Go Figure, Vancouver Billionaire Jim Pattison to Monitor TransLink, Transit- tax Spending if Referendum Passes

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner announced on Thursday that Jimmy Pattison will head an oversight committee if the transit referendum passes.

Jimmy Pattison, one of the richest men in Canada, will lead a panel that will monitor how TransLink spends the new 0.5 per cent Metro Vancouver transit tax, if the yes side wins the upcoming referendum.

"I know how important our transportation and transit system is, both to our needs now, and to the needs of our children and grandchildren," said Pattison. "We need this infrastructure, and the public has a right to transparency and accountability."

Pattison made his fortune by turning a string of car dealerships into a multinational conglomerate with interests in media distribution, grocery stores and outdoor advertising, but he has a history of volunteer work and philanthropy. In the 1980s he ran the highly successful Expo 86 World Fair, earning just a $1 a year for the five years he spent putting together the world exposition on transportation and communication. He confirmed he will not be paid for his new role heading the panel — if the referendum passes.

Hearing people "loud and clear"

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said the aim was to reassure the public the money will be properly spent. "We have heard loud and clear from the people of Metro Vancouver on this question. They want assurances that the money collected from the PST increase will go to pay for the critical transportation and transit improvements needed in the region," said Robertson. "By appointing Mr. Pattison to head up this oversight committee, we are providing voters with a concrete mechanism to monitor and ensure that the funds raised will be used for the infrastructure they are meant to pay for."

However, Jordan Bateman of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, who is heading up the no side in the referendum campaign, still questioned if even Pattison could help British Columbia’s Provincial Government, Metro Vancouver’s Mayors’ Council, TransLink's, or any part of Canada’s political machine’s tarnished and highly troubled reputation.

It is my own considered opinion that—If we Canadians wish to continue claiming to have a Democratic Government rather than a somewhat democratic dictatorship of the Specially Privileged,  the whole Government/Political situation in Canada is in serious reclamation, redesigning, and rebuilding.