VANCOUVER, BC: The following is a statement from Jordan Bateman, the BC Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) and leader of the successful No TransLink Tax plebiscite campaign, following the TransLink Mayors’ announcement today about funding for system improvements:

“Today’s announcement by the TransLink Mayors of next steps toward improved transit service across the region is good news, and proves what the No TransLink Tax campaign said during last year’s plebiscite.

“TransLink has found $124 million in savings to put toward the up-front cost of improved service, and another $45 million per year in additional fares and more savings to put toward the operating costs – showing the agency was not being run as efficiently as possible when they demanded a regional sales tax.

“The CTF is calling upon the mayors to cut their cities’ own property tax hikes and development fees and red tape to offset the increases for TransLink. If TransLink service is as significant a regional priority as the mayors claim, they should change their spending plans to reflect it.

“We do have questions about the $290 million in ‘other regional contributions’ that is included in the plan – this should not be new taxes.

“As for future phases and taxes, the CTF remains opposed to road taxes, given the region’s 48 cents/L gas tax and the already high cost of living. Road taxes are an unfair, extra burden on drivers and businesses throughout the region, and the public should reject it.

“The entire TransLink Mayors’ plan, including Surrey light rail and Arbutus subway, can be funded by allocating just 0.3% of the cities’ annual 5% revenue growth rate. That’s where the money should come from.”