NV Chamber CEO Patrick Stafford-Smith (far right) at the Save Transit event with both North Vancouver mayors, Capilano Students’ Union representatives, and business community members.
The North Vancouver Chamber gathered alongside both North Vancouver mayors, The Shipyards District BIA, local business owners, and CapU students to support the Mayors’ Council Save Transit campaign on October 1 at The Shipyards.
TransLink faces a structural deficit of over $600 million and, with no new funding committed to date by the government, is preparing to make significant cuts to service that will have catastrophic effects throughout the region. Despite making significant cost-cutting measures, TransLink says it is still not nearly enough to address the deficit.
We’ve been actively raising awareness about the importance of reliable public transportation and how a robust transit system impacts everything from employee commutes to customer access. Our outreach efforts emphasize that investing in transit is not just about getting people from point A to point B; it’s about supporting local businesses and enhancing our overall quality of life.
“Transportation is the number one economic issue that we face—our business community has made that clear to us,” says North Vancouver Chamber CEO Patrick Stafford-Smith. “This is not just a local issue; it’s a matter of regional development, economic stability, and social equity. Transit funding cuts also undermine our collective commitment to sustainability.”
North Vancouver Chamber CEO Patrick Stafford Smith addresses the media at the Save Transit press conference.
We have a long history of advocacy on North Shore transportation issues. Since 2016, the North Vancouver Chamber and associated leadership group Economic Partnership North Vancouver have led the call for action to reduce traffic congestion and efficiently connect workers from across Metro Vancouver to employers in our community.
Last fall we joined the call for a Metrotown–Park Royal BRT line and hosted a panel discussion with North Shore Connects partners, TransLink, and Quay North Urban Development. Businesses of all sizes and industries attended the event and vocalized their support for the Metrotown–Park Royal BRT as it will support staff retention, movement of goods, and more.
We continue to urge our provincial and federal leaders to recognize the critical role that public transit plays in our community and to provide the necessary funding to keep it strong.
We must act now to ensure our transit system remains strong, so as not to risk the vibrancy & diversity, innovation, and economic growth that our businesses bring to this wonderful community.
Learn more and how you can show your support at accessforeveryone.ca
North Vancouver Chamber CEO with Jessica Arbour, director of local business, Ashdale Gallery.
Media Coverage
- North Shore News: TransLink Mayors’ Council warns that service cuts may come soon if the funding model for Metro Vancouver transit remains the same
- CityNews: North Vancouver mayors join calls for increased transit spending ahead of election
- CBC: North Vancouver on transit
- North Shore News: TransLink warns of huge public transport cuts unless ‘$600m funding gap’ is addressed
- Vancouver Sun: TransLink warns half of transit services could be cut without more funding
TransLink Report on Potential Transit Impacts
- TransLink: Half of transit services cut without new funding model
- TransLink: Corporate cost-cutting plan to address funding gap
NV Chamber Transit / Transportation Federal & Provincial Advocacy:
