VICTORIA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) announced today that it has joined the "Park the Tax Coalition." "Late last year, the provincial government granted TransLink, the Vancouver regional transportation board, the power to levy a new tax on parking stalls, lots and driveways. Without consulting taxpayers or businesses that were hit with the bills, the unelected and unaccountable TransLink quickly seized its new taxing powers and sent out bills to businesses last month," said Sara MacIntyre, BC director.

The "Park the Tax Coalition" has representatives from big and small business all across the Lower Mainland. The coalition was formerly launched today in Vancouver and will be increasing its pressure on TransLink and the provincial government to scrap the tax.

"Business and consumers alike will feel the pain of this new tax. Although it is businesses that are sent the bills, everyone will pay the price. Some small business owners are being forced to increase the price of their products, or reduce re-investment in their business and some are closing their doors. In the end we all pay for TransLink's contempt for taxpayers and their need to feed its growing largesse," MacIntyre noted.

TransLink purported that it needed the additional revenue for its capital plan. But the regional transportation already receives $235.3 million in property tax revenue, $16.8 million in hydro levies, $257.5 million in fuel tax revenue as well as $302.8 million in transit fares. Enough is enough!

"The newly appointed TransLink board should re-evaluate its capital needs, revenues and scrap the parking tax. Otherwise, the reality is clear for residents of the Greater Vancouver Regional District: higher priced goods, fewer jobs, lower wages and a shrinking tax base," concluded MacIntyre.