While Vancouver City Council unanimously agreed to support the ‘Yes’ vote in the now up-and-running transit tax mail-in plebiscite, Richmond councillors — represented by all four political slates — are less inclined to take a unified stand.
Three councillors — Carol Day, Derek Dang and Chak Au — confirmed they will be voting ‘No’ in the transit tax plebiscite.
All of them have taken issue with Translink, Metro Vancouver’s transportation authority.
“I have no problem with the Mayors’ Council plans for development. And I totally agree we need to develop a better transportation system. But I cannot help but cast doubt on the efficiencies and effectiveness of Translink under the current leadership to carry out the plan,” said Au, pointing mainly to the failed Compass fare card system.
“I’m a weak ‘No,’” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Day was somewhat pleased to learn a committee led by businessman Jimmy Pattison would oversee the tax funds.
However, “at this time, with limited information, I personally, as a taxpayer, I would vote ‘No.’ Translink has not done a good enough job,” said Day, who likened the plebiscite to “blackmail.”
A conflicted Dang said he would vote ‘No’ if the Mayors’ Council did not present a term limit on the tax or a mechanism to review it, which, to date, it has not.
“It’s a qualified ‘Yes’ in the sense that I’d say 'No' if there’s no term. There should be a term limit. …I don’t think they’ve warranted complete trust on the complete funds,” said Dang.
Meanwhile six council members, including Mayor Malcolm Brodie, will be voting ‘Yes’ in the plebiscite.
“The biggest issue for the public is Translink’s reputation and that’s a big mountain to climb. But in the big picture we have to get more cars off the road I think this is the best of the worst scenario,” said Coun. Linda McPhail.
Coun. Harold Steves said he supports the idea of funding transit with a sales tax and this will ultimately override his dislike for TransLink's performance.
Coun. Ken Johnston, who operates a delivery service company, also favours the tax, stating the region is already “30 years behind in infrastructure and planning.”
Coun. Bill McNulty panned Translink as well and echoed concerns about the management of the funds — expected to be about $250 million per year — but ultimately he said he will vote ‘Yes.’
“I’m voting rationally rather than emotionally. Translink doesn’t deserve it but the people of British Columbia do,” said McNulty.
After initially criticizing Translink early on, Coun. Alexa Loo has since come on board to support the ‘Yes’ side.
Meanwhile, the most recent Angus Reid poll indicates 61 per cent of the public will vote ‘No.’
An informal survey of about 400 Richmond News readers showed 68 per cent saying ‘No.’
According to Fairchild Radio director Seme Ho, 80 per cent of participants at a public transit tax forum at Aberdeen Centre opposed the tax.
