In order to hear the transportation priorities of British Columbians, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has created an online survey called “B.C. on the Move” that will be open until December 12. Minister Todd Stone says the responses on this survey will be used in the creation of a ten year plan for investments in the province’s transportation infrastructure, but the NDP transportation critic, Claire Trevena, says it is just another example of the current government’s inclination towards “bogus” consultation processes.
The survey asks respondents for varying levels of agreement on statements such as “Keeping highways, bridges and side roads in good condition,” and “Supporting LNG and other resource development over the next decade.”
The survey does not address any ferry-related issues, as the Ministry will be relying on data gathered by the ferries commissioner during the consultations conducted in 2011.
Trevena says that the survey has nothing to do with transportation
in B.C.
“We need a serious plan, and also a serious conversation about what we need transportation to be in this province,” says Trevena. “But these simplistic questions do not amount to that.”
Trevena also raises issue with the meetings Sea to Sky MLA Jordan Sturdy conducted in communities across Vancouver Island in September.
“He met with 70 groups, but they were all closed-door meetings. That is not very helpful,” she says. “The government needs to be honest with people and understand that a transportation plan needs to look at the complete infrastructure, which includes not only ferries but also creating pedestrian and cycle-friendly communities.”
Trevena says she’s raised these issues in response to points made by Minister Stone in the legislature. When asked whether she thinks people should fill the survey out, she said they should, if they want.
“But I don’t know how well they would be listened to. People in coastal communities have filled out all kinds of surveys on their opinions and what’s important to them, and they’ve never been listened to in the past. Really, the government is only focused on one thing and that’s growing the LNG industry.”
Adam Holbrook, chair of Bowen Island’s transportation advisory committee says that he did fill out the survey and he would encourage others to do the same.
“When you do you realize what the ministry’s priorities are and ferries are at the very bottom, in fact they don’t even want to hear about ferries. Yes, we know they say they will use the information gathered in the 2011 consultations, but those were a failure. The results are pre-ordained.”
