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Premier announces audit of TransLink

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PORT MOODY (NEWS1130) – Premier Christy Clark has announced a full audit of TransLink to try to find money to pay for the Evergreen transit line and other projects and avoid imposing a vehicle levy or another carbon tax on drivers.

“There is still a funding gap for the Evergreen Line – $30 million – and we are going to find that through an audit of TransLink,” said Clark at the end of a campaign-style stop in Port Moody to introduce the two Liberal candidates in the upcoming April 19 byelections in Port Moody-Coquitlam and Chilliwack-Hope.

“TransLink is a $1-billion organization.  We are not going to find it through a vehicle levy or other sources. We are going to find it within TransLink,” Clark said.

“When we did an audit of BC Hydro, we found very significant savings for taxpayers.  And whenever you’re looking at a big organization that spends $1 billion a year, you can find savings,” she added.

Mayors across Metro Vancouver have called for an independent audit of TransLink books before, arguing the transit authority needs a review before mayors raise any more taxes or impose new tolls to pay for transit.

The NDP has also pushed for an audit.

Clark says a date for the audit to begin hasn’t been set yet but talks with mayors will start soon.

It’s about time, say mayors

Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart says mayors have been nearly unanimous that TransLink must be more accountable.

“I actually think [TransLink] is relatively well-run.  I think there are still some savings to be had there and savings that can be re-invested in transportation options across the region,” he said.

“[Mayors] don’t have any access to TransLink’s books more than you do.  We’re not invited to TransLink’s board meetings,” Stewart said.  “The biggest challenge right now is the governance structure that makes it so that even mayors have no idea what TransLink spends some of its money on and whether there are better efficiencies that can be incurred.”

Delta Mayor Lois Jackson says if Clark is demanding more accountability from local governments, TransLink shouldn’t be exempt.

“I believe that if the premier is saying that all of us, all municipalities and regional districts in the province, should be under an auditor, then TransLink should also be under that umbrella,” she notes. “There are many, many efficiencies that could be gleened out of an audit.”

Earlier this month, the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation wrote Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom suggesting a vehicle levy, a new regional carbon tax, or another fuel tax be imposed on drivers to help pay for the $30 million shortfall.  Lekstrom said the taxes wouldn’t happen but he would consider the vehicle levy.

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