Vancouver’s three civic political parties all say they’re prepared to back a Yes vote in the transit plebiscite coming this March – a surprise for some who weren’t sure where city council’s non-governing parties would land.
But Councillor George Affleck, with the minority Non-Partisan Association, is kicking off the tripartisan agreement with a motion set for council’s first meeting, urging everyone to support a resolution that calls on the mayor to establish a broad coalition to work on a Yes vote. The motion also directs staff to urgently report back on ways to make the vote, being held March 16 to May 29 by mail, a success.
The plebiscite will be asking Lower Mainland residents whether they agree to a special half-per-cent sales tax, the proceeds of which will be used exclusively to fund a set of projects agreed to by regional mayors. Those include a subway in Vancouver along Broadway that would extend the current Millennium Line from Clark Drive to Arbutus Street, a network of light-rail lines in Surrey, a new Pattullo Bridge, a third SeaBus for North Vancouver and 11 new rapid-bus lines in suburban areas.
Read the complete article at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/vancouver-parties-agree-on-march-transit-vote/article22272850/.
