VANCOUVER – New Democrat spokesperson on TransLink George Heyman issued the following statement after news that Transportation Minister Todd Stone had changed his mind – again – and would now be supporting a Yes vote in the Lower Mainland transit referendum:

“The B.C. Liberals don’t know which side is up on the TransLink funding referendum. The premier tried to dodge this vital funding issue by forcing a referendum in the first place, and even said her government would be hands off. The transportation minister has said he is ‘committed to success’, but a week ago the government said they wouldn’t support either side. Now, Minister Stone says he supports a Yes vote.

“Premier Clark has a long history of overruling her transportation ministers, so it will be interesting to see whether she shuts down her transportation minister once again.

“Minister Stone’s latest position leaves more questions than answers: What does supporting a Yes vote mean to them? Does it mean they will actively campaign, or does it mean they will sit and watch from the sidelines? Why do the B.C. Liberals refuse to do what’s right for people across the Lower Mainland who deserve solutions to the gridlock they face and the economic handcuffs that come with it?

“It’s time the B.C. Liberals got off the fence and joined New Democrats who will be campaigning for a Yes vote.”