Dear Editor:
There are many pros and cons to this vote on the additional tax to pay for transit funding. Taxpayers must note that presently they hold the ball on this tax. If the tax passes, they have to remember, everyone pays, including tourists. Also, the tax being incorporated into the seven per cent retail tax is remitted to the provincial government in Victoria. All Lower Mainland municipalities have no access to this tax, so the money is safe and cannot be spent foolishly like on extravagant wages.
If the tax does not pass, there are many PLAN B's available. One of the Plan B's could be a substantial increase in property taxes. One way or another, the taxpayers are going to foot the bill for transit funding, because the B.C. Liberal government is not going to ever increase income taxes.
Looking at the vote option in comparison to many Plan B's, the most logical and cheapest form option to the taxpayers would be to vote for the additional 0.5 per cent.
Joe Sawchuk, by email
