Premier says transit referendum timing open for discussion
Posted January 27, 2014 12:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS1130) – Lower Mainland mayors may end up getting more time to come up with a way to fund regional transit — that is, if the premier gives in.
Christy Clark has indicated that she is open to talks on new transit referendum date.
She says the mayors are the ones who will have to leaders; the mayors are also the ones asking for an extension.
“I appreciate that referenda can be complicated and these have been complicated in other jurisdictions. Sometimes they do need a little more time. That’s what the mayors have been saying. [Transportation Minister] Todd Stone is continuing to talk to them about that and so will I.”
But she prefers the referendum question to coincide with the civic election. “I think voter turnout would be great and people get a chance to really focus on that issue.”
She says if the referendum is going to succeed, the mayors know that it is their taxpayers and their organization in TransLink most affected.
Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts thinks an extension is the prudent thing to do.
“We have a tight timeframe, this is a really important issue; we need to make sure the public is well engaged and informed.”
She says when it is tied to an election, it becomes very political. “The conversations that occur don’t necessarily depict the issues of region, as oppose to a political perspective.”
