While the 0.5% increase may be the most fair of a group of poor choices, our family will be voting NO as we pay enough taxes right now. Once again, Translink looks to the individual tax payer to foot the bill for their grandiose transportation plan and the Mayors' council is not much better.
Has anyone noticed how John Winter (Vancouver Chamber of Commerce) says it is essential for business to survive BUT there is no suggestion that businesses should pick up part of the costs just like they expected the voter to support the HST while they derive the benefit - like NOT!
The transportation plan is half-baked and won't solve the gridlock. They propose replacing the 4-lane Patullo Bridge with a new 4-lane bridge. Brilliant! What you end up with is a new bridge with the same capacity and volume as it has now except the lanes are a little wider AND TOLLS.
Of course Mayor Moonbeam dreams about a subway to UBC which, strangely enough, will end at Arbutus Street. Of course, the subway will not be a "cut and cover" but then, that's what Translink said about the Canada line, didn't they. The lesson learned? Translink cannot be trusted.
So.....we are to support a 0.5% increase in the sales tax. And Translink and the Mayor's council expect those who live in Surrey, Langley and points East will vote "Yes" to take more dollars out of their pockets in the form of the sales tax increase PLUS new tolls on the bridges if they have to drive to work. This has to be an IQ test in disguise!
A few suggestions for funding for some of these scatter-brain proposals:
- pressure the Federal Government for major funding if the benefits to business are so important;
- pressure John Winter and the Chambers to encourage their members to pay a "business transportation tax";
- pressure the Provincial Liberals to use their excellent credit rating to obtain low-interest loans
- pressure the Province to implement legislation allowing Translink to issue bonds to raise funds for their project much the same as WAC Bennett did in the mid 70's which gave BC Hydro the funding to construct their dams.
- Increase Property Purchase Tax to a flat 10% for purchasers who can't provide proof of Canadian citizenship. If off-shore millionaires want to park their money in Lower Mainland real estate, let them pay for that privilege. The funds collected can go to Translink.
- let each municipality set a 10-15% surcharge on property tax for off-shore owners for additional funds.
What not to do is ask the taxpayer to provide the funding for Translink. We pay enough taxes already. Consider living within your budget. We have to.
As far as the one-million coming here.....I don't recall any politician asking my opinion about that, does anyone else? And, if they are coming, are we going to be expected to pay additional taxes to construct new schools and funding for ESL classes; for new hospitals; for the many services that we are told new immigrants should have access to? Not from my pocket.
Vote NO! And, as the Mayors' council have said, they will come back to us at the time of the next civic election. That's fine with us. BUT, this time, tell us your proposals BEFORE the election, not after, so we can vote accordingly. Proposing the question AFTER the election may be a smart move politically but is VERY COWARDLY!
No - 9 years ago
1) translink can develop more its property to increase its income, e.g each station become business zone
Dave H. - 9 years ago
Cal, the subway to UBC doesn't even run to UBC. It will only go as far as Arbutus. I can't approve until they commit to build it to its final destination from the onset. Translink salaries are outrageously high. They have to give a little as well. Cut the board in size, or take a substantial pay cut. The referendum is worded like a threat- approve the tax or get a higher vehicle or property tax increase. Despite the sales tax increase, we still get dinged- our cars will become taxis, charging us per kilometre, "The mayors’ council also hopes to bring in some form of mobility pricing, such as tolls or charging drivers per distance travelled, in the next four to five years.". These people have messed up so badly by shutting down the streetcar system, putting in a SkyTrain (toy) system, not increasing West Coast Express to include new destinations such as Chilliwack and Abottsford, etc. now WE are somehow responsible? The uber-rich that are buying the condos downtown will not be using the SkyTrain. Do you really think a Saudi Prince would be caught dead on transit? No. They will drive. All the offshore owners with vacant condos, who do not shop here, or play any role in our communities will pay nothing. So, once again we pay for the rich. Gregor and Vision are not so lefty after all, are they? I would be all over a vacant condo tax that pays for transit, but that might hurt the developers that contribute so much... To Vision and Gregor Robertson's re-election campaign. #vanpoli #youvotedforthis
win - 9 years ago
1. Already paying carbon tax
2. Already had transit fee raised.
3. Already increased property tax
4. Already have increase population density that paying more tax.
5. We don't need the excuse of transit making property more valuable. It's already unaffordable.
How much more difficult is the government trying to make us live in this city?
I really don't understand where all the tax dollars went. There should be savings. Not deficit.
Why is transit taxing citizens. I thought they are private organization.
It's not cheaper riding transit.
Family of 5 is $600 per month to buy 2 zone tix. And skytrain keeps on breaking and is always crowded.
Driving a car is some times cheaper and more efficient.
Lar Gill - 9 years ago
Anything to do with TransLink worries me. The people must have faith in its bureaucracy.
Matt Foulger - 9 years ago
Voting yes in this referendum is a no-brainer. It's absolutely critical to invest in transit and transportation. If we screw this up we will all be paying through the nose for our mistake for decades.
Ken N - 9 years ago
If they bring in ANOTHER TAX we will move out of the area.
Mark V - 9 years ago
Hit the nail on the head with growth in Surrey and Langley
How about a regional "No Vacancy" sign?
Cal Sanderson - 9 years ago
This is bullshit. If this passes, I will be purchasing any major items in the Fraser Valley and out of the greedy reach of the GVRD and Mayor Moonbeam and his quest to have a Subway system to service UBC. Jack the tuition of the rich offshore students that are bumping our own kids from attending this institution. I emphatically vote NO and encourage all of my friends to vote the same way. Enough is enough. Mayor Watts of Surrey should answer to some of this with her uncontrolled growth without the infrastructure to support it. The same can be said for the two Langleys.
While the 0.5% increase may be the most fair of a group of poor choices, our family will be voting NO as we pay enough taxes right now. Once again, Translink looks to the individual tax payer to foot the bill for their grandiose transportation plan and the Mayors' council is not much better.
Has anyone noticed how John Winter (Vancouver Chamber of Commerce) says it is essential for business to survive BUT there is no suggestion that businesses should pick up part of the costs just like they expected the voter to support the HST while they derive the benefit - like NOT!
The transportation plan is half-baked and won't solve the gridlock. They propose replacing the 4-lane Patullo Bridge with a new 4-lane bridge. Brilliant! What you end up with is a new bridge with the same capacity and volume as it has now except the lanes are a little wider AND TOLLS.
Of course Mayor Moonbeam dreams about a subway to UBC which, strangely enough, will end at Arbutus Street. Of course, the subway will not be a "cut and cover" but then, that's what Translink said about the Canada line, didn't they. The lesson learned? Translink cannot be trusted.
So.....we are to support a 0.5% increase in the sales tax. And Translink and the Mayor's council expect those who live in Surrey, Langley and points East will vote "Yes" to take more dollars out of their pockets in the form of the sales tax increase PLUS new tolls on the bridges if they have to drive to work. This has to be an IQ test in disguise!
A few suggestions for funding for some of these scatter-brain proposals:
- pressure the Federal Government for major funding if the benefits to business are so important;
- pressure John Winter and the Chambers to encourage their members to pay a "business transportation tax";
- pressure the Provincial Liberals to use their excellent credit rating to obtain low-interest loans
- pressure the Province to implement legislation allowing Translink to issue bonds to raise funds for their project much the same as WAC Bennett did in the mid 70's which gave BC Hydro the funding to construct their dams.
- Increase Property Purchase Tax to a flat 10% for purchasers who can't provide proof of Canadian citizenship. If off-shore millionaires want to park their money in Lower Mainland real estate, let them pay for that privilege. The funds collected can go to Translink.
- let each municipality set a 10-15% surcharge on property tax for off-shore owners for additional funds.
What not to do is ask the taxpayer to provide the funding for Translink. We pay enough taxes already. Consider living within your budget. We have to.
As far as the one-million coming here.....I don't recall any politician asking my opinion about that, does anyone else? And, if they are coming, are we going to be expected to pay additional taxes to construct new schools and funding for ESL classes; for new hospitals; for the many services that we are told new immigrants should have access to? Not from my pocket.
Vote NO! And, as the Mayors' council have said, they will come back to us at the time of the next civic election. That's fine with us. BUT, this time, tell us your proposals BEFORE the election, not after, so we can vote accordingly. Proposing the question AFTER the election may be a smart move politically but is VERY COWARDLY!
1) translink can develop more its property to increase its income, e.g each station become business zone
Cal, the subway to UBC doesn't even run to UBC. It will only go as far as Arbutus. I can't approve until they commit to build it to its final destination from the onset. Translink salaries are outrageously high. They have to give a little as well. Cut the board in size, or take a substantial pay cut. The referendum is worded like a threat- approve the tax or get a higher vehicle or property tax increase. Despite the sales tax increase, we still get dinged- our cars will become taxis, charging us per kilometre, "The mayors’ council also hopes to bring in some form of mobility pricing, such as tolls or charging drivers per distance travelled, in the next four to five years.". These people have messed up so badly by shutting down the streetcar system, putting in a SkyTrain (toy) system, not increasing West Coast Express to include new destinations such as Chilliwack and Abottsford, etc. now WE are somehow responsible? The uber-rich that are buying the condos downtown will not be using the SkyTrain. Do you really think a Saudi Prince would be caught dead on transit? No. They will drive. All the offshore owners with vacant condos, who do not shop here, or play any role in our communities will pay nothing. So, once again we pay for the rich. Gregor and Vision are not so lefty after all, are they? I would be all over a vacant condo tax that pays for transit, but that might hurt the developers that contribute so much... To Vision and Gregor Robertson's re-election campaign. #vanpoli #youvotedforthis
1. Already paying carbon tax
2. Already had transit fee raised.
3. Already increased property tax
4. Already have increase population density that paying more tax.
5. We don't need the excuse of transit making property more valuable. It's already unaffordable.
How much more difficult is the government trying to make us live in this city?
I really don't understand where all the tax dollars went. There should be savings. Not deficit.
Why is transit taxing citizens. I thought they are private organization.
It's not cheaper riding transit.
Family of 5 is $600 per month to buy 2 zone tix. And skytrain keeps on breaking and is always crowded.
Driving a car is some times cheaper and more efficient.
Anything to do with TransLink worries me. The people must have faith in its bureaucracy.
Voting yes in this referendum is a no-brainer. It's absolutely critical to invest in transit and transportation. If we screw this up we will all be paying through the nose for our mistake for decades.
If they bring in ANOTHER TAX we will move out of the area.
Hit the nail on the head with growth in Surrey and Langley
How about a regional "No Vacancy" sign?
This is bullshit. If this passes, I will be purchasing any major items in the Fraser Valley and out of the greedy reach of the GVRD and Mayor Moonbeam and his quest to have a Subway system to service UBC. Jack the tuition of the rich offshore students that are bumping our own kids from attending this institution. I emphatically vote NO and encourage all of my friends to vote the same way. Enough is enough. Mayor Watts of Surrey should answer to some of this with her uncontrolled growth without the infrastructure to support it. The same can be said for the two Langleys.