Amalgamation questions are still pertinent
Times Colonist
March 29, 2015
Although there were those who questioned the validity of last year’s Angus Reid poll showing overwhelming regional support for amalgamation, the results of November’s election put those questions to rest.
I wish to highlight that while there was much media focus on the specific question of amalgamation in the poll, Angus Reid also asked other amalgamation-related questions that remain pertinent.
Capital Regional District value to taxpayers: 75 per cent fair to poor rating.
• Having CRD is too much government expense: 65 per cent agree, 22 per cent disagree, balance unsure.
• How well municipalities work together: 81 per cent fair to poor rating.
• Number of councils we should have: 47 per cent indicated one to three councils, seven per cent indicated 13.
• Whether current municipal structure makes sense: 90 per cent said it doesn’t.
• Impact on policing: 63 per cent positive, 22 per cent negative, balance unsure.
• Impact on community: 37 per cent positive, 37 per cent negative, balance unsure.
• Impact on public transit: 75 per cent positive, nine per cent negative, balance unsure.
• Cost-sharing for larger municipal projects: 84 per cent agree they should be shared.
• Support for an amalgamation study: 80 per cent agree, 20 per cent disagree.
I hope this serves as a further reminder to our provincial government that the residents of this region want change in how we are governed and that change can’t come soon enough.
John Vickers
Vice chairman, Amalgamation Yes
Victoria
© Copyright Times Colonist
Times Colonist
March 29, 2015
Although there were those who questioned the validity of last year’s Angus Reid poll showing overwhelming regional support for amalgamation, the results of November’s election put those questions to rest.
I wish to highlight that while there was much media focus on the specific question of amalgamation in the poll, Angus Reid also asked other amalgamation-related questions that remain pertinent.
Capital Regional District value to taxpayers: 75 per cent fair to poor rating.
• Having CRD is too much government expense: 65 per cent agree, 22 per cent disagree, balance unsure.
• How well municipalities work together: 81 per cent fair to poor rating.
• Number of councils we should have: 47 per cent indicated one to three councils, seven per cent indicated 13.
• Whether current municipal structure makes sense: 90 per cent said it doesn’t.
• Impact on policing: 63 per cent positive, 22 per cent negative, balance unsure.
• Impact on community: 37 per cent positive, 37 per cent negative, balance unsure.
• Impact on public transit: 75 per cent positive, nine per cent negative, balance unsure.
• Cost-sharing for larger municipal projects: 84 per cent agree they should be shared.
• Support for an amalgamation study: 80 per cent agree, 20 per cent disagree.
I hope this serves as a further reminder to our provincial government that the residents of this region want change in how we are governed and that change can’t come soon enough.
John Vickers
Vice chairman, Amalgamation Yes
Victoria
© Copyright Times Colonist
