Liberals to introduce law for Vancouver-area transit referendum

VICTORIA – B.C.’s transportation minister says he’s preparing to introduce legislation to pave the way for a Vancouver-area transit referendum, which the provincial government plans to hold alongside municipal elections in November.

Todd Stone says the legislation, which is due in the coming months, will include a region-wide question that local municipalities cannot change, but the government will pay the costs of including the question on municipal election ballots.

Stone says local municipal leaders from Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby and the more than 15 other communities must show leadership and reach a consensus on a unified transit vision for the greater Vancouver area.

Earlier this week, the region’s mayors said they were united in opposing Premier Christy Clark’s plans for a fall transit-funding referendum.

A transit referendum was one of Clark’s key promises during last May’s British Columbia election campaign.

Stone says Lower Mainland residents are counting on leadership from their local mayors and councils to bring forward a united transit vision.