The upcoming transportation referendum might be good for the region, but it's a hard sell in Delta, says MLA Vicki Huntington.
The much talked about Metro Vancouver congestion improvement tax will be put to voters in a mail-in referendum this spring. A simple majority is all that's needed for a 0.5 per cent hike to the provincial sales tax, money that will go to TransLink to fund an expensive wish list of regional transit improvement projects, including big ticket items for Vancouver and Surrey, but little for South Delta.
Huntington, the two-term independent MLA for Delta South, said it might be tough to convince voters here to say yes when service cuts are far outweighing any of the promised improvements.
"Yes, we know transit is a vital service. We know Canada Line and SkyTrain are efficient people movers. We know LRT through Surrey is needed. And we know more bus service in the region is essential and that a line down Broadway is important. But it's the other side of the TransLink coin that troubles us," she said. "It isn't accountable. It sucks up money. It's poorly managed. And the 10-year plan isn't fair to Delta."
Noting TransLink deliberately cut service in Delta to increase ridership on the Canada Line in Richmond, while cuts to HandyDart services have isolated Delta's elderly, Huntington said the recent loss of the direct 404 service to Richmond will be front of mind for South Deltans who take the bus.
"The promise that our facilities will be upgraded is an afterthought," she said. "(It's) a few crumbs to help sell the vision.
"While good leadership suggests I urge support for the referendum, I find myself struggling with the reality that all TransLink wants from Delta is our money. It isn't much of an incentive to ask you to vote 'yes' in the referendum."
The Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation voted late last year in favour of the referendum, which got the go-ahead from the province.
The proposed tax increase would generate an estimated $250 million in annual revenue.
Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner are spearheading the yes campaign, both having recently wrested control of the regional mayors' council, with Robertson becoming chair and Hepner vice chair. Robertson said a yes vote is important to the entire region.
Delta Mayor Lois Jackson, who ran for the vice-chair position, said it's difficult to say whether having the two mayors who stand to gain the most driving the yes campaign bus will anger voters. Previously having mayors from the smaller communities at the helm did show an effort for equity, she said.
"Obviously, you put Vancouver's votes together and Surrey's votes together, and they outnumber the entire rest of the board," said Jackson. "I really hope these two mayors have time to devote to this and not just work until the referendum and that's the end of it. I really hope they will be listening to communities like Maple Ridge and Delta and Langley City to ensure they get the things they need."
The Corporation of Delta hasn't yet taken a formal position on the referendum, choosing to first inform residents and gather feedback. The vote will be conducted by Elections B.C. Ballots will be sent out March 16 and must be returned by May 29.
