Mayor Jonathan Cote is convinced Metro Vancouver residents soundly defeated a proposed transit tax because of concerns about TransLink.
After tallying the results of 1.56 million registered voters in Metro Vancouver, Elections B.C. announced Thursday that 61.68 per cent voted No and 38.32 voted Yes.
“There was a high level of frustration with TransLink as an organization,” Cote said. “It doesn’t surprise me that we weren’t able to overcome that.”
Cote said he spent a lot of time in the referendum campaign talking about the mayor’s plan but heard time and time again, from road users and transit users, that people supported the plan and understood the reasons for improving public transit in the region, but they couldn’t vote Yes because of frustration with the TransLink organization.
Metro Vancouver residents were asked whether or not they’d support the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation’s request for a 0.5 per cent increase to the provincial sales tax to generate funding to expand the regional transit and transportation system.
“The referendum highlights that not only do we have a funding gap with public transit in our region, but we also have an accountability gap. I think we need to be advocating for both of these gaps to be addressed,” Cote told the Record. “We need to address the transparency and accountability, and really the public confidence in the transit organization. At the same time, I think we need to continue to advocate for a funding solution for public transit. As our region grows, I don’t think we can afford to let our infrastructure fall apart and not invest in our transportation system. I think the region is going to be worse off in that scenario.”
The plebiscite results were about voters rejecting a tax increase, not about the public perception of TransLink, according to Doug Allen, TransLink’s interim CEO.
“I know some of you will say this is about TransLink,” he said at a press conference on Thursday. “No, it is not.”
Allen went on to say the system is recognized by experts for its efficiency. The issue came down to the increased cost to voters. He said TransLink will review the system and work with the provincial government and the Mayors’ Council on a funding solution.
The mayors’ council on regional transportation approved a resolution Thursday stating that it is prepared to work with the province until the end of the year to address the funding and the accountability gap that exists with TransLink.
“These discussions have to be front and centre over the next six months,” Cote said. “I hope that the province can come to the table and recognize we have got a really big problem here in Metro Vancouver and we can’t just put our heads in the sand and pretend the problem doesn’t exist. I know the mayors are prepared to really work toward solving the funding issue and solving the accountability and public trust with TransLink, but we need to partner with the province or we are not going to be able to go anywhere.”
With files by Janaya Fuller-Evans/Burnaby NOW
