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The province asked Metro Vancouver if it wanted to spend more money on public transit and the people said "no".

The non-binding plebiscite asked residents if they supported a 0.5-percent increase in sales tax for money that would go towards a plan to improve transportation infrastructure and public transit services throughout the Lower Mainland.

According to results released today (July 2) by Elections B.C., 38.32 percent of people voted in favour of the tax and 61.68-percent voted against it. The turnout for registered voters was 48.64 percent.

The vote was a non-binding plebiscite proposed by the provincial government and conducted via mail-in ballot from March 16 to May 20, 2015.

The plan included a number of infrastructure projects and service improvements for municipalities throughout the region. For Vancouver, there would have been a Broadway subway. Burnaby would have gotten new B-Line routes plus more frequent SkyTrain service. There would have been additional Canada Line cars for Richmond commuters. Surrey and Langley were promised light-rail lines. And North and West Vancouver would have received new B-Lines. The region as a whole would have seen a 25-percent increase in bus service and 2,700 kilometres of enhanced bikeways.



The City of Vancouver voted 49.19 percent in favour of the plan and 50.81 percent against.

Burnaby was 35.06 percent in favour and 64.94 against. Richmond was 27.61 versus 73.39. Surrey was 34.46 for a "yes" and 65.54 for a "no".

Coquitlam 32.78 percent versus 67.22 percent, Port Coquitlam was 32.15 and 67.85, New Westminster was 45.45 and 54.55, Delta was 32.16 and 67.84, White Rock was 40.74 and 59.26, and Langley voted 25.05 in favour of the plan and 74.97 against.

West Vancouver voted 44.11 percent in favour and 55.89 percent against while the District of West Vancouver voted 44.11 "yes" and 55.89 "no". The City of North Vancouver voted 44.92 versus 55.08, and results for the District of North Vancouver were 44.61 versus 55.39.

The only jurisdictions where a majority voted in favour of the tax increase were Bowen Island (61.92 percent), Metro Vancouver Electoral Area A (UBC) (58.57 percent), and the Village of Belcarra (52.15 percent).

The highest "no" votes came from Maple Ridge (77.03 percent), Langley (74.97 percent), Richmond (72.39 percent), and Pitt Meadows (72.16 percent).

Reactions to the vote will come throughout the day.

At 11 a.m., Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner, and Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore will hold a press conference in Burnaby. And TransLink interim CEO Doug Allen is scheduled to speak at Waterfront Station in Vancouver at 12 p.m.