Mayors seeking assurances from B.C.’s top parties

Metro Vancouver mayors want the four major B.C. political parties to ensure regional issues are on their agendas for the upcoming provincial election.

On March 1, Metro Vancouver sent letters to the leaders of the Conservatives, Green party, Liberals and New Democrats, inviting discussion and posing seven questions in four categories: affordable housing, transit, the environment and the province’s working relationship with the regional district.

The parties have until March 31 to answer, and responses will be posted on the Local Government Matters website.

“We want to highlight these issues as we move forward into the 2017 election,” said Greg Moore, chair of the Metro Vancouver board. “For B.C. to be successful, we need a strong Metro Vancouver, and it’s local governments that are at the front line of everything we do for our citizens.”

The goal of the project is to have the major parties publicly clarify their platforms on what Metro Vancouver calls “critical issues facing the region” and explain those issues to voters.

One question relates to what the parties will do to help TransLink and the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation (which is partnering with Metro for the Local Government Matters initiative) deliver phase two of its 10-year transit plan for the region. The mayors have repeatedly called on the province and the federal government to commit to funding the second phase of the plan as soon as possible.

“Metro Vancouver residents support the plan and want the plan to be delivered,” Moore said.

Metro wants to know what the parties will do to support an expanded inventory of affordable rental housing options, alleviate homelessness and support the recommendations recently made by the regional homelessness task force.

“We hope that the parties running in the provincial election share our concern and they’re putting forward solid platforms to address this,” said Mike Clay, chair of the housing committee.

The regional district also wants the parties to commit to striking an ad hoc committee to discuss regional issues, to providing longterm, sustainable funding for major capital projects, and to change the homeowner grant program.

“We need a collaborative environment, and ultimately this is the way we can make the quality of life within our region better,” said Metro Vancouver board vice-chair Raymond Louie.