More Opposition to the GP

CSDP Policy on the Port Mann / Highway 1 expansion. Civil Society Development Project. 3 Nov. 2008 website.
Keeling, Paul, and Christopher Barrington-Leigh. “Greenwashing Gateway.” The Tyee 19 Mar. 2007. 31 Oct. 2008 website.

The Civil Society Development Project is also opposed to H1 expansion. However they introduce a thorough analysis of PPPs that are now frequently used by the provincial government in major projects. Their claims are that by introducing the concept of profit into services for the general public, a conflict of interest arises. The claim is made that maximizing profits will create inequalities amongst the users. Many examples are used from Toronto and Australia of PPPs where public interest has been compromised. They also claim that PPPs do not have to be as accountable as the government and that there are then issues relating to transparency. They state is that if the government wishes to go ahead with the project, the tolls must be public and be enacted on a system wide basis in order to act equally on all citizens. They say that this would be the most effective way to discourage unnecessary trips. In addition, they explain that if the province and region keep opposing views of infrastructure development, future city planning will be nearly impossible.

The Civil Society Development Project including Keeling and Barrington-Leigh take a more balanced perspective on the issue. They clearly state that they are opposed to the project on similar ground to the LRC and DSF. This article offers some good insight about how to satisfy the economic necessities of twining the PMB and sustainable development. The argument against PPP’s is very strong and builds off what we learned in class. What is even more interesting is the proposal for system wide tolling in order to discourage vehicle usage and finance transportation projects. It would probably be expensive to implement but I can see how it would benefit the region in the long term. It raises the issue of equal treatment of all citizens of Metro Vancouver; why should only those south of the Fraser be paying for vehicle use and be punished for being vehicle dependent.


November 3

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