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Saanich and Victoria: You did it!
You voted in favour of a citizens' assembly to study unifying the two largest municipalities in Greater Victoria.
Victoria voted: 66% YES
Saanich voted: 56% YES
You voted in favour of a citizens' assembly to study unifying the two largest municipalities in Greater Victoria.
Victoria voted: 66% YES
Saanich voted: 56% YES
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Kudos to the Councils of the City of Victoria and District of Saanich in their recent approval(s)of a common question to be placed on the October 20, 2018 municipal election ballot:
“Are you in favour of spending up to $250,000 for establishing a Citizens Assembly to explore the costs, benefits and disadvantages of the amalgamation between the District of Saanich and City of Victoria?”
Amalgamation Yes views this development as very positive, as this is the first time that residents of the (largest) municipalities in Greater Victoria have been asked to officially weight in on whether they should consider merging or not. The common question(s) are far more specific than those asked in 2014, hence will give both councils clear public direction to either proceed with a Citizens Assembly on amalgamation or not. Each question must pass by a simple majority or the initiative fails. Ultimately, these are opinion questions that will potentially lead to an unbiased study.
Thank you for the thoughtful deliberations made by council members of both municipalities and the reaffirmation to the residents of each municipality that their local government is listening!
“Are you in favour of spending up to $250,000 for establishing a Citizens Assembly to explore the costs, benefits and disadvantages of the amalgamation between the District of Saanich and City of Victoria?”
Amalgamation Yes views this development as very positive, as this is the first time that residents of the (largest) municipalities in Greater Victoria have been asked to officially weight in on whether they should consider merging or not. The common question(s) are far more specific than those asked in 2014, hence will give both councils clear public direction to either proceed with a Citizens Assembly on amalgamation or not. Each question must pass by a simple majority or the initiative fails. Ultimately, these are opinion questions that will potentially lead to an unbiased study.
Thank you for the thoughtful deliberations made by council members of both municipalities and the reaffirmation to the residents of each municipality that their local government is listening!
Watch the Victoria - Saanich joint Committee of the Whole meeting, June 26, 2018, when agreement was made to formulate a common question on the creation of a Citizens' Assembly.
Follow this initiative here: Victoria - Saanich Citizens' Assembly
Follow this initiative here: Victoria - Saanich Citizens' Assembly
What is a Citizens’ Assembly?
A Citizens’ Assembly is a representative body of citizens tasked by a government to study, deliberate, and develop recommendations on a specific issue. Typically, a large number of invitations are mass mailed to randomly selected residents by Canada Post, residents are invited to apply to sit as members of a Citizens’ Assembly to work on behalf of their community for a period of several weeks or months. In the case of Saanich and Victoria, the number of members on the Assembly will be weighted to correspond to the population of each municipality (Saanich will have more members on the Assembly than Victoria). The Assembly will also be representative of the community-at-large; by age groups, gender and with First Nations participants. The Assembly’s recommendations are generally developed by consensus and are intended to represent the best interests of the community.
A Citizens’ Assembly is a representative body of citizens tasked by a government to study, deliberate, and develop recommendations on a specific issue. Typically, a large number of invitations are mass mailed to randomly selected residents by Canada Post, residents are invited to apply to sit as members of a Citizens’ Assembly to work on behalf of their community for a period of several weeks or months. In the case of Saanich and Victoria, the number of members on the Assembly will be weighted to correspond to the population of each municipality (Saanich will have more members on the Assembly than Victoria). The Assembly will also be representative of the community-at-large; by age groups, gender and with First Nations participants. The Assembly’s recommendations are generally developed by consensus and are intended to represent the best interests of the community.
Watch the Core Town Hall video, April 25, 2018
Read: A City Divided, Together we are stronger
April 12, 2018, CFAX interview: Shellie Gudgeon, Chair of Amalgamation Yes, discusses the Saanich - Victoria initiative of a citizens' assembly on amalgamation (22 min.)
BC Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Selina Robinson, responds to joint City of Victoria and District of Saanich request for citizens' assembly
Saanich Peninsula Town Hall, March 3, 2018, Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney, BC
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Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing releases CISGI report
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing response to inquiry on Greater Victoria amalgamation below. Are you satisfied with this response?
The NDP promised an in-depth amalgamation review prior to the May election. Write to your MLA and Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs and insist that the democratic will of the people of Greater Victoria be acted upon.
The NDP promised an in-depth amalgamation review prior to the May election. Write to your MLA and Josie Osborne, Minister of Municipal Affairs and insist that the democratic will of the people of Greater Victoria be acted upon.
WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL SITE OF AMALGAMATION YES
- Almost 4 years have passed since Greater Victoria residents voted 75% for change to the status quo of governance in our region.
- What is your local council doing to implement the democratic will of the electorate?
- When will the Province of BC undertake the promised governance review?
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REGISTER YOUR OPINION: ONGOING POLL
This online poll has been running for 5 years. "Are you in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in the Capital Region through amalgamation?" Results as at February 2, 2020: YES: 87% No: 13% |
PROGRESS TOWARDS CITIZEN-LED CHOICE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
75% voted YES to a non-binding referendum question in the November 2014 municipal elections. Immediately after the election, the Honourable Coralee Oakes, BC Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, issued the following statement, and subsequently committed to a Provincially-funded amalgamation study. Premier Christy Clark also voiced her support for the referendum results and reforming our local government. Read more.
The NDP, elected May 2017, made a commitment for a governance study.
Chronology of Significant Events -- a progress report.
Keep in touch by visiting this website often for news and progress updates and by signing up for membership and newsletters. Stay on top of all the media articles dealing with amalgamation.
The Amalgamation Yes initiative could not have succeeded without the incredible support of thousands and thousands of Greater Victorians. The momentum for change is fully underway, and we look forward to many positive developments over the coming months.
The Amalgamation Yes initiative could not have succeeded without the incredible support of thousands and thousands of Greater Victorians. The momentum for change is fully underway, and we look forward to many positive developments over the coming months.