SURREY – We are gravely concerned that the City of Surrey and Translink are about to violate British Columbia’s Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
In an internal memo sent to Surrey City council from their General Manager of Engineering, an “LRT communications plan” is laid out for September and October.
It says the goal is to “earn and maintain support for the project with proactive, early, broad, regular and high-visible communications.”
BableenRana and Doug McCallum are calling for that LRT Communications Plan to be released to them immediately. There should be a proper and thorough review BEFORE any tax dollars are wasted.
The SkyTrain versus LRT debate is at the heart of this election.
It is not clear that theauthor of the communication strategy was even aware of British Columbia’s Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. It is also notclear that the act was even considered.The City of Surrey and/or Translink will have to register as Third Party Advertisers.
Imagine this: the City of Surrey as a registered Third Party advertiser to promote the platform of the party currently in power. Their other option is don’t spend a penny – or any staff time.
The preservation of impartiality of staff is in questionhere and the perceived interference by City and Translinkraises serious concerns regarding bias and interference in the election.
