The Richmond Chamber of Commerce is siding with the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition, which launched its public marketing campaign Thursday.
“Richmond is a key transit hub for goods that move via air, sea and road; the efficient movement of goods and people in our region is a vital component to future economic growth and sustainability. A ‘Yes’ vote means less congestion, a stronger economy, and a healthier community,” stated Matt Pitcairn, the chamber’s manager of policy and communications.
The coalition includes the Vancouver Board of Trade, Alma Mater Society of UBC, Unifor, the David Suzuki Foundation and Fraser Health.
The coalition claims to have 65 organizations on board to support the ‘yes’ side for an upcoming referendum, this March, asking the Metro Vancouver public to either support or decline an additional 0.5 per cent sales tax to fund Translink initiatives.
The Richmond Chamber of Commerce is also siding with the
Richmond stands to gain increased Canada Line service, a Metrotown B-Line bus and more frequent buses within the next 10 years with the additional revenue.
It has been said strange bedfellows have formed the coalition.
“It speaks to how important transit and transportation is for everyone,” said Peter Robinson, CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation in a news release.
“These diverse groups are united in their knowledge that this referendum is one of the most important decisions facing our region, for the economy, environment, health and our quality of life,” he added.
“People from all walks of life know that we cannot afford to stand by as congestion worsens throughout the region,” said Vancouver Board of Trade president and CEO Iain Black in the same release.
“Gridlock is costing our economy dearly and we must dramatically improve the movement of goods, services and people if we want to remain competitive,” he added.
The Mayor’s Council proposed the new tax and claims it will be handled in a transparent fashion.
‘No’ campaigners state that Translink is ill qualified to handle more tax money.
