Transit plebiscite telephone town hall well attended

CUPE BC Secretary-Treasurer Paul Faoro listens as Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson answers a question about regional transportation and transit improvements during CUPE BC’s telephone townhall for CUPE members.

BURNABY—CUPE BC held a telephone townhall earlier this week as part of its campaign in support of a ‘Yes’ vote in Metro Vancouver’s transportation and transit plebiscite, giving thousands of CUPE members in the region an opportunity to hear about the plan directly from Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, as well as Paul Moist, national president of CUPE.

“CUPE does not support the concept of taxation policy or public services policy being set by a referendum or a plebiscite, but we really have no choice but to campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote,” Moist told the audience. “A strong message in support of public services will send a strong message, not just here in Metro Vancouver, but across the country, as communities all over Canada are facing serious choices about aging public infrastructure.

“Let’s get a ‘Yes’ vote and work to elect a provincial government in 2017 that will have the courage to properly fund public services,” said Moist.

Robertson briefed the audience on the wide range of initiatives and improvements that residents will see if the plan is approved, and answered questions from CUPE members.

“It’s important for all of us to recognize, as Mayor Robertson said tonight, that this plebiscite is about more than transit,” said Faoro while concluding the townhall. “That’s why our executive board voted for CUPE BC to campaign for a ‘Yes’ vote. This plan is good for our communities, it’s good for our members, and it will help accommodate the growth we know is coming to our region.”

To learn more about CUPE BC’s campaign, and about the Mayors’ Council plan for better transportation and transit, visit www.cupebcvotes.com.

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