A friendly reminder that if you haven’t already done so, today is the day to go out and VOTE for a candidate to represent you in parliament!
The outcome of the federal election can have an impact on the pace of the build-out of transit projects. The regional Mayors’ Council has prepared a detailed guide outlining how the various parties’ platforms impact on transit proposals in our region, including the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain:
View the Cure Congestion Federal Election Voters' Guide
Which parties support the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain?
Transit expansion in our region is a major federal election issue. Along with municipal representatives from Surrey and the two Langleys, the Mayors’ Council has promoted the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain and several shortlisted transit projects in our region (including future SkyTrain to UBC and King George Boulevard, as well as the SFU/Burnaby Mountain Gondola) as part of its “Cure Congestion” campaign. Federal parties were urged to commit to stable, permanent transit funding to ensure future expansions, including the full 16 kilometre Surrey-Langley SkyTrain, can proceed.
The Liberal Party, the New Democratic Party (NDP), and the Green Party have all included a commitment to stable transit project funding in its platform. Although specific projects were not named in these platforms, this stable transit funding, to be allocated per the terms of the Mayors’ 10-year-vision, would allow for the construction of a full 16 kilometre Surrey-Langley SkyTrain by 2025.
The Mayors’ Council chair and New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote has expressed concern that a Conservative government outcome could delay transit projects including the build-out of the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain, as the Conservatives did not commit to stable transit funding and have furthermore proposed to delay the timeline for infrastructure spending from 12 to 15 years in its platform.
Can we still get SkyTrain to Langley under a Conservative Government?
The Conservative platform does outline a commitment to investing in transportation projects that reduce congestion, and prioritizing projects based on the degree that they are able to reduce congestion and slash travel times for commuters. The Surrey-Langley SkyTrain project is largely oriented around converting auto trips to transit and reducing travel times, and we believe it would be a strong candidate under these parameters. We are also encouraged by the show of support from Conservative candidates who have expressed interest in advocating for the SLS.
SUMMARY
If this party forms government, will the…
- Full 16 km Surrey-Langley SkyTrain proceed through a permanent transit fund
Liberal: YES - COMMITTED TO FUND - $3b per year
Conservative: NO - DID NOT COMMIT + Reducing infra $$
NDP: YES - COMMITTED TO FUND - Unspecified amount
Green: YES - COMMITTED TO FUND - $3.4b per year - Full 16 km Surrey-Langley SkyTrain proceed through specific project commitment
Conservative: POSSIBLE - Aligns with platform
All other parties: Proceeds through PTF - Funding be available for potential SkyTrain extension to Newton
Liberal: YES - Through PTF
Conserative: POSSIBLE - Not yet committed
NDP: YES - Through PTF
Green: YES - Through PTF
SkyTrain Phase 1 to Fleetwood to proceed regardless of outcome
Here is the good news: the SLS phase 1 extension to Fleetwood will remain on track regardless of the party that forms government.
The Mayors’ Council noted that the Conservative Party has confirmed to them that the funded first phase extension of SkyTrain to Fleetwood is considered an “existing commitment” approved by the previous government, and will proceed.
However, with TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond’s confirmation that SkyTrain can reach Langley by 2025 (if built in a single phase), we are obviously interested in seeing a government that will support the full extension.
Who do I vote for?
There is a major opportunity for us in this election. A permanent transit fund, which is widely supported, not only ensures that the full 16 kilometre Surrey-Langley SkyTrain can proceed and be built by 2025. As it is a permanent transit fund, future funding may enable further extensions of SkyTrain into our region, such as SkyTrain along King George Boulevard from City Centre to Newton. It will also enable other projects such as the UBC SkyTrain extension and SFU/Burnaby Mountain Gondola, so you can access more places in our region through our SkyTrain.
Although positive outcomes are possible from all of the various election outcomes, the benefits of a permanent transit fund cannot be understated. As such, SkyTrain for Surrey encourages you to vote strategically to ensure that a candidate from either the Liberals, NDP or Green Party (and not the Conservative Party) is elected. Which candidate this will be would likely depend on your riding; we will leave the selection to you.
Thank you again for your longstanding support. Let’s hope for the best this election, and please remember to VOTE!