Metro Vancouver mayors are once again calling on the provincial government to implement a vehicle levy to help pay for more transit in the region.
The TransLink mayors’ council warned Friday that a property tax increase would be necessary without the levy, which they believe to be the best short-term funding option.
They plan to take the request to Transportation Minister Mary Polak within the next two weeks.
“The minister has asked once again for an affirmation of what is still on the table as far as we’re concerned,” said District of North Vancouver Mayor Richard Walton. “The vehicle levy is very much on the table.”
The levy could ding drivers $130 per car or truck annually, if not more.
B.C. has had legislation in place for a vehicle levy for a decade, but the government has already nixed the unpopular idea three times. The Liberals last rejected the levy proposal just last year, and may be wary about approving it in advance of the provincial election in May.
The levy is also just one part of solving the transit funding puzzle. The mayors said other measures could involve tolling roads and bridges, or charging drivers for every kilometre driven.
“We’ve been talking about something that's relatively modest and graduated, that may deal with for instance different vehicle types, the size of your engine or the gross weight of your vehicle,” said Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan.
Other options would be to once again hike fuel taxes, or appeal to the federal government for assistance.
With a report from CTV British Columbia’s Peter Grainger
