Bridge tolis for thee

a second
opinion

IF the only sure things
in life are death and
taxes, where does the
idea of tolls on the
Lions Gate Bridge fit?

Some believe that without
some kind of a user fee, a new
First Narrows Crossing will
never be built — eventually,

that could become a matter of

life or death. On the other
hand, would a bridge toll
constitute a new tax?

It’s not an easy question
to answer. For instance, when
we receive an increase in the
rates we pay for electricity, or
auto insurance, does it repre-
sent a tax increase? Or when
we pay a fee to obtain a dri-
ver’s licence or to purchase a
pass to board a B.C. Ferry, is
that a tax? How about when
we pay the Airport
Improvement Fee each time
we take a flight out of
Vancouver International
Airport?

Whether we regard these
as taxes or not, it seems that
the future holds more in the
way of user fees for all of us.
And the main reason for this
is because of the strongly felt
sentiment in recent years that
government has grown too
large, too obtrusive and too

costly, Now, as government
downsizes and stops provid:
ing some of the services we've
become accustomed to iv
ing for no charge, it’s neces-
sary to brace ourselves as we
enter a new era of pay-as-vou-
£0.

For instance, on the other
side of the Lions Gate Bridge,
in the City of Vancouver, :
dents will soon be requi

books from public librarie
They're already charging for
the privilege of parking a car
in any public park. And soon,
parking meters in Vancouver
need to be plugged with
coins well into the evening,
hours and on Sundays as well
— that is, unless you're pre-
pared to pay yet another
charge: a parking ticker.

Fortunately, on the North
Shore we haven’t yet been
introduced to these kinds of
nuisance fees. But can we be
far behind our neighbors
across the water?

The test case will be the
forthcoming announcement
about a new and improved
First Narrows Crossing. Can
the crossing be significantly
upgraded without implement-
ing a toll on every vehicle
using the route? Of course it
can. In fact, as a crucial part
of the Lower Mainland’s
transportation system, there’s
no reason why it couldn’t be
financed in the same manner
as all provincial infrastructure.

But the NDP government
seems determined to travel
down the road of user fees.
And from their revenue-grab-
bing perspective it’s easy to
understand the appeal of the

. By charg
toll for cach
sitwould be possible
S abimost any conceiy
able new crossing: a new
bridge, a tunnel, vou name it.
Just look at the math: there
are more than 25 million
crossings over the Lions Gate
Bridge each vear. At two dol-
lars a pop, that means there
would be approximately $50
million per year to help
finance the project. And a
stream of revenue that large
would pay for just about any
crossing imaginable.

However, some might
wonder if tolls would reduce
the volume of traffic. For
instance, would motorists
refuse to pay the toll and trav-
el via the Second Narrows
Bridge instead?
interesting qu
the larger Second Narrows
Bridge currently counts more
than 40 million crossings
annually. And the total num-
ber of crossings over Burrard
Inlet will only increase over
time, with population growth
on the North Shore and
increased traffic to and from
the Sunshine Coast, Squamish
and Whistler.

Thankfully, placing a toll
on both North Shore Bridges
is simply not an option.
Wherever transportation user
fees are implemented, there
must be an alternative route
that is toll-free. This principle
was established when the
Coquihalla Highway to the
interior was built. Currendy,
it’s the only highway route in
the province where 2 toll is
charged. But for those who
don’t wish to pay the fee, the

Lions Gate Brix

older, slower Fraser Canyon
route is sail avai for tree.
So, even though the NDP
government would probably
prefer to place tolls on both
North Shore badges, they
won't, Which forces me to
wonder: if the government
wlly wants to vrab as much
revenue as possible trom
North Shore residents,
wouldn't it make better sense
to place the tolls on the larger
{ Narows Bridge
auld be imple-
mented almost immediately,
rather than waiting several

Friday, February 14 1997 — North Shcre News -— 7

years for a revamped First
Narrows Crossing
Oops" Just joking.
— The North Shore News

believes arongly in freedom of

speech and the right of ail sides

ina debate to be heard. The
columnists published in the

's present differing points

of view, bus those views are not
necessarily those of the newspa-

per itself.

rats oleeccant OFF!

Not valid with other offers (708!

1362 Marine Drive 980-91 ish
pen 7 days a week Mon-Sat 8:00am-6:00pm, Sun. 9:00am-5; Copal

Ply approved competitor's coupos of equal value accepted

Expires Feta 1797

Investor’s Guide to the
“Top RRSP Picks”

Where to invest this year’s RRSP contribution

Chris Carter
Financial Advisor

for income and growth

Choosing the right Mutual Funds for your RRSP

Proven long-term strategies and some nf the

best new opportunities

Great guaranteed fixed income investment

alternatives

Proven wealth accumulation strategies

RRSP eligible “Hard Asset” investments such as
precious metals, oil/gas and real estate

Order your copy now.

Calf CHARIS CARTER
Financial Advisor

925-5565

Your RRSP Expert, 365 days a year.

MIDLAND
WALWYN

BLUE

CHIP THINKING™

™ BLUE CHIP THINKING is a trademark of Midland Waiwyn Capital inc.
Midland Walwyn is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

* You probably promised yourself you'd:
scrub that toilet bowl this weekend. Or
sort your sacks. Or give Fido a bath.
But wouldn't you rather waich the sunrise
from the Rendezvous, get first tracks in
Ruby Bowl, take endless cruising runs
on 7th Heaven and kick back for

aprés at Merin’s?

Now’s the time to be at Blackcomb
enjoying the best conditions of the
season. Besides, there's plenty of time

te clean that toilet.

.in June.

Save up to $6 with a Fast tracks

ticket available at ory lower muiniand

BLyCKCOMB