New Westminster will spend up to $20,000 to sell a Yes votes to citizens in the upcoming transportation referendum.

Council recently approved a transportation and transit referendum action plan that promotes voter registration and encourages residents to vote Yes in the referendum on the TransLink Mayors’ Council vision and investment plan.

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“We think it’s in our city’s best interest to promote the yes campaign. The budget that’s been set is $20,000. We think that is a good investment because transportation is so important to New Westminster,” said Mayor Jonathan Cote. “There are over 400,000 vehicles driving through our city. Wee see every single one of our neighbourhoods is impacted.”

As part of the action plan, the city created a Vote Yes New West coalition that will campaign in support of a Yes vote in the referendum.

“We are utilizing our existing resources, whether that be through the City Page, our website, the digital readerboards, our readerboard at Sixth and McBride to communicate the benefits of a Yes vote,” said Blair Fryer, the city’s manager of communications. “In addition to that, council has approved up to $20,000, if required, to supplement our existing resources.”

Fryer said the city is really focusing on its existing resources, such as the utility bill. The next bill going out to citizens will include information on the benefits of a Yes vote and how to register.

“Council has made it a city priority. We haven’t seconded or brought any new staff in, but we are able to accommodate it within our existing workloads,” he said. “This has become a priority and city council wants to make sure residents know the benefits to a yes vote and are fully informed before they cast a vote.”

Part of the city’s plan is to encourage people to vote in the referendum.