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The euphoria and scrambling over money for rapid transit, bridges, water treatment in the Lower Mainland

March 24th, 2016 · 4 Comments

An exciting week for local government types, as they waited for the announcement on the details in the federal budget about what on their wish list would be getting deliveries from the money pipeline.

What I’m finding interesting about it, as a few days have gone by since budget day, is how much is still being hashed out and explained about what projects exactly will get the money, which parts of projects are eligible (design and planning for transit never used to be eligible for federal funds, now they are), and all kinds of other wiggly things.

My guess is there is a lot going on between the federal people and the provincial people to get them to come on board with certain projects in exchange for guarantees of money on others. At the moment, the city people and the feds are working together. It was clear when I was talking to mayors and councillors that they feel like they have a direct pipeline and are no longer left guessing and begging. It’s the province that seems to be the recalcitrant, left-out one.

Stories here and here from day before and day of budget.

Categories: Uncategorized

  • maya

    I’m curious to hear how Vancouver will get around the Province’s promise to only cover 1/3 and require a referendum for new funding sources for the Broadway transit line. 17% is still a lot for the city to cover, especially since a lot of the ridership will come from outside Vancouver. Any thoughts?

  • Look Deeper

    Maya – Part of the answer is the the City should start saving its capital budget for this project. As a citizen of Vancouver, I believe if we want such a system, we should be prepared to pay for it. It is time that Robertson put his money where he says his priorities are rather than moaning that someone else should pay. It is time our tax dollars were used more prudently.

  • maya

    I don’t think we’ll get anywhere with the “use our tax dollars more prudently” argument. I am a Van resident too. The Broadway line is desperately needed but why should city residents pay for it through our property taxes when ridership studies show it’s the residents of Burnaby, Surrey and Coquitlam are using transit here too?

  • A Taxpayer

    Because it is the Mayor of Vancouver that is pushing the Broadway line, not Burnaby, Surrey or Coquitlam.

    This leads to the only sensible solution for Metro Vancouver – the political amalgamation of the region which would permit proper planning for common services and future growth. Not likely to ever happen though.