Billionaire Jim Pattison to oversee congestion tax revenue
Posted March 5, 2015 6:20 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BURNABY (NEWS1130) – Do you find it hard to trust TransLink with more money?
Billionaire businessman Jim Pattison will be overseeing all funds from the proposed transportation improvement tax, if it’s approved in the upcoming transit tax vote.
You’re being told his position will be strictly volunteer, as it will be for the other business minds sitting on the Public Accountability Committee.
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner says Pattison has a history of strong moves in BC. “Such credibility behind his name, Jimmy Pattison agreeing to step up and to acknowledge that this is a really important milestone for our region.”
“He’s not involved in the campaign, in any way. He’s taking an independent role to scrutinize that spending and make sure we all have confidence in it,” adds Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
Pattison says he won’t have 100 per cent say on who makes up the committee. “The mayors will decide, including myself. I will have some participation in that. There will be a number of independent, qualified people that will be on this, sort of, accountability committee.”
The team will look at spending and projects for the year ahead. It will also break down how money was used in the past.
This includes making sure things like new buses are implemented, along with a set timeline.
