FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2022
VANCOUVER — ABC Vancouver mayoral candidate Ken Sim released the following statement in response to Mayor Kennedy Stewart’s deflection and denial of the existence of plans to implement a City of Vancouver road tax.
“Today, Kennedy Stewart launched a new attack where he once again deflected on the issue of implementing a road tax in the City of Vancouver.
“Kennedy Stewart has never once said that he opposes a road tax, yet he is now trying to hide from the fact that he voted in favour it. His only defence is to suggest that the implementation of a road tax is “fake news”.
“Mayor Kennedy Stewart has further suggested that the City does not have the authority to implement a road tax. He knows that is false.
“In 2021, City Manager Sadhu Johnston offered several possible options that the City could pursue to implement a road tax. Additionally, he advised Kennedy Stewart that “There are ways that this type of arrangement can be done with the powers we have now” in regards to implementing a city-specific road pricing scheme.
“If the City were unable to implement their own form of road pricing, they would not have drawn up boundaries or hired three firms to assist with the development and implementation. Most importantly, the City would not be spending $1.5 Million to study and explore something that they cannot implement.
“Vancouver deserves leadership that will work to make life more affordable. On my first day as Mayor with an ABC majority, I will order a stop to all work and development on this road tax.”
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Media Contact:
Taylor Verrall
604-968-3067 | taylor@abcvancouver.ca
Sources:
City of Vancouver Memo to Council — November 5th, 2021:
https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/11-05-2021-council-memo.pdf
City of Vancouver Memo to Council — May 6th, 2022:
https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/2022-05-06-council-memo-rts-14240-transport-pricing-spring-2022.pdf
Daily Hive — Vancouver City Council approves planning for road tolls into downtown and Central Broadway, November 17, 2020:
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-road-tolls-mobility-pricing-metro-core-approved
Daily Hive — City of Vancouver budget calls for $1.5 million in road tolls planning:
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-road-tolls-mobility-pricing-planning-budget
City of Vancouver Council Minutes — November 3, 5, and 17, 2020
https://council.vancouver.ca/20201103/documents/reguminutes20201103min.pdf