Referendum: Editorial Excerpts

Related post from them: http://www.taxpayer.com/commentaries/bc–translink-apologists-seek-seattle-hail-mary

I agree that better plans to fund transit exist: lower expenses (especially overpaid civil servants and outsource more), raise property taxes (especially for non-residents), raise land transfer taxes (especially for non-residents) and raise parking fees / resident parking permit fees.

Immigration to MetroVancouver is costing existing home owners dearly in terms of congestion, education and healthcare. Many immigrants do not work here and do not pay any, or not nearly enough, income taxes. Property taxes are too low to pay for all this required healthcare, education or transportation services. As such, raise property taxes 10%/year for 10 years and land transfer taxes by 1% per $1M all the way to 15% (over $15M) immediately, and rebate the majority of the increase to local income tax paying residents on their annual income tax return. Immigration and buying property in Vancouver by non-residents or new immigrants is far too cheap and needs to be monetized far more for locals’ benefits. We have a homeless, education, healthcare & congestion problem because the houses and condos in Point Grey, W-Van, UEL, Burnaby or Richmond aren’t taxed enough, especially those owned by non-residents or non-income tax payers ! [Disclosure: I am an immigrant, too]

Also, if we wish less car use we have to make it more expensive. Both states: driving and parking. I acknowledge the fact that MetroVan mayors wish to toll driving and I 100% agree with that. But they can’t do it without the province’ approval. However they can tax the other state of car use: parking. Parking fees incl. resident parking permits across MetroVan ought to be increased sharply. Often it is entirely free to park your car on a road you do not own. Why is that? Perhaps any single family house comes with one free parking permit on the road, then the next is $100/month, and the next $250/month.

Finally, every service provided by the cities need to be optimized and many functions outsourced to save 20-50%. Pubic sector unions have sucked the city coffers dry with their excessive wage and benefits for so long that not enough money is left over for investments such as necessary transit improvements. Far too many jobs are done by unionized city workers that can and should be done cheaper and better with private contractors. The residential community on UBC land, the UNA, actually shows great leadership here with their landscaping services and non-unionized admin staff. Those same services in Burnaby or Richmond are 30-50% higher due to unionization. Much room for savings across the bloated MetroVan provided in-house services. A major salary and benefit review is in order BEFORE any more taxes are requested from citizens.

I conclude: No sales tax increase is necessary until Plan B is fully implemented. Much room there: $40M to $60M in civil servants salary and benefits savings across MetroVan would allow $2B to $3B borrowed at 2% interest rate. Plus another $40-60M a year in raised property taxes, parking permits, parking fees and land transfer taxes. With that the required $4-6B could be borrowed and the 2%/year interest paid for (and the rest is federal and provincial grants) !

MetroVan mayors unfortunately have passed the buck and chosen the easy way out and not shown the necessary backbone to make the tough choices. Look into your own tool kit first !