Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Metro Vancouver mayors say they need billions of dollars from feds to grow transit

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Nov, 2023 03:24 PM
  • Metro Vancouver mayors say they need billions of dollars from feds to grow transit

Metro Vancouver mayors say they need billions of dollars over the next few years and a more reliable funding model from the federal government in order to improve transit. 

Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, chair of the Mayors’ Council, says they have agreed on a plan to expand transit services to accommodate for population growth and put affordable housing within reach of transit. 

The mayors have submitted a multibillion-dollar wish list to the federal government before the spring budget that includes $375 million to expand the bus fleet, $1.4 billion for additional bus depot capacity, up to $300 million for rapid transit and millions more in other improvements. 

West says to reduce overcrowding and allow for substantial service expansion, they need both federal and provincial funding commitments no later than mid-2024. 

The council says in a statement that TransLink is facing financial challenges, with services "essentially frozen" at 2019 levels, while the region's population has grown by almost 200,000 since then. 

The council is also calling on the federal minister of finance to join with them and the province in developing a new funding model for Translink, which would include an annual cost bump of at least five per cent to the permanent transit fund. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Avian flu at Chilliwack poultry

Avian flu at Chilliwack poultry
Avian flu has been detected in birds at a second commercial poultry operation in Chilliwack. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the infection was confirmed yesterday -- four days after another farm was quarantined and its flock was ordered destroyed to halt the spread of the highly infectious illness.

Avian flu at Chilliwack poultry

Rules were followed in alleged Islamophobic incident involving U.K. MP: Air Canada

Rules were followed in alleged Islamophobic incident involving U.K. MP: Air Canada
Air Canada says its staff followed procedure when it delayed a British MP for extra questions in what has been described as an Islamophobic incident during a recent diplomatic trip to Canada. Mohammad Yasin was pulled aside for questioning at London’s Heathrow Airport while other lawmakers he was travelling with were allowed through, and was stopped again at airports in Montreal and Toronto.

Rules were followed in alleged Islamophobic incident involving U.K. MP: Air Canada

Food Banks Canada report paints dire picture of Canada-wide affordability crisis

Food Banks Canada report paints dire picture of Canada-wide affordability crisis
There are many heartbreaking tales behind the record number of Canadians using food banks as they struggle with high inflation and mounting housing costs, says a Vancouver food bank executive. More and more people are accessing its services each year, and with greater frequency than in the past, Boulter said, as low wages and high rents squeeze people between inflation and other rising costs.  

Food Banks Canada report paints dire picture of Canada-wide affordability crisis

B.C. moves up zero-emission vehicle target, with 100-per-cent sales goal by 2035

B.C. moves up zero-emission vehicle target, with 100-per-cent sales goal by 2035
The British Columbia government is taking steps to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles to meet its 100-per-cent sales target five years sooner than initially planned. If passed, the legislation to amend the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act would increase access and choice for electric vehicle buyers, as new provincial funding expands the charging network, a statement from the Energy Ministry said.

B.C. moves up zero-emission vehicle target, with 100-per-cent sales goal by 2035

More than half of B.C. businesses in survey reported cyberattacks in past year

More than half of B.C. businesses in survey reported cyberattacks in past year
Global accounting firm KPMG says cybercrime is a growing issue in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. The firm says a survey of 700 Canadian businesses conducted last month revealed that more than half of those in Vancouver and on the island had been hit by cyberattacks in the last year.

More than half of B.C. businesses in survey reported cyberattacks in past year

B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says

B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says
A commercial helicopter with 14 people on board landed safely in Victoria on Tuesday after it was hit by lightning. Rick Hill, the vice-president of Helijet, said the aircraft was at about 1,200 metres when it was hit by lightning, the two pilots on board took the chopper down to below the clouds and then landed without trouble in Victoria a few minutes later. 

B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says