Clark claim of Evergreen shortfall a 'slip of the tongue'

B.C. Premier Christy Clark's claim that the long-awaited Evergreen rapid transit line is facing a $30-million shortfall was a "slip of the tongue," according to her communications director.

Clark announced Thursday that an audit will be done on TransLink's books to find ways to fill up the budget hole.

"There's still a funding gap for the Evergreen line -- $30 million. We are going to find it through an audit," she told reporters in Port Moody as she kicked off a byelection campaign. "We are not going to find it through a vehicle levy or other sources."

TransLink is facing a $30-million funding shortfall, but does not appear to be related to the long-awaited rapid transit line out to the Tri-Cities.

Sara MacIntyre, the premier's communication director, acknowledged the error Thursday evening.

"I think it was a slip of the tongue, to be honest," she told ctvbc.ca.

She said the premier was talking with reporters about the separate issues of the Evergreen line and the budget shortfall at the time.

"Obviously those two aren't related. The Evergreen is obviously funded," MacIntyre said.

She added that the government hopes the audit will find ways to cover the shortfall without imposing extra costs on taxpayers.

Richard Walton, the chair of the TransLink Mayor's Council, said that the budget gap relates, "entirely to other capital upgrades throughout the region."

The mayors' council has been pushing for an audit, arguing that the public needs to know how their money is being spent before implanting any new taxes, levies or tolls to fund the planned transit upgrades.

Earlier this month, Walton wrote a letter to Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom, arguing that an audit would be necessary to ensure public accountability.

The letter also asked Lekstrom for legislation that would allow for the implementation of a regional carbon tax; additional fuel tax; and vehicle registration fees based on fuel consumption, engine size and emissions. The mayors' council says those new fees could be possible solutions to the funding shortfall, but the province says it will not permit any new taxes or levies.

A TransLink spokeswoman declined Thursday to comment on the proposed audit.

B.C. will be contributing $583 million of the Evergreen line's hefty estimated $1.4-billion cost, while the federal government is contributing $417 million. TransLink will pay the remainder, in part through a two cents-per-litre gas tax increase.