BC gov’t won’t use carbon tax revenue to fund Metro transit

METRO VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Carbon tax revenue will not be used to help fund transit projects in Metro Vancouver, despite repeated calls from the Opposition, some local mayors and critics.

The BC Liberals say it’s something that’s just not fair to the rest of the province.

Transportation Minister Mary Polak says any provincially-based funding model has been ruled out.

“That’s something we reject. We don’t think that the rest of the province should be funding the basic operations and expansion for Metro transit; that should come regionally,” she argues.

“If [Metro mayors] wish to see a new funding source established, then they must choose one that is regionally-based,” she maintains.

Regional mayors have come up with funding options, including a vehicle levy and a regional sales tax. But Polak says before any of that could go ahead, the public would have to be extensively consulted on why the money is needed, and how much.

These comments from Polak come as the carbon tax is being reviewed.

There is no new progress in the transit funding debate. Don’t expect a decision ahead of the election, either.

The NDP still believes the carbon tax is the top funding model.

Transportation Critic Harry Bains says Polak doesn’t have to rule it out because she doesn’t want the entire province to pay.

He says there could be  funding formula that uses only Metro Vancouver money.

“There is that money that is being collected from the Metro Vancouver area, and it’s easy to separate…how much is the total collected and how much is collected from Metro Vancouver,” he describes.

Bains says the carbon tax model just makes sense because if you tax the drivers you need to give them an alternative choice, and that will be more transit.