VANCOUVER – A New Democrat government will get Metro Vancouver commuters moving again by increasing the provincial share of capital funding for public transportation improvements to 40 percent, clearing the way to shorter commutes and thousands of new construction jobs over the next 10 years.

“We’re stepping up while the B.C. Liberal government continues to stall. Because Christy Clark hasn’t done her work, the people of Metro Vancouver can’t get to work. I say let’s get moving on building transit and creating new jobs,” B.C. New Democrat Leader John Horgan said.

“A New Democrat government will increase the province’s capital share from 33 per cent to 40 per cent to get moving on the transportation planning framework developed by Metro Vancouver mayors.

“Our plan delivers clear benefits for commuters, the environment and our economy. We’ll put people to work building infrastructure, generating more than 4,300 jobs a year for British Columbians over 10 years. That’s almost $3 billion in wages over the coming years, and a contribution of almost $4.5 billion to the B.C. economy,” said Horgan.

“The Metro mayors have worked hard to develop a 10-year transportation plan, and New Democrats support their vision. We’re going to work together to break the gridlock on our roads, fight climate change, and create thousands of good jobs as we move ahead.”

Horgan said the mayors’ plan provides 1.5 million more people with reliable public transit service, cuts congested commutes by up to half an hour every day, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

“Instead of leading the way, Christy Clark has continually stood in the way. The premier forced an expensive, made-to-fail referendum on voters, she picked fights with Lower Mainland mayors over funding, and she has stalled and dithered and blocked the way forward for years now.

“The mayors have made it clear they need provincial support to get people and goods moving smoothly across Metro. We can’t afford to wait any longer for Christy Clark to do her job. Her inaction is holding back people and holding back our economy.

“I’m ready to take the lead and work with the mayors to get this done,” Horgan said.

Read more about the plan here: Let’s Get Moving – Backgrounder