Vancouver Liberals on transit: SkyTrain to UBC first, tax relief near construction
The Vancouver Liberals say finishing the SkyTrain line to UBC would be their top transportation priority. They would cut property taxes 50% for businesses during station construction, reward landlords who lower rent for affected tenants, and propose renaming YVR as Terry Fox International Airport.
TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION
SkyTrain to UBC, Business Support and YVR: what the Kareem's Plan for a Better Vancouver says
The Vancouver Liberals' transit section is short and centred on one line. The party says transit to UBC has been over capacity for years, and that with major development coming on Broadway and in the Endowment Lands, ending the SkyTrain line at Arbutus no longer works. It would make finishing the SkyTrain to UBC its top transportation priority, linking what it calls Western Canada's largest research centre with Western Canada's largest employment hub.
The party also looks at the cost of building. It says SkyTrain construction often cuts foot traffic and revenue for nearby shops. For businesses affected by new stations, it would reduce property taxes by 50% for as long as construction lasts, and introduce incentives for commercial landlords who lower rent for those tenants. The platform does not say what form those incentives would take.
The section ends with a proposal to rename YVR, Vancouver International Airport, as Terry Fox International Airport, in recognition of Terry Fox's legacy. The party says it would call on leaders and the public to support the change.
Only part of this is up to the city. TransLink, a regional body the city does not control, runs SkyTrain, so the city can push for the UBC line and plan its streets around it. Property taxes are set by Council. The airport is owned by the federal government through Transport Canada and leased to an airport authority, so the city can only ask for a new name.
THE PARTY'S NUMBERS
Figures in this chapter
Property tax cut the party would give businesses affected by SkyTrain construction
The party's figure4 COMMITMENTS
What the party says it would do
Make the SkyTrain to UBC the top transportation priority
The Vancouver Liberals would make finishing the SkyTrain extension to UBC their top transportation priority. The party says stopping the line at Arbutus is no longer practical given crowding on UBC transit and new development on Broadway and in the Endowment Lands.
- Who has the power
- Regional body TransLink, a regional body the city does not control, runs SkyTrain, so the city can only press for the extension and plan its streets around it.
Cut property taxes 50% for businesses during SkyTrain construction
The party would reduce property taxes by 50% for businesses affected by new SkyTrain stations, for the duration of construction.
- Who has the power
- City Council Council sets the property tax rate each year, though the platform does not say which power would let it charge some businesses less.
Incentives for landlords who lower rent for affected businesses
The party would introduce incentives for commercial landlords to lower rent for tenants affected by SkyTrain construction, so those businesses stay stable while transit is built.
- Who has the power
- City Council The platform does not name the incentive, and the city's tools for business property are its tax rate, fees and licences.
Rename YVR as Terry Fox International Airport
The party proposes renaming YVR Airport as Terry Fox International Airport, in recognition of Terry Fox's legacy, and calls on leaders and the public to support the change.
- Who has the power
- Federal government Transport Canada owns the airport and leases it to the Vancouver International Airport Authority, so the city can only ask for the change.
WHO WOULD HAVE TO ACT
Where the power sits for this chapter
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Questions about skytrain to ubc, business support and yvr
Do the Vancouver Liberals support the SkyTrain to UBC?
Yes. The Vancouver Liberals say finishing the SkyTrain to UBC would be their top transportation priority. The party says stopping the line at Arbutus is no longer practical. TransLink, a regional body, runs SkyTrain, so the city can only press for it (party issues page).
How would the Vancouver Liberals help businesses near SkyTrain construction?
The Vancouver Liberals would cut property taxes by 50% for affected businesses while construction lasts, and offer incentives to commercial landlords who lower their rent. The party does not say what the incentives would be (party issues page).
Do the Vancouver Liberals want to rename Vancouver airport after Terry Fox?
Yes. The Vancouver Liberals propose renaming YVR as Terry Fox International Airport and call on leaders and the public to support it. Transport Canada owns the airport and leases it to an airport authority, so the city can only ask (party issues page).
Can Vancouver City Council build the SkyTrain to UBC?
No. TransLink, a regional body the city does not control, runs SkyTrain. The Vancouver Liberals say the UBC line would be their top transportation priority, which means the city would push for it and plan its streets around it (party issues page).
What do the Vancouver Liberals say about cycling and roads?
The Vancouver Liberals' transit section covers the SkyTrain to UBC, help for businesses near construction and renaming YVR. It has no commitment on bike lanes or street design. The party's 400 new front-line workers are linked to fixing potholes (party issues page).
ON THE BALLOT
The Vancouver Liberals candidates behind this
Sources
Every commitment on this page comes from the party's own material, marked SAYS SO ITSELF. It proves what the party says it would do. Who holds each power is our own addition, from the sources listed after it.
- Kareem's Plan for a Better Vancouver (Issues page) SAYS SO ITSELFVancouver Liberals · checked
- List of airports owned by Transport Canada and leased to airport authorities Transport Canada · checked