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More carbon tax, more transit revenues

Our region’s public transit needs are too complex and important to decide by referendum.

Re: “Referendum on new TransLink taxes has fans, foes,” The Leader.

Our region’s public transit needs are too complex and important to decide by referendum.

Mayor Dianne Watts is right when she predicts the downside of a regional referendum: Municipalities  that already have decent transit services, like Vancouver or Burnaby, won’t want to pay for Surrey’s transit improvements like a light rail network.

Surrey is at a disadvantage since most transit infrastructure has been built north of the Fraser. Already one of our fastest-growing cities, Surrey risks becoming even more gridlocked.

But there’s a solution. The province can strengthen the carbon pollution tax by increasing and directing it to fund the transit stalemate. Close the loophole that gives industrial polluters a free pass to pollute, and increase the tax at the same rate it has been increasing since 2008.

That’s how you generate up to $1 billion a year in new revenue for transit and other pressing environmental needs. Surrey and all municipalities will benefit from cleaner air, less traffic and jobs that matter.

Mayor Watts is right when she says that Surrey can’t afford any more delays and that decisive leadership is needed.

 

Ian Bruce, Science and Policy Manager

David Suzuki Foundation