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MEDIA RELEASE March 10, 2011 Chamber Supports Leadership of Mayor Frank Leonard March 10, 2011 – Victoria, BC – The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce applauds the leadership of Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard in his call for the CRD to take over the responsibility for regional transportation planning. “So many groups and individuals in the region have been lauding the notion of regional transportation planning for years. What has been needed is the political leadership to move that agenda forward,” says Shannon Renault, Manager of Policy Development and Communications at the Greater Victoria Chamber. The Chamber has been calling for regional transportation planning for years, as a necessary mechanism to create an overall transportation plan supporting regional growth and prioritizing projects to reach that end. “We also echo Mayor Leonard’s concerns over the rate increases for our regional transit system,” continues Renault. “Transit is calling for a 30% increase on residents’ levies, but that rate for business is at a five times multiple. While residents are facing an average rate increase of $28.00 this year and $69.00 over three years, businesses will see an increase on average of $356 in the first year and $925 over three years. And this increase does not even consider improvements to transit currently under discussion. It’s simply not sustainable for either businesses or residents.” The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has close to 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 Manager Policy Development & Communications Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Tel: (250) 383 7191 Ext 208 Cell 812-0510 Email: srenault@gvcc.org
MEDIA RELEASE
March 10, 2011
Chamber Supports Leadership of Mayor Frank Leonard
March 10, 2011 – Victoria, BC – The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce applauds the leadership of Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard in his call for the CRD to take over the responsibility for regional transportation planning.
“So many groups and individuals in the region have been lauding the notion of regional transportation planning for years. What has been needed is the political leadership to move that agenda forward,” says Shannon Renault, Manager of Policy Development and Communications at the Greater Victoria Chamber.
The Chamber has been calling for regional transportation planning for years, as a necessary mechanism to create an overall transportation plan supporting regional growth and prioritizing projects to reach that end.
“We also echo Mayor Leonard’s concerns over the rate increases for our regional transit system,” continues Renault. “Transit is calling for a 30% increase on residents’ levies, but that rate for business is at a five times multiple. While residents are facing an average rate increase of $28.00 this year and $69.00 over three years, businesses will see an increase on average of $356 in the first year and $925 over three years. And this increase does not even consider improvements to transit currently under discussion. It’s simply not sustainable for either businesses or residents.”
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has close to 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.
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For more information contact:
Tel: (250) 383 7191 Ext 208 Cell 812-0510
Email: srenault@gvcc.org