TransLink stands firm on new tax

By Dan Hilborn
Published Apr. 22, 2006


Despite losing the battle against the new TransLink parking tax, Ted Williams of the Park the Tax Coalition is still hopeful of winning the war against what he sees as one of the most unfair new taxes ever imposed on Lower Mainland businesses.

"The coalition did a fantastic job of raising the issue of how bad the parking tax is," Williams said Thursday, one day after the TransLink board voted 8-4 in favour of a new $20-million tax on parking stalls.

"The TransLink board of directors are fully aware it is not a good tax," he said, noting that discussions are underway to find an replacement for the $1.02 per square metre tax that will be charged against owners of parking stalls.

Williams, a director of Metrotown Properties, which owns and operates the giant Metropolis at Metrotown shopping complex, also heaped praise on Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan for his efforts to lead the fight against the tax.

The region's $3-billion transportation plan is the problem, Williams said. He agreed with Corrigan's comments from earlier in the week that Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon's impending review of the TransLink's structure could provide the answer.

While Williams was reluctant to discuss what possible changes he wants to see, he did express concern about the way the three TransLink directors from Vancouver - Mayor Sam Sullivan and councillors Peter Ladner and Suzanne Anton - voted as a bloc.

"They basically said they'd squeeze their noses and vote for it," Williams said, noting that Anton and Ladner both expressed a hope of finding an alternate way to fund the expected $300 million shortfall in the total $3 billion Gateway transportation plan.

"We have stated from the beginning that we support responsibly financed programs, and the current plan is not responsibly financed at all," said Williams, who also represents the International Council of Shopping Centres.

"We should have a much better board," Williams said.

Voting against the tax were Corrigan, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watt, Langley Township Mayor Kurt Albers and North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton.

Contacted earlier in the week, Burnaby-Edmonds MLA Raj Chouhan said he was opposed to the parking tax because it would have a negative impact on small businesses, which are already facing rising cost pressures.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a bad tax," Chouhan said. "Small businesses are already under a huge pressure, and by adding this tax, it's not going to help them."

"This is just another excuse to collect a tax."