RIDING: PORT MOODY-WESTWOOD-PORT COQUITLAM
MARK IRELAND, NDP
Canada needs a national transit strategy. Without this, we end up with the current situation where different levels of government have no framework for developing transit infrastructure and nothing happens. They say that "Failing to plan, is planning to fail" and that's what is happening right now. The NDP will create a national transit plan, and not leave key municipal requirements to the whim of a politician's pet project!
KEVIN KIM,GREEN PARTY
Transit is a major issue in the Tri-Cities. The Evergreen Line is known as the "Nevergreen Line" because of continuous delay and lack of funding. Public transit has always been frustrating for people commuting to their workplace because of inflexible schedules and cost. The frustration of this issue should be addressed more from other means than taxation.
STEWART MCGILLIVRAY, LIBERAL
Federal funds have already been dedicated towards the Evergreen Line through the Public Transit Capital Trust and the Build Canada Fund; it is now only a matter of consistently lobbying other levels of government to see this project to completion. The Evergreen Line is an excellent investment in the Tri-Cities and their people, and I would fight for further support for rapid transit in the region. The Liberal platform hascommittedto developing a Canadian transportation and infrastructure strategy, which would feature a firm support for local and regional rapid transit throughout Canada.
JAMES MOORE, CONSERVATIVE
Our government has delivered $416.7 million for the Evergreen SkyTrain extension to our community. We have delivered every penny that has been asked of us, every penny that is called for in the business plan for the Evergreen Line, and we lead the way to make Evergreen happen. What is still missing is funding from TransLink. The federal and provincial governments have delivered. It is past time that TransLink step forward and deliver for the Tri-Cities. And it is outrageous that there are any discussions about a line to UBC before the work is done here in our community.
RIDING: NEW WESTMINSTER-COQUITLAM
DIANA DILWORTH, CONSERVATIVE
The Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper has already been working hard on this file. The Conservative party recognizes the importance of a working rapid transit system. As a Port Moody resident, I, too, know how crucial such an initiative is to our community and I have been advocating for this, as a councillor in Port Moody, since 1999. This is why the federal government has already met its obligation to fund the new Evergreen Line, something I hope to see working soon. If sent to Ottawa, I will ensure that it continues to be on the radar of every level of government. My first priority is my community.
FIN DONNELLY, NDP
I have raised this issue in Parliament and in the community, as well as writing to the premier, calling on the federal and provincial governments to step forward and commit additional funding to close the $574-million funding gap and finally build the Evergreen Line. I seconded legislation to create a national transit strategy so that major transit priorities, like the Evergreen Line, are not continually passed over.
REBECCA HELPS, GREEN PARTY
There is so much that can be done to make rapid transit a reality. First, we need to recognize we cannot build roads to solve the congestion problems. By accepting that fact, we can focus on doubling existing funding to stimulate a massive re-investment in public transportation infrastructure in all Canadian cities to make it convenient, safe, comfortable and affordable. Make employer-provided transit passes tax-free by exempting them from taxable benefit status to encourage workers and businesses to use public transport, and provide financial support to provinces that provide free public transit passes to people living below the poverty line.
KEN BECK LEE, LIBERAL
The previous Liberal government has committed $400 million to the next phase of rapid transit, the Evergreen Line, which the Tri-Cities has been waiting for, for over 20 years. However the local regional authority has not yet taken advantage of that to provide their share of the program because their base funding is not adequate. Federal leadership is needed to provide local authorities with additional funding tools to enable that to occur. If elected, I will be the catalyst to bring together the federal, provincial and local authorities to make the Evergreen Line a reality and to provide stable ongoing funding to expand the system further.
