FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (November 13, 2015)
Amalgamation Yes expects BC Minister to fulfill government promise for regional governance study
The Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society (Amalgamation Yes) is expecting new Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender to fulfill the commitment made by his predecessor Coralee Oakes when he addresses the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce luncheon this coming week.
Oakes announced after the last municipal election that the Province would proceed with a formal review of local government in the Capital Region.
Minister Fassbender's Chamber address comes near the anniversary of last fall’s non-binding municipal ballot question where 60,000 of 80,000 voters said 'Yes' to various questions addressing a level of amalgamation in the region. Since that time, Premier Christy Clark highlighted new top priorities for the Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ministry, including a review of amalgamation. Her instruction was to “develop and present options to Cabinet on potential processes under which local governments could either amalgamate or integrate service delivery”.
“Our biggest concern is a year has now gone by and other than photo opportunities with many of our 13 mayors by the previous Minister, we have yet to really hear anything concrete from the Ministry”, says John Vickers, spokesperson for Amalgamation Yes. “Combined with his own Ministry’s assurances a review would proceed on the heels of the public having sent a strong message for a regional governance review, we have been patiently waiting for Minister Fassbender to announce his Ministry’s intentions. We expect the Minister’s announcement to be another watershed moment for positive governance over our multitude of vibrant communities.”
“We look forward to hearing him address the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce on November 17 with concrete plans to implement this process,” he added.
Contact Information:
John Vickers
Vice Chair and Spokesperson
Amalgamation Yes
250-661-5350
www.amalgamationyes.ca
Amalgamation Yes expects BC Minister to fulfill government promise for regional governance study
The Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society (Amalgamation Yes) is expecting new Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Peter Fassbender to fulfill the commitment made by his predecessor Coralee Oakes when he addresses the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce luncheon this coming week.
Oakes announced after the last municipal election that the Province would proceed with a formal review of local government in the Capital Region.
Minister Fassbender's Chamber address comes near the anniversary of last fall’s non-binding municipal ballot question where 60,000 of 80,000 voters said 'Yes' to various questions addressing a level of amalgamation in the region. Since that time, Premier Christy Clark highlighted new top priorities for the Community, Sport and Cultural Development Ministry, including a review of amalgamation. Her instruction was to “develop and present options to Cabinet on potential processes under which local governments could either amalgamate or integrate service delivery”.
“Our biggest concern is a year has now gone by and other than photo opportunities with many of our 13 mayors by the previous Minister, we have yet to really hear anything concrete from the Ministry”, says John Vickers, spokesperson for Amalgamation Yes. “Combined with his own Ministry’s assurances a review would proceed on the heels of the public having sent a strong message for a regional governance review, we have been patiently waiting for Minister Fassbender to announce his Ministry’s intentions. We expect the Minister’s announcement to be another watershed moment for positive governance over our multitude of vibrant communities.”
“We look forward to hearing him address the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce on November 17 with concrete plans to implement this process,” he added.
Contact Information:
John Vickers
Vice Chair and Spokesperson
Amalgamation Yes
250-661-5350
www.amalgamationyes.ca
