Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore knows he has his work cut out for him to convince Tri-City voters and others in Metro Vancouver to vote in favour the so-called congestion improvement tax to pay for $7.5 billion in transportation work.
But as the Mayors' Council spokesperson for the transit referendum, which will be held March 16 to May 29, Moore says he is up to the challenge, even if it means he has to spend time door-knocking and leafleting transit users and drivers just to get the word out.
"I don't mind the extra work," said Moore, a regular transit user. "This is far too important for this region going forward to not step up when you are asked."
Even the mayors' own polling and focus group inquiries suggest that a large group of people are still unaware of the upcoming referendum.
More importantly, Moore said, many don't understand the ramifications of saying No or how they will personally benefit with a Yes vote and shelling out more cash.
Up to now, much of the momentum in the lead-up to the campaign has gone to the No campaign, led by Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, and the no-new-taxes mantra has broad appeal. Moore admits the Mayors' Council is under the gun to find a way to reach to people to explain the necessity for the tax, what improvements the money will provide and who will benefit.
"We have to say, 'This is what you need to know: A no vote means more congestion.' We need to break that down for each city and neighbourhood."
Critics have charged that TransLink is irresponsible with taxpayers' funds or that money for improvements should come out of existing TransLink and government coffers, and Moore challenges them to say cuts should be made to free up money for road and transit improvements, especially now, when resource revenues are in free-fall.
As to why there is no deadline for ending the tax, Moore explained that ongoing revenue will be needed to cover debt payments from major capital expenditures and pay for people to run the additional services in the long term. He promised annual audits by a third party to make sure the funding goes where it's supposed to, although details on how this will work is still being decided.
"As a mayor, I want as much guarantee as I can for Port Coquitlam, [that] in five, six, seven years this plan is still being implemented, because I might be not be here."
According to Moore, his goal over the next few weeks will be to explain why, with a million people and 600,000 cars destined for the region, people should pay more for a transportation system that many can't envision or imagine using.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE TRI-CITIES
Voters will be asked to decide if they support a 0.5% increase to the provincial sales tax - called the Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax - to pay for a $7.5-billion transportation plan. Cost to average household is projected at $125 per year, cheaper than other options, according to mayors' council.
How does it work?
If you are a registered voter in Metro Vancouver, you will be able to vote by mail from March 16 to May 29. You can register or update your voter registration now to make sure you're ready to vote in the referendum. Call 1-800-661-8683, or register at https://eregister.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/ovr/welcome.aspx.
That's the big picture. But what's in it for the Tri-Cities?
improved bus service in Tri-Cities, including buses every 15 minutes days, evenings and seven days a week, and expanded service in new neighbourhoods, such as Burke Mountain;
upgrades to the Coquitlam Central and Port Coquitlam bus exchanges to handle more buses;
10 more trains and a locomotive for the West Coast Express;
11 new B Line (rapid bus) routes in the Metro region, including improved Tri-City connections to the Evergreen LIne, Maple Ridge and Langley, to help people get to jobs in other cities;
money for pedestrian and bike routes, including along the Evergreen Line, and money for road improvements to supplement local and government funding for regional roads such as the Fremont connector;
other regional projects: light rail in Surrey and Langley, a new four-lane Pattullo Bridge and Broadway Corridor rapid transit in Vancouver.
More information on the details of the plan for northeast residents is available at: mayorscouncil.ca/information-centre.
