[LabComm] Campbell blows it on RAV, says James

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

-- NDP Leader says transportation project sacrificed to Premier’s privatization agenda --

VICTORIA – Translink’s decision to kill the RAV line, despite the government’s last-ditch attempts to save it, is a repudiation of the Premier’s competence, and his failed privatization agenda, BC NDP Leader Carole James said today.

“It seems that every major project the premier touches, from privatizing the Coquihalla to the sale of BC Rail, results in scandal or failure,” said James.  “Now, despite the fact that everyone wants RAV and transit improvements in the Lower Mainland, it’s clear the Premier can’t deliver.”

James said that from the start the Premier was unwilling to compromise to achieve consensus on RAV.  Instead, he pushed his privatization plan forward with little regard for the concerns of taxpayers and local government.  The result was predictable:  No RAV and more transportation gridlock.

“Real leadership requires reaching out, building consensus, and forming partnerships with local government to get important things done for the community,” said James.  “The premier continues to fail on all these counts, pushing his privatization plan at the expense of improvements to transit.  

“Gordon Campbell thinks that because he has almost all the seats in the Legislature he doesn’t have to listen to anyone.  Once again, he’s learned that just isn’t true.”

James said the Premier should take a lesson from this defeat and use the opportunity to sit down with transit officials to work out a plan to invest provincial and federal dollars in transit.  She said the premier should ask for an assurance from the federal party leaders that Ottawa’s $450 million contribution to RAV is kept on the table after the federal election.

“Potentially, the premier has blown a chance to invest $450 million in federal dollars on transit with his intransigence,” said James.   “He needs to take steps to keep those dollars available to get transit moving in the Lower Mainland.”

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