Transit and Transportation Referendum - Vote!

In a referendum coming up in March, Metro Vancouver residents will be asked to vote on a 0.5 per cent hike in B.C.'s Provincial Sales Tax to improve public transit service. Our votes will approve or reject the Metro Vancouver Mayors’ Council plan for more transit routes, more buses and HandyDART vans, more options and better routes for cyclists and drivers and better transportation options over the region.

The PSAC BC Region and the Vancouver and West Fraser Valley Area Councils, representing members throughout the Lower Mainland, encourages you to find out more about the referendum and to cast your ballot.

We also encourage you to attend one of the upcoming Transit Forums sponsored by the Metro Vancouver Alliance.

• Richmond - Monday, March 2 at 7PM - St. Joseph the Worker Parish School (Gym) - RSVP and more info
• Downtown/Strathcona - Thursday, March 12 at 7PM - Carnegie Community Centre (Theatre room) - RSVP and more info
• South Vancouver - Wednesday, March 18 at 7PM - First Lutheran Church - RSVP and more info

Better transit and transportation helps the economy, the environment and our quality of life. The health benefits of an effective, accessible, transit system and reduced road congestion have also been well documented.

The BC Federation of Labour, the Metro Vancouver Alliance, and dozens more community, labour, and business organizations are all campaigning for a yes vote in the referendum. To find out more and to get involved visit bettertransit.info.

How to vote

To vote in the plebiscite, residents must be Canadian citizens, have lived in B.C. for at least six months before May 29 and be a resident of Metro Vancouver. Voters also be at least 18 years old as of May 29 and registered with Elections BC. To register online or update your name or address, visit the e-register section of the Elections BC website.

A voting package that will be mailed out to all registered voters in Metro Vancouver includes a ballot, secrecy and certification envelope, instructions on voting and a postage-paid return envelope. The package will also include a declaration that the voter is the one identified on the ballot and has not previously voted in the plebiscite.

Ballots will be mailed out on March 16 and voters have until 8 p.m. on May 29 to mail them in to Elections BC. For more information visit the Elections BC website.

More info/resources

Metro Vancouver Alliance has produced a video that outlines some of the problems users have accessing transit services ...

Via the BC Fed: Five Reasons a YES vote in the Transit Plebiscite is good for workers.

Democracy is important, be sure to cast you ballot in the referendum!

Bob Jackson, Regional Executive Vice President, PSAC BC
Johann Ackermann, President, West Fraser Valley Area Council
Jamey Mills, President, Vancouver Area Council