Greater Victoria: Unique in so many ways (continued)
It is also unique in that the capital city of the Province of BC with its 4 million residents (12% of the Canadian population) is excluded from the Federal Big City Mayors Caucus because the City Victoria alone doesn't qualify in population to warrant membership in this important group. We are the only provincial capital city west of New Brunswick to be excluded. Instead of advocating for priority (bigger city) regional needs, our 13 municipalities compete with each other for the leftover crumbs at the table.
As for “mechanisms of inter-municipal cooperation”, look no further than the financial waste of $65+ million spent to date (and counting) on the unresolved handling of sewage treatment for an illustration of this farce, all occurring at the CRD level where individual mayors and councillors come to the table to represent their own municipality's best interests and not the region's. This structure is, in itself, both vexing and unique.
The ineffective and unique patchwork of policing regimes has long been criticized by the former BC Solicitors-General Wally Oppal and Kash Heed, former police chief Jamie Graham, and the BC Coroner. Are these expert practitioners not to be believed? And after decades of awareness on the need for appropriate major disaster response, there is still no coordination of this vital service at the regional level.
And tell us why Greater Victorians pay 5+ times per capita for their councils and senior staff? Compare Surrey (pop. 468,000) cost of $2.05 per capita with Greater Victoria (pop. 335,000) cost of $11.67 per capita.
As for my municipality Oak Bay, we have the luxury of and frequent enjoyable use of many downtown amenities, such as the Johnson Street bridge, arena/cultural facilities and special events, without the bother of contributing our fair share towards funding or servicing that infrastructure. We are not unique in that, but share with others in the region the distinction of being free-riders on the backs of City of Victoria residents.
Finally, listen to the business community, which cites municipal restructuring as essential to building the regional economy. The costs incurred by that sector because of inconsistent bylaws and licencing due to multiple municipal jurisdictions are massive.
The electorate have voted 75% against the status quo. The people of Greater Victoria think we can do better. A Provincially-led, unbiased study into our regional governance is necessary and vital, and we remain unconvinced otherwise.
- Lesley Ewing
It is also unique in that the capital city of the Province of BC with its 4 million residents (12% of the Canadian population) is excluded from the Federal Big City Mayors Caucus because the City Victoria alone doesn't qualify in population to warrant membership in this important group. We are the only provincial capital city west of New Brunswick to be excluded. Instead of advocating for priority (bigger city) regional needs, our 13 municipalities compete with each other for the leftover crumbs at the table.
As for “mechanisms of inter-municipal cooperation”, look no further than the financial waste of $65+ million spent to date (and counting) on the unresolved handling of sewage treatment for an illustration of this farce, all occurring at the CRD level where individual mayors and councillors come to the table to represent their own municipality's best interests and not the region's. This structure is, in itself, both vexing and unique.
The ineffective and unique patchwork of policing regimes has long been criticized by the former BC Solicitors-General Wally Oppal and Kash Heed, former police chief Jamie Graham, and the BC Coroner. Are these expert practitioners not to be believed? And after decades of awareness on the need for appropriate major disaster response, there is still no coordination of this vital service at the regional level.
And tell us why Greater Victorians pay 5+ times per capita for their councils and senior staff? Compare Surrey (pop. 468,000) cost of $2.05 per capita with Greater Victoria (pop. 335,000) cost of $11.67 per capita.
As for my municipality Oak Bay, we have the luxury of and frequent enjoyable use of many downtown amenities, such as the Johnson Street bridge, arena/cultural facilities and special events, without the bother of contributing our fair share towards funding or servicing that infrastructure. We are not unique in that, but share with others in the region the distinction of being free-riders on the backs of City of Victoria residents.
Finally, listen to the business community, which cites municipal restructuring as essential to building the regional economy. The costs incurred by that sector because of inconsistent bylaws and licencing due to multiple municipal jurisdictions are massive.
The electorate have voted 75% against the status quo. The people of Greater Victoria think we can do better. A Provincially-led, unbiased study into our regional governance is necessary and vital, and we remain unconvinced otherwise.
- Lesley Ewing
