The NDP is against a tax hike to fund transit
Posted February 7, 2013 3:22 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – More negative response to a proposal by Metro Vancouver mayors to fund transit.
The leader of the BC NDP is not a big fan of a pitch to raise the sales tax by up to half a per cent.
“It’s not the right idea, and it’s not the right moment,” says Adrian Dix. “I’ll review what they have to say, and I respect it, but I’m far from agreeing with it.”
The NDP is in favour of putting some of the carbon tax revenue towards transit.
“That’s our position right now. We’ll look at some of the other things the mayors have proposed,” adds Dix.
The mayors are looking for ways to raise money to fund expansion of the system.
They’ve presented three short-term ideas and two long-term strategies that include a vehicle levy, using carbon tax revenue, the explorations of land value capture, and a comprehensive road pricing system.
BC Transportation Minister Mary Polak has asked the mayors to give her more information, including which transit expansion plan would go first.
Richard Walton, Chair of the Mayors’ Council on Transportation is meeting with Transportation Minister Mary Polak next week.
