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May 6, 2003 - NEWS RELEASE
Coquihalla partnership means break for taxpayers
Burnaby, B.C. - The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association says a proposed Coquihalla Highway partnership, announced today by the government, will help meet B.C.'s needs without increasing taxes or government debt.
"The previous government left British Columbians not only with a fiscal deficit, but also with an enormous infrastructure deficit," said Philip Hochstein, executive vice-president of the association. "We're taxed to the max. Public-private partnerships are a proven model to address infrastructure needs while finally giving taxpayers a break."
Hochstein said British Columbians are already saddled with enough taxes but are looking to the government for highway improvements and upgrades.
He urged the BC Progress Board to monitor the disbursement of all funds accruing from any Coquihalla partnership to ensure that all revenues are dedicated to transportation infrastructure, particularly those projects needed throughout the Interior.
"Every last cent from any potential Coquihalla partnership must go to improve transportation," said Hochstein. "British Columbians, particularly those in the Interior, expect nothing less than a full accounting of how the proceeds from the Coquihalla are spent."
He expressed the hope that a successful Coquihalla Highway partnership will help set the stage for similar partnerships in other areas and raise public confidence in the private sector as a viable, cost-effective and safe way to meet the province's public infrastructure and service needs.
"British Columbia stands to gain as a province if we apply the same model to building and renovating our schools, health care facilities and other public projects," Hochstein said. "It is a model that has been successfully tried and tested all around the world and one we need to embrace in British Columbia."
| ICBA is the voice of BC's construction industry. For further information, or if you have any questions or comments regarding this article, please contact ICBA. |
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