NDP On A Train to Nowhere

Some locals are suggesting that the NDP are the heros of rail service in the Fraser Valley. Another local blog sings the NDP praises. Well, just look what the NDP will do to rail service on Vancouver Island. Do we really want the NDP mucking around with rail in the Fraser Valley?

The NDP's announcement that they will move ahead with rail bed and track improvements on Vancouver Island is yet another unfunded commitment that the NDP have no ability to actually deliver on.  Let's look at what the NDP said and contrast it with the facts:

• By the NDP's own numbers the cost of upgrading the rail line is estimated at over $100-million.   Yet the NDP only committed $35-million for the project over five years -- that's two electoral cycles.  This funding will not come close to upgrading the rail line.
• The NDP claim they will raise the $35-million through their questionable “Green Bond” financing scheme.  In other words, the $35-million investment in the E&N Rail corridor is contingent on British Columbians giving their money to the NDP.  Would you invest your money with the NDP?
• The BC Liberals announced $5-million in funding for the rail line in November to provide property tax relief and to undertake a $500,000 study to determine the costs and viability of upgrading the E&N rail line for freight and passenger services.  The NDP voted against this funding and clearly were not interested in seeing the business plan before committing to the project. 

It's clear from today’s announcement that the NDP have learned nothing from the disastrous fast ferries project in the 1990s.  Just like the fast ferries, the NDP's announcement today commits them to upgrade a rail line with no business plan in place, no idea what the project will cost and only $35-million in funding for a project that even the NDP believe will cost tens of millions more. Perhaps even Carole James realizes this is yet another disastrous NDP policy and that's why she chose to skip the announcement today.