VANCOUVER, B.C.: Two days before the final ballots are due the No TransLink Tax campaign has released its final list of donors.
TransLink Mayors have refused to disclose exactly how much taxpayer money they are spending on the YES campaign. The Mayors’ campaign is getting substantial support, estimated at more than $7 million, from TransLink and all 19 supporting municipalities.
Further, the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition has refused to identify its donors. The Coalition has also refused to disclose how much money they are receiving from member groups that often collect government funding, and whether any direct taxpayer-funded resources are going to their campaign.
“We believe in transparency and are voluntarily publishing our donor list,” said Hamish Marshall, No TransLink Tax campaign manager. “This campaign was been a David and Goliath battle with the $39,687.95 we raised from voluntary donations compared to the more than $7 million which has been poured into the YES side from taxpayers’ pockets. ”
Under the plebiscite rules brought in by the provincial government, there is no legal requirement for campaigns to disclose donors. In the interest of transparency, the No TransLink Tax campaign has proactively released the names of all donors over $200, and a breakdown of smaller donations. The donations released today cover the period March 12 to May 27, 2015. Donations made before March 12 can be found here.
For the final list of No TransLink Tax campaign donors, click HERE.