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MEDIA RELEASE IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2010 NO Vote Brings Tough Choices to City Council Victoria, BC – Tough choices are all that are left on the table now that the voters of Victoria have decided the city cannot borrow to address the state of the Johnson St Bridge. “The City will now have to consider a number of options to continue operating the bridge. And one has to ask how they will deal with the risk of knowing that the bridge is nearing the end of its useful life and the liability issues that raises. We will certainly be concerned about the impact that any of the less-than-attractive options they have before them will impact on our region’s economic vitality,” says Bruce Carter, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. The City of Victoria referendum question was seeking permission from voters to borrow up to $49.2 million to fund the rebuilding of the bridge. The bridge is coming to the end of its design life and needs to be addressed substantially in the next few years. “Certainly the voters message can be interpreted as the cost being too great,” continues Carter. “They may well have gotten the same result on a referendum to borrow a similar amount for refurbishment. The question now is, what can be done with the project and where will the money come from, if not through borrowing?” The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has approximately 1500 members and is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region. The Greater Victoria Chamber has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. -30- For more information contact: Shannon Renault Bruce Carter Manager Policy Development & Communications Chief Executive Officer Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Cell 250-812-0510 Email: bcarter@gvcc.org Email: srenault@gvcc.org Cell: 250-889-2271
MEDIA RELEASE
November 20, 2010
NO Vote Brings Tough Choices to City Council
Victoria, BC – Tough choices are all that are left on the table now that the voters of Victoria have decided the city cannot borrow to address the state of the Johnson St Bridge.
“The City will now have to consider a number of options to continue operating the bridge. And one has to ask how they will deal with the risk of knowing that the bridge is nearing the end of its useful life and the liability issues that raises. We will certainly be concerned about the impact that any of the less-than-attractive options they have before them will impact on our region’s economic vitality,” says Bruce Carter, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
The City of Victoria referendum question was seeking permission from voters to borrow up to $49.2 million to fund the rebuilding of the bridge. The bridge is coming to the end of its design life and needs to be addressed substantially in the next few years.
“Certainly the voters message can be interpreted as the cost being too great,” continues Carter. “They may well have gotten the same result on a referendum to borrow a similar amount for refurbishment. The question now is, what can be done with the project and where will the money come from, if not through borrowing?”
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has approximately 1500 members and is the voice of business for the Greater Victoria region. The Greater Victoria Chamber has received Accreditation with Distinction from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
-30-
For more information contact:
Shannon Renault Bruce Carter
Cell 250-812-0510 Email: bcarter@gvcc.org
Email: srenault@gvcc.org Cell: 250-889-2271