OPINION 10
FRIDAY
January 9 2015
Garr on Taxpayers Federation
Vol. 106 No. 02
PACIFIC SPIRIT 12
Call of the wild THEATRE 19
Falling for Beckett There’s more online at
vancourier.com WEEKEND EDITION
THE VOICE of VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOODS since 1908
Province backs transit plan Transportation minister supports plebiscite’s yes side
Mike Howell
mhowell@vancourier.com
Transportation Minister Todd Stone has given the yes side a boost in the upcoming transportation plebiscite by announcing that the provincial government supports a 0.5 per cent hike to the provincial sales tax to help pay for a $7.5-billion plan that includes a subway along the Broadway corridor. In a written statement provided Tuesday to the Courier, Stone said “We support a yes vote in the spring 2015 plebiscite but the voters of Metro Vancouver will have the final say — this is the
commitment we made to them in the last provincial election campaign.” Stone earlier stated the government would remain neutral and not take sides in the emerging debate about asking Metro Vancouver residents to support a tax hike to help pay for a 10-year transit plan devised by the region’s mayors. “The provincial government believes the mayors’ council has put forward a vision for expanded regional transportation that people can get behind,” he said in his statement. “We agree that a sales-based tax, dedicated to vital congestion improvement projects, is the most equitable funding option available.” The province will pay for the cost of the plebiscite, estimated to be $5 million, but Stone said mayors and various organizations
mobilizing on either side will be responsible for funding their individual campaigns. Stone’s support for the yes lobby comes as NPA Coun. George Affleck will ask fellow councillors at a Jan. 20 council meeting to promote a positive vote in the plebiscite, which begins March 16 via a mail-in ballot. Affleck’s motion asks city staff to suggest initiatives the city could undertake to ensure the success of the plebiscite. Affleck wouldn’t speculate on costs related to such a campaign, saying that will be part of staff’s report back to council. Affleck’s motion is expected to get the support of Mayor Gregor Robertson and his ruling Vision Vancouver council, who are on record in supporting a yes vote. Green Party Coun. Adriane Carr was not available for comment this week.
“We need to fight for what we think is right for the region,” Affleck said. “It’s going to be a tough battle and I think it’s important that Vancouver take a leadership role on this for the yes side. It’s important for the long term prosperity of the city.” Jordan Bateman, spokesman for the No TransLink Tax group that is battling the yes side, said he wished Stone would have stayed neutral in the plebiscite debate. But, Bateman said, he didn’t think Stone’s position would sway undecided voters. “I’m not sure there were many people in the Lower Mainland waiting with baited breath to see which side the transportation minister landed on,” said Bateman, adding that he wouldn’t be surprised if Vancouver council unanimously supports Affleck’s motion. Continued on page 4
Heritage hopes shaky
General Gordon school demolished for new building Cheryl Rossi
crossi@vancourier.com
A wall crumbled into surging dust at General Gordon elementary in Kitsilano Tuesday. The more than century-old school is to be completely flattened as early as Friday to pave the way for a replacement school that could better withstand an earthquake. “There was a large clamour before my time to save the building, and the way that it came down was real evidence of why it was such a seismic hazard,” said Jay Hiscox, project manager in planning and facilities for the Vancouver School Board. “You try to avoid the building pancaking in on itself and that’s how they’re demolishing it. They’re triggering a catastrophic failure.” Continued on page 6
TEAM SPIRIT Co-workers Sadie Henschel (left) and Louise Kelaher will run with a team to complete a 42.2 kilometre marathon in May. For the first year, the BMO Vancouver Marathon will allow relay teams of two, three and four runners. See story on Page 23. PHOTO DAN TOULGOET
DYSLEXIA DIDN’T STOP ALBERT. We don’t let dyslexia or language-related learning disabilities affect our students, either. They learn differently, and we offer them an education in a setting where they can thrive. See for yourself at the Fraser Academy Open House: Thursday, Feb. 5, 9:30-11:15am. For more info or to RSVP, visit www.fraseracademy.ca or call 604 736 5575. © Estate of Yousuf Karsh