Referendum: MLA Response – Jordan Sturdy

Price Tags is asking every MLA in Metro Vancouver questions about the referendum.

Jordan Sturdy, Liberal MLA for West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky:

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How will you advise your constituents to vote on the Transportation & Transit Referendum?

I will be encouraging the constituents of West Vancouver Sea to Sky that are within the Translink catchment area to support the Mayors’ Council Transportation and Transit Plan and Vote Yes on the Metro Vancouver Transportation and Transit referendum.

What is the priority in the Mayors package (if any) for your riding?

The 50% increase in Sea Bus services, new B Line routes, extended bus hours and 30% more handy dart services are all initiatives worth supporting.  In conjunction with Provincial investments, road infrastructure upgrades on the north shore will ensure that people and goods can move more freely.  I am also very supportive of funds being allocated to the completion of the Spirit Trail, a multi use path from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove.

How do you plan to participate in the referendum campaign?

I will be speaking in favour of a yes vote.

Any other comments?

The 0.5% Metro Congestion Improvement Tax (MCIT) seems a funding mechanism that is the most fair in that everyone pays, just as everyone benefits, both residents, businesses as well as visitors,.  This is especially important for areas with higher property values, for if one of the funding alternatives was to be property taxes, West Vancouver would be disproportionately impacted. As I live in Pemberton, yet am in Vancouver frequently I too will be contributing to funding the system.

Transportation investments, be they road, marine or transit are important to all parts of the riding.  Outside of the Translink catchment of the riding,  (West Vancouver, Bowen Island and Lions Bay)  throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor, there is a growing interest in a regional transit system to connect Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish with each other and ultimately, Vancouver.