’t need the tax to be built, so progress will continue on that. This fall, no doubt we’ll have multiple announcements from the federal leaders showing up in Surrey to fund their federal share of light-rail there.”

Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner has already said she will pursue a public-private partnership on light-rail.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone says the government doesn’t have a plan B, but has already committed to a third of the funding needed for the $7.5-billion plan.

Here is a link to the vote breakdown.

The plebiscite was not cheap.

Aside from the millions spent by the Yes side, Elections BC had to foot a sizeable bill.

“We’ll finalize the numbers over the coming weeks, but our budget was just under six million dollars to administer the event,” says chief electoral officer Keith Archer.

[aGENT]

Oh boy! This ought to be fun!

[Phil_314]

Why do we need another tax increase?

[aGENT]

Why do we need another tax increase?

Inefficiencies in government.

Next question!

[Kakanucks]

how about we see this so called "plan" before we vote yes or no.

[AppleJack]

How about they take a 5% levy from Christy Clarks paycheck instead of raising taxes again!?!

[Lychees]

No

Money won't solve Translink's incompetence, and I'm far too lazy to link all the hubbub over the years

[TOMapleLaughs]

So metro vancouver is affected? Or the entire province?

[stexx]

when translink stops spending money on useless projects that do not generate profit & that dont even work yet then maybe they deserve a tax increase. Until they can stop being completely braindead & incompetant this should be voted down.

Also the same company that translink is using for the compass system is being sued by the city of chicago for its horrific network & services, but dont worry translink already gave them a blank cheque i wonder whos uncles cousin owns/works for that company?

[Newsflash]

I need to know what Translink will do with the money.

[ronthecivil]

I will vote yes but I will be on the losing side.

Canadian Taxpayers Federation already announced new campaign to fight against what they are calling the "Translink Tax".

This campaign is going to make the HST look tame by comparison.....

[ronthecivil]

How about they take a 5% levy from Christy Clarks paycheck instead of raising taxes again!?!

Because 5% of a six figure salary doesn't begin to dent the budget in billions of dollars in needed infrastructure?

I swear it's going to take the Putello bridge falling into the river on a Friday afternoon commute (which would require nothing more than a MODERATE earthquake to occur) for people to figure out that our whole infrastructure system is inadequate, obsolete, and in a state of general disrepair.

But hey, why think of practical solutions when we can take a shot at the current government right?

[ronthecivil]

when translink stops spending money on useless projects that do not generate profit & that dont even work yet then maybe they deserve a tax increase. Until they can stop being completely braindead & incompetant this should be voted down.

Also the same company that translink is using for the compass system is being sued by the city of chicago for its horrific network & services, but dont worry translink already gave them a blank cheque i wonder whos uncles cousin owns/works for that company?

Privatise translink.

If the private company is incompetent, you fire them.

Problem solved.

[Gurn]

Privatise translink.

If the private company is incompetent, you fire them.

Problem solved.

How is that model working out at BC Ferries?

[ckamo]

I need to know what Translink will do with the money.

Probably just give these figures a little boost...

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/public-sector-salaries/basic.html?appSession=788484861867264

[drummer4now]

How is that model working out at BC Ferries?

Contrary to popular belief BC Ferries isn't technically a private company, but a crown corporation disguised as one.

The government still controls it top to bottom with share holders have say here and there..

Nothing would change if Translink followed that model.

[ronthecivil]

Contrary to popular belief BC Ferries isn't technically a private company, but a crown corporation disguised as one.

The government still controls it top to bottom with share holders have say here and there..

Nothing would change if Translink followed that model.

When I said privatize I meant PRIVATE......

[RonMexico]

Well with the price of oil bottoming out lately, Translink should have more money in it's backpocket. Less operating costs means more profit.

But not so shockingly, even with the price break at the pump, no other prices for services will drop.

[Heretic]

So...it's only for Metro Vancouver right?

Why don't they do what they always do? increase the tax on gasoline.

[Standing_Tall#37]

As long as it is for the southern part of the province I say raise it by 2% and start budgeting for some capital expenditures as well.