VICTORIA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released the following statement in support of today's "Park the Tax" Rally held at the Langley Civic Centre at 9:00am:

"TransLink has gone too far, too often, for much too long. This parking tax is the final straw that has broken the camel's back. Once again, TransLink, along with the provincial government, is trying to squeeze more revenues from the over-taxed.

Taxing bicycle racks, elevators, green spaces and of course parking sites will not only hit businesses, big and small, but will impact everyone in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. The cost of products and services will increase, businesses will no longer be able to afford to expand their workforce or increase wages.

This tax will hurt consumers and businesses alike.

TransLink has a spending problem not a revenue problem. Budgets are massively increasing and accountability is non-existent. Capital plans are overly ambitious and unfunded. TransLink is unaccountable, unelected and out of control.

The provincial government should be commended for conducting a governance review of TransLink. But the Canadian Taxpayers Federations is asking for more. We urge the Minister of Transportation, Kevin Falcon, to answer the calls for his government to put a stop to the parking tax immediately and revoke TransLink's authority to levy parking taxes.
Lest we forget, that it was this government that promised a referendum before any new TransLink taxes. Scrap this tax!

The Taxpayers Federation would like to acknowledge its support for two TransLink members, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan, for tabling the motion to set aside the parking tax until the governance review is completed. It is incumbent that other TransLink members hear and see the opposition to this tax and support this motion.

The CTF is thankful to the Park the Tax Coalition, in particular Ted Williams and Laura Jones, for their continued vigilance in fighting this tax at every possible level and at every single opportunity.

Let's scrap this tax!"