Say Anything: BC Liberal Election Strategy

More signs of how out of touch, or desperate, Premier Clark is to give voters the illusion she is listening and her government might do something to ease their financial burdens, the ones that were imposed by none other than her own government. 

I hope the voters of Surrey are listening to what she says about why they are on the hook for this (see below). I'm pretty sure Mary Polak (who is the most ridiculous choice for a Minister of Transportation most of us could ever conceive of) must be pissed that her boss isn't backing her up. No matter what people might think of either dim bulb, as a leader, if you're not on the same page as your own people, that is a very clear indication that you are a leader only by title and you do not have the support of those below you. That is as good as a death certificate. 

This photo-op/media spin is also a perfect example of the bafflegab the BC Liberals have perfected. If you read what she says and listen to her statements, there isn't a single, concrete thing. It's all smoke and mirrors and might be's. 

For instance, the "planned Prosperity Fund" "can be used to pay down" any number of large BC Liberal-incurred debts. Go to the Leader to hear audio files of both the Premier and Polak and what they have to say about it all. 

Premier eyes toll cut, insists voters can veto transit funding

By Jeff Nagel - Surrey North Delta Leader, April 19, 2013.

Premier Christy Clark is dangling the possibility of an early reduction in tolls on the Port Mann Bridge while contradicting her transportation minister's claim a referendum on TransLink funding would raise taxes for transit one way or another.

In a Black Press interview Friday, Clark said a planned Prosperity Fund, raised from expected liquefied natural gas royalties, can be used to pay down not just the provincial debt, but also the Port Mann/Highway 1 project debt, allowing an early cut in tolls.

"As we can afford to, we want to reduce those tolls," Clark said. "Once we've paid off the debt on the Port Mann Bridge, those tolls can go down pretty substantially."

Asked how that squares with past statements that funds benefitting Metro Vancouverites must be raised within the region, Clark said provincial debt would have "first call" on the fund, but it can also be used against BC Ferries, BC Hydro and Port Mann debt.

Clark also refused to endorse a statement by Transportation Minister Mary Polak that a regional referendum would force Metro voters to choose from revenue options for TransLink, not let them veto them all.

"If voters don't want it, we're not going to impose it on them," Clark insisted.

Polak indicated Thursday there would not be a none-of-the-above option in the referendum – the outcome would have to result in new revenue for TransLink and it was just a matter of voters choosing from a menu of tools.

"We don't know what the referendum question will look like yet," Clark said, adding the province will work with TransLink to design it.

"I'm sure one of the options is going to be a status quo option. And the status quo option is the same thing as not approving any new funding."

She said she hopes proposals to finance TransLink will arise that are affordable and win public support because improved transit is needed in Metro Vancouver.

Questioned about frustration in Surrey about bearing the brunt of bridge tolls, the premier said the new Port Mann Bridge also benefits Surrey more than other areas, citing reduced commute times.

"We found a way to get it done," she said. "For people in Surrey, that's the most important part – that it got done."

On the Liberals' promise to replace the Massey Tunnel, Clark wouldn't say if the new bridge or tunnel will be tolled.

"I don't know what it will look like at the end," she said. "But the provincial tolling policy will apply." That policy is the one that allows tolls only on new infrastructure and only when there's a free reasonable alternative.

Currently the Pattullo Bridge is the free alternative to the Port Mann, but critics say the concept would become ridiculous if either a rebuilt Pattullo or Deas crossing is tolled as well.

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts has repeatedly called for "fair tolling" reforms and all Metro Vancouver mayors want a hard look at road pricing.

The provincial policy bars such changes and the premier said she has no plans to alter it.

"This whole idea… that we should be putting a toll on just about every road, just about every bridge, whether it's new, whether it's old – I just don't agree with that," Clark said.

"I don't agree that people should be paying tolls on infrastructure that was built 30, 40 years ago."