British Columbia

Transit referendum critic calls Yes campaign 'vicious & personal'

An outspoken opponent of the proposed Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax says his biggest criticism of the Yes campaign is that it's become "very vicious and personal."

Jordan Bateman says Twitter impersonators using nasty name-calling tactics

Transit Plebiscite | Yes & No campaigns call each other out

10 years ago
Duration 1:41
Peter Ladner, supporter of the proposed 0.5% transit tax, says the No-campaign is short-sighted. Jordan Bateman, opponent of the transit tax, says the Yes-campaign is getting "vicious and personal."

An outspoken opponent of the proposed Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax says his biggest criticism of the Yes campaign is that it's become "very vicious and personal."

"Search for my name on Twitter. I've got two impersonators now. They are very nasty and name-calling. I don't think that helps anyone," said No TransLink Tax spokesperson Jordan Bateman in a one-on-one interview with CBC host Andrew Chang on Monday.

Bateman is perhaps the loudest critic of the new 0.5 per cent sales tax that — if approved by plebiscite — would help fund the Mayors' Council's $7.5 billion, 10-year transit and transportation plan.

Meanwhile, the Yes campaign's Peter Ladner has a very different criticism of his opponents.

"I would say be a little more thoughtful, think on the bigger picture, think about the future of our region, think about the future of your kids, think about our air quality, think about our congestion, think about our transportation options and our economy," said Ladner.

Click on the video above to find out what other criticisms Bateman and Ladner have for their opposing campaigns.