Tag: Politics

Driving, Politics, Transportation, Vancouver

BC Election – Neither Liberals or NDP understand tolls

It’s been a long time since my last post, but recent transportation news is too big to ignore. Both the major political parties have announced their stances on tolls.

On the same day the Liberals announced they would cap tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears Bridges at $500 a year starting Jan. 1, 2018 — a move that could cut a motorist’s driving costs by up to $1,000 a year — NDP leader John Horgan stole the Liberals’ thunder by promising to get rid of tolls for both bridges altogether if elected.

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Canada, Cities, Politics, Transit, Transportation, Vancouver

The transit referendum. Coming 2015 to your mailbox.

a black MKII SkyTrain at Nanaimo Station

Oh has my social media ever lit up with transit referendum news. Here’s the upcoming referendum question coming to your mailbox in 2015.

Do you support a one half percentage point (0.5%) increase to the Provincial Sales Tax in Metro Vancouver, dedicated to the Mayors’ Transportation and Transit Plan, with independent audits and public reporting?

  • Yes
  • No

And here are the projects slated to be covered by the 0.5% regional sales tax increase:

The transportation referendum will give Metro Vancouver residents the opportunity to vote on a potential funding source(s) for proposed new transportation investments to manage congestion, support 1 million more people living here and keep everyone moving, including:

  • better service on existing SkyTrain and bus routes
  • new LRT and SkyTrain lines in Surrey and Vancouver
  • new rapid bus routes throughout the region
  • replacement of the Pattullo Bridge
  • more frequent SeaBus and West Coast Express, and
  • safer pedestrian and cycling routes

More details about the projects are on Mayor’s Council website.

Continue reading “The transit referendum. Coming 2015 to your mailbox.”

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Canada, Politics, Vancouver

Vancouver Civic Elections – November 15, 2014

Here’s a break from my currently scheduled travel blogging. I just wanted to put my two cents out there regarding tomorrow’s civic elections for the City of Vancouver. The whole province is undergoing civic elections in each city, township, district, and village, but I’m going to talk about Vancouver since that’s where I live.

Civic elections are the most personal election because it affects my daily life in the city from parking to parks and from public spaces to property taxes. Most people unwisely skip out on civic elections because they don’t think they are as important as provincial or federal elections. Simply not true. Civic elections have the biggest effect on how your city/town feels.

When I watch these elections, my big issue is always transportation. Those who’ve read my non-travel posts know that I’m a total transit nut. So naturally, my vote goes to where I feel transportation policies are best. I’m only going to talk about the 3 main parties in the running for mayor and city council.

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Politics, Vancouver

Attention BC – today is voting day!

Today is November 19th, 2011.  It’s voting day in all municipalities across the province.  Vote for the mayors, councillors, and trustess that you feel will make a difference in your community.  There’s no level of government closer to our daily lives that our municipal governments.  Get out and vote BC!  Polls are open 8am to 8pm. Continue reading Attention BC – today is voting day!

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Politics, Vancouver

One more list of endorsements

Spacing Vancouver has also just posted a recommendation list for their top 10 councillor choices and an alternate 5. It picks from across the board with NPA, Vision, Green, and Independent choices. It’s an impressive list. Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver did not make the top 10, but there’s one NSV candidate on the alternate 5 list. I think Spacing Vancouver has recommended a very … Continue reading One more list of endorsements

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Politics, Vancouver

Vancouver Civic Election 2011 Endorsements from around the web

Well, the big city election is just around the corner.  If you’re like me, then you’ve had a steady stream of phone calls from the big two parties, Vision Vancouver and the NPA, asking us to vote for them or attend their telephone town halls.  (Boy, are these parties rolling in a little too much cash.) I’ve been ignoring the phone calls and erasing their … Continue reading Vancouver Civic Election 2011 Endorsements from around the web

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Politics, Vancouver

Personal take on NPA Vancouver ads

Has anyone else heard the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) ads on the radio?  Here’s my take on some of their stances in the ads. 1.  Vancouver budget has jumped $135 million. I have no trouble believing this to be true.  In the larger scheme of things, what percentage of the entire Vancouver budget is $135 million.  Plus, it’s since 2008.  So over 3 years, the budget … Continue reading Personal take on NPA Vancouver ads

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Canada, Politics, Vancouver

What Can Local Politicians Really Change?

I think this is a question that a lot of people ask themselves, but usually in a rhetorical fashion.  A lot of people believe that local politicians can’t do anything.  This results in large voter apathy for municipal elections.  As many as half the people in the city don’t know a civic election is happening this month.  You would think the lawn signs have tipped … Continue reading What Can Local Politicians Really Change?

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Politics

Greens Nominate Stephen Rees as Candidate for Provincial Election in Richmond East « Stephen Rees’s blog

Well, it looks like Stephen Rees has thrown his hat in the ring of BC Politics.  I did say once to him in a comment that he seemed to be the only voice of opposition that I regularly encountered in the media.  The NDP just never seemed to have much to say.  (Either that or the media just never covered it). I would likely vote … Continue reading Greens Nominate Stephen Rees as Candidate for Provincial Election in Richmond East « Stephen Rees’s blog

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