VANCOUVER – B.C. Liberal stalling is sabotaging the Lower Mainland’s transit referendum before it even gets under way, says New Democrat spokesperson on TransLink George Heyman.

“The premier and the minister have known for almost two years that their referendum to approve needed transit funding is looming. In fact, they are the ones who forced it on the mayors and on the public. But with just months to go, they have left crucial questions unanswered.”

Heyman said that with little time left before the referendum, there are still more questions than answers about how it will work. It’s also unclear how the Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement tax, which the B.C. Liberals imposed over the mayors’ more clear sales tax proposal, will be implemented. Key questions include:

• Will there be special exemptions under the regional sales tax? If so, how and to what will they apply?
• Will people living on a low income receive rebates on the tax as they currently do on the Provincial Sales Tax?
• With ballots being distributed by mail, what arrangements will be made for people without a fixed address, who are generally the most dependent on transit, and for those who have changed addresses, to be able to register and vote?

“Everyone in the Lower Mainland should know what this referendum really means before they are asked to vote. Not only how much they would pay in tax, and if the tax will be equitably applied, but how much we all will pay in losses to our economy if transit, road and bridge improvements in Metro are voted down and our transportation systems stagnate,” said Heyman.

“With just over a month before information about the referendum is due to be mailed to Vancouver households, there is little time to settle these important issues. That’s why the B.C. Liberals need to answer the many questions around this referendum, and commit to actively campaigning for Yes this spring.”