EN FR

BC: Mayors Want More Tax Money for TransLink

Author: Jordan Bateman 2012/09/12

Two of B.C.’s least popular government spending projects are suddenly colliding: Lower Mainland mayors like Gregor Robertson and Dianne Watts want to use an increased carbon tax to pay for TransLink.

First, no one should be talking about another nickel for TransLink until the provincial review comes back later this fall. How do you know what kind of funding gap you’re trying to fill when you don’t have a clue of what kind of inefficiencies have developed within an organization? TransLink’s true shortfall could be 0, $30 million, or $300 million. Who knows? Better to wait and get as full a picture as possible.

When Transit Commissioner Martin Crilly looked for efficiencies, he found $71 million in short term savings and another $66 million in ongoing savings—without breaking a sweat, or digging into every part of the organization.

TransLink spends $1.3 billion a year. Why the rush to give them more money when evidence shows they haven’t managed that sum effectively?

Second, don’t let the mayors sugar coat it: using carbon tax revenue for TransLink is a tax hike, plain and simple. They want the carbon tax to increase, with revenues generated going to transit, not to the tax credits which make it revenue neutral. That means government taking more money out of your pockets—a tax increase.

For more on this faulty line of thinking, click here.


A Note for our Readers:

Is Canada Off Track?

Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.

Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?

You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey

Join now to get the Taxpayer newsletter

Franco Terrazzano
Federal Director at
Canadian Taxpayers
Federation

Join now to get the Taxpayer newsletter

Hey, it’s Franco.

Did you know that you can get the inside scoop right from my notebook each week? I’ll share hilarious and infuriating stories the media usually misses with you every week so you can hold politicians accountable.

You can sign up for the Taxpayer Update Newsletter now

Looks good!
Please enter a valid email address

We take data security and privacy seriously. Your information will be kept safe.

<