Vancouver-area transit referendum could happen in 2015 if mayors have plan

VANCOUVER – B.C.’s transportation minister says a referendum related to the Vancouver region’s transit system could be held in June 2015 instead of during municipal elections in November.

But Todd Stone says the change will happen only if regional mayors come up with a funding plan for an expanded system and present it by the end of this June.

Premier Christy Clark used last year’s election campaign to promise a referendum on how to fund transit in the region, and Stone had previously said it would be tied to this year’s municipal elections.

The mayors, who represent Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby and 15 other municipalities, have complained they have no say in a transit system that’s operated by an unelected and unaccountable board.

Todd has now changed the governance structure of TransLink so mayors are responsible for policy decisions including fares, the complaint process and tax adjustments to pay for the system.

Todd says he will meet with mayors on Feb. 14 to discuss the changes and introduce legislation on the new structure that could become law in about three months.