“We're so grateful for the opportunity to put our ideas into practice. The MPPGA program has consistently pushed us to think beyond the technical aspects of policy — to consider how we communicate, who our audience is, and how to make our work matter in the real world.”
MPPGA students Kiran Nahal, Khadija Rana, and Jasleen Kaur Johal-Takhar took home the Judge’s Choice Award at Movement YVR’s Transit’s Next Top Funding Model Pitch, held on November 14 at SFU Surrey. The competition brought together eight teams to propose innovative and feasible funding tools for TransLink amid ongoing regional transit financing challenges.
Their winning proposal recommended introducing a Metro Vancouver sales tax of 0.5–1% on luxury goods, modeled after GST/PST frameworks, as a sustainable revenue stream to support long-term transit operations and expansion. Their pitch resonated with both attendees and panelists, earning them the highest audience vote.
“This competition gave us the chance to tackle a real, ongoing policy issue in Metro Vancouver, and we are so incredibly grateful to Movement YVR for organizing this event and allowing us to take part. Our team name, “The MPPGA Commuters for Equity,” reflected how our program has given us the confidence and tools to take on policy issues in real-world situations. Throughout our classes, we are encouraged to think beyond the technical aspects and to consider the impact, emphasizing that great policy work means nothing if you can't communicate it effectively.”
The event drew significant regional attention, with media outlets highlighting emerging debates on future TransLink funding models. The Daily Hive Urbanized featured their win in a published piece on November 17, 2025.
The students shared that participating in Movement YVR’s challenge was an invaluable opportunity to apply policy analysis, economic modeling, and public communication skills to real-world transportation issues facing Metro Vancouver.
