BC asked to force poll on municipal mergers
Times Colonist
June 14, 2014
Five months ahead of municipal elections, a group advocating for the inclusion of a question about amalgamation on the ballot is hoping a higher power will intervene.
Members of Amalgamation Yes have asked Community Minister Coralee Oakes to require that a non-binding referendum on the issue be included on the ballots of capital region voters this November.
“We’re hoping, No. 1, that they would step in and put it on all the ballots, and No. 2, that it would be some kind of formalized question,” said Amalgamation Yes spokesman John Vickers.
The non-partisan organization does not support a particular model of amalgamation, but says “the current fragmented local governance model, consisting of 13 separate municipalities, is not the most effective means of governing the region.”
It has collected thousands of signatures in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in the capital region.
But the movement experienced a loss last week when Colwood — one of only two municipalities that had announced plans to include a question on its ballot — backed out.
In June 2013, Colwood council voted in support of putting a non-binding question on the upcoming ballot on Nov. 15. However, after a call for residents to participate in a focus group to design the question met with a dismal response — only two residents and one Colwood worker volunteered — council voted to rescind the resolution.
“We just didn’t get the engagement — it was quite surprising, actually,” said Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton. “Our take-away is that we will continue to work on finding ways to collaborate with neighbouring municipalities.”
It doesn’t mean the issue can’t come up again for future discussion, she said. “If we hear more directly from the public, we’d be happy to bring it back and start that working group.”
Mayors of Oak Bay, Metchosin, North Saanich, Sidney, Sooke and the Highlands have also said they aren’t planning on a referendum. Most echoed Hamilton, saying their constituents hadn’t expressed interest in the issue.
As mayor of the lone municipality committed to the ballot question, Victoria’s Dean Fortin, said it was an easy decision.
“Why would we not take the opportunity to consult with our citizens and residents? I’m not sure why the rest of the region is reluctant. You don’t need to be for or against it, but it’s an opportunity for a direct democratic response,” Fortin said.
In Saanich, Vickers said, he has been frustrated by a bylaw that prevents Amalgamation Yes from presenting to council.
“We’ve got more signatures from Saanich than any other municipality,” Vickers said.
Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard said in an email that the materials from the group had been circulated to council members, but no action has been taken since no councillor has made such a request.
Amalgamation Yes hopes to build steam as the election approaches. The challenge will be mobilizing residents around an issue that most don’t see as urgent.
“Amalgamation isn’t like, ‘The bridge broke and needs to be fixed tomorrow,’ ” Vickers said.
“So that’s been the struggle for us.”
Meanwhile, the province likely won’t move without input from municipalities.
“Municipal amalgamation is voluntary in British Columbia; the province will not impose an amalgamation process on unwilling municipalities,” the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development said in a statement, adding that it has not heard from capital region municipalities on the issue.
[email protected]
WILL AMALGAMATION BE ON THE BALLOT?
• Central Saanich: No
Defeated a motion on the question in December, but will review a letter from Amalgamation Yes at a council meeting Monday.
• Colwood: No
• Esquimalt: Undecided*
• Highlands: No*
• Langford: Undecided*
Amalgamation Yes made a presentation to the finance committee last week.
• Metchosin: No
• North Saanich: No
• Oak Bay: No
• Saanich: No
• Sidney: No
• Sooke: No
• Victoria: Yes
• View Royal: Undecided
The subject is expected to be addressed at the July 8 committee of the whole meeting. The View Royal Community Association has invited Amalgamation Yes to speak at an open house on June 21.
*Mayor could not be reached for comment. Information provided by Amalgamation Yes.
© Copyright Times Colonist
Times Colonist
June 14, 2014
Five months ahead of municipal elections, a group advocating for the inclusion of a question about amalgamation on the ballot is hoping a higher power will intervene.
Members of Amalgamation Yes have asked Community Minister Coralee Oakes to require that a non-binding referendum on the issue be included on the ballots of capital region voters this November.
“We’re hoping, No. 1, that they would step in and put it on all the ballots, and No. 2, that it would be some kind of formalized question,” said Amalgamation Yes spokesman John Vickers.
The non-partisan organization does not support a particular model of amalgamation, but says “the current fragmented local governance model, consisting of 13 separate municipalities, is not the most effective means of governing the region.”
It has collected thousands of signatures in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in the capital region.
But the movement experienced a loss last week when Colwood — one of only two municipalities that had announced plans to include a question on its ballot — backed out.
In June 2013, Colwood council voted in support of putting a non-binding question on the upcoming ballot on Nov. 15. However, after a call for residents to participate in a focus group to design the question met with a dismal response — only two residents and one Colwood worker volunteered — council voted to rescind the resolution.
“We just didn’t get the engagement — it was quite surprising, actually,” said Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton. “Our take-away is that we will continue to work on finding ways to collaborate with neighbouring municipalities.”
It doesn’t mean the issue can’t come up again for future discussion, she said. “If we hear more directly from the public, we’d be happy to bring it back and start that working group.”
Mayors of Oak Bay, Metchosin, North Saanich, Sidney, Sooke and the Highlands have also said they aren’t planning on a referendum. Most echoed Hamilton, saying their constituents hadn’t expressed interest in the issue.
As mayor of the lone municipality committed to the ballot question, Victoria’s Dean Fortin, said it was an easy decision.
“Why would we not take the opportunity to consult with our citizens and residents? I’m not sure why the rest of the region is reluctant. You don’t need to be for or against it, but it’s an opportunity for a direct democratic response,” Fortin said.
In Saanich, Vickers said, he has been frustrated by a bylaw that prevents Amalgamation Yes from presenting to council.
“We’ve got more signatures from Saanich than any other municipality,” Vickers said.
Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard said in an email that the materials from the group had been circulated to council members, but no action has been taken since no councillor has made such a request.
Amalgamation Yes hopes to build steam as the election approaches. The challenge will be mobilizing residents around an issue that most don’t see as urgent.
“Amalgamation isn’t like, ‘The bridge broke and needs to be fixed tomorrow,’ ” Vickers said.
“So that’s been the struggle for us.”
Meanwhile, the province likely won’t move without input from municipalities.
“Municipal amalgamation is voluntary in British Columbia; the province will not impose an amalgamation process on unwilling municipalities,” the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development said in a statement, adding that it has not heard from capital region municipalities on the issue.
[email protected]
WILL AMALGAMATION BE ON THE BALLOT?
• Central Saanich: No
Defeated a motion on the question in December, but will review a letter from Amalgamation Yes at a council meeting Monday.
• Colwood: No
• Esquimalt: Undecided*
• Highlands: No*
• Langford: Undecided*
Amalgamation Yes made a presentation to the finance committee last week.
• Metchosin: No
• North Saanich: No
• Oak Bay: No
• Saanich: No
• Sidney: No
• Sooke: No
• Victoria: Yes
• View Royal: Undecided
The subject is expected to be addressed at the July 8 committee of the whole meeting. The View Royal Community Association has invited Amalgamation Yes to speak at an open house on June 21.
*Mayor could not be reached for comment. Information provided by Amalgamation Yes.
© Copyright Times Colonist