We are about to have a referendum for the first specific tax for specific purposes – 2015: Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax.
Now if the referendum results are positive, I have some predictions.
The floodgates will open because politicians have learned a new way to market new tax sources.
Be ready for some new “worthy cause” referendums:
2016: Education Class Size Reduction Tax;
2017: Health Wait Time Reduction Tax;
2018: Policing Enhancement Tax;
2019: Poverty Reduction Tax;
2020: Affordable Housing Tax;
2021: Utility Infrastructure Replacement Tax;
2022: [Insert popular issue here] Tax.
Let’s not forget the general tax revenue fund.
It will continue to exist but will be left for whimsical projects.
This referendum is about bigger issues than just transportation.
It is a test. Be aware of the implications of voting yes.
Allan Alton, Surrey
