British Columbia Federation of Labour

The provincial review of TransLink announced today will show the Campbell government's two-year old model of governance and funding has been a complete failure.

The review comes as TransLink prepares its 10-year financial plan that was going to call for new sources of revenue and increased operating funding from the provincial government. The increased funding would provide new and improved transit service, transportation infrastructure, and reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

"The Campbell government couldn't work with the TransLink Board when it was made up of democratically-elected mayors and now it can't work with the hand-picked business people Campbell put on the Board," says B.C. Federation of Labour President, Jim Sinclair.

When the TransLink governance structure was changed two years ago the provincial government also stepped away from its historic responsibility to provide operating funding for transit in the region.

"We predicted the governance model would fail. We predicted that the operating funding model was inadequate to run a modern transportation system. We were right on both counts," Sinclair added.

"At the same time, the TransLink Board of Directors and Senior Management prepare their 10-financial plan, the Campbell government suddenly announces a thorough review of TransLink," says Sinclair. "It seems clear the Campbell government has absolutely no intention of once again assuming its responsibility to properly fund transit in Metro Vancouver."

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For more information: Evan Stewart, Director of Communications (604) 430-1421.