Vancouver - Health Officials: Yes vote on transit tax will save lives

Dr. Victoria Lee, interim head at Fraser Health, revealed the medical benefits of improved transportation while speaking Thursday in support of the proposed 0.5 per cent increase in the provincial sales tax to raise $250 million annually to improve public transit. “A preliminary analysis of that study showed that those in the Lower Mainland that are using active transportation — such as walking, biking or using transit — actually have 36 per cent lower odds of being obsese than those using cars,” said Lee, noting that obesity can lead to a variety of disorders like diabetes and heart disease. Read more.