Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does Amalgamation Yes support any particular model of amalgamation? Why or why not?
We believe that the people of Greater Victoria are best able determine how they wish to be organized. That is why we supported the addition of a non-binding referendum question on the municipal ballot. Based on the resounding 75% Yes results of that referendum, municipalities have a mandate to approach the Province to lead and fund an analysis of the feasibility, benefits and costs of various types of service integration. Those studies will provide information and guidance to community members, who would then vote Yes or No in the binding referendum in 2018.
Some local councillors have publicly mused at potential models for consideration. One model proposed aggregating the municipalities into three groupings: Core (urban), Peninsula and Westshore. This idea has some merit. All models need to considered, and presented to the residents. One clear message from voters in 2014 was that the majority believe that 13 is too many.
It is the right of Greater Victorians to give policy direction to their local governments to study various governance models. Amalgamation Yes will continue to push for a democratic processes to achieve that end.
2. Did Amalgamation Yes endorse any candidate(s) in the municipal election, November 15, 2014?
Or in the provincial election May 9, 2017? Will AY endorse any candidate(s) in the upcoming municipal election October 20, 2018?
AY is a non-partisan organization and did not endorse any specific candidate(s)
Leading up to the municipal election an Amalgamation Yes Questionnaire was sent to candidates. Responses to the Questionnaire are included on the 2014 Municipal Election Campaign Archive. Also included on that page is a summary of the candidate positions and quotes on the topic of service integration and amalgamation. This provided voters with information to make informed decisions as to the candidate(s) they wished to support, and information to guide future deliberations.
Likewise, leading up to the provincial election an Amalgamation Yes Questionnaire was also sent to candidates. Responses to the Questionnaire are included on the BC Provincial Election 2017 page.
And leading up to the October 20, 2018 municipal election, Amalgamation Yes again asked candidates for their opinion on local governance issues and published their responses.
3. What happens now that residents in 8 of the 13 municipalities voted on a non-binding question on the ballot? I voted 'Yes' in my municipality, but there seems to be no progress from my mayor and council, or the Province.
The process of getting 13 municipalities to agree on almost any issue continues to be a challenge. However, the Honourable Coralee Oakes, (former) BC Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development issued this statement.
The new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Honourable Selina Robinson, is now charged with respecting the wishes of the people of Greater Victoria
AY is working to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to study region-wide service integration. Residents can help by contacting their municipal council and contacting the Minister to express their views and preferences.
The road to some form of service integration is a long one, and AY will continue to advocate for the democratic right of residents to determine how they are governed.
4. Will amalgamation cost us more, or will it save us money?
Various opinions abound as to the potential for saving money, or of improved service delivery within existing budgets. Others argue that costs will increase. At a minimum, without affecting any services currently being provided by municipalities, there would be significant savings in the elimination of duplicated senior management. For example, each of the 13 municipal chief administrative officers (CAOs) earns between $150,000 - $250,000. Likewise police chiefs, fire chiefs, chief financial officers, and chief engineers are in this salary range. Thus the elimination of dozens of these and other redundant senior management positions easily saves $ millions that could be redeployed to other services. Further savings could also be achieved through optimization of municipal resources and assets.
However, calculations of the potential benefits and costs of any municipal services integration must be carried out under the auspices of the Province. The Community Charter sets out the provision for funding these studies. Until then, various documents in the Research & Studies section of this website provide information on the hidden costs of the disjointed, dysfunctional planning and management of regional infrastructure, policing and emergency dispatch, waste management, transportation, land use and a myriad of other services affecting the everyday lives of Greater Victorians.
5. What about transition costs associated with amalgamating several municipalities?
In addition to providing funds for restructure studies, the Province of BC assists municipalities in the transition costs associated with amalgamating or through the Local Government Grants Restructuring Assistance Program.
Restructure Assistance grants are provided to assist communities that are in favour of incorporation restructure. The grant amount is based on population. Transitional assistance is also provided to help with police costs where the new or restructured municipality has over 5,000 people. A parallel program from the Ministry of Transportation provides transitional assistance to municipalities who assume responsibility for roads.
Restructure Implementation grants are provided to assist communities with the implementation of incorporations, restructures, and significant changes in local service structure, such as interim administration or transfer of improvement districts to local government.
We believe that the people of Greater Victoria are best able determine how they wish to be organized. That is why we supported the addition of a non-binding referendum question on the municipal ballot. Based on the resounding 75% Yes results of that referendum, municipalities have a mandate to approach the Province to lead and fund an analysis of the feasibility, benefits and costs of various types of service integration. Those studies will provide information and guidance to community members, who would then vote Yes or No in the binding referendum in 2018.
Some local councillors have publicly mused at potential models for consideration. One model proposed aggregating the municipalities into three groupings: Core (urban), Peninsula and Westshore. This idea has some merit. All models need to considered, and presented to the residents. One clear message from voters in 2014 was that the majority believe that 13 is too many.
It is the right of Greater Victorians to give policy direction to their local governments to study various governance models. Amalgamation Yes will continue to push for a democratic processes to achieve that end.
2. Did Amalgamation Yes endorse any candidate(s) in the municipal election, November 15, 2014?
Or in the provincial election May 9, 2017? Will AY endorse any candidate(s) in the upcoming municipal election October 20, 2018?
AY is a non-partisan organization and did not endorse any specific candidate(s)
Leading up to the municipal election an Amalgamation Yes Questionnaire was sent to candidates. Responses to the Questionnaire are included on the 2014 Municipal Election Campaign Archive. Also included on that page is a summary of the candidate positions and quotes on the topic of service integration and amalgamation. This provided voters with information to make informed decisions as to the candidate(s) they wished to support, and information to guide future deliberations.
Likewise, leading up to the provincial election an Amalgamation Yes Questionnaire was also sent to candidates. Responses to the Questionnaire are included on the BC Provincial Election 2017 page.
And leading up to the October 20, 2018 municipal election, Amalgamation Yes again asked candidates for their opinion on local governance issues and published their responses.
3. What happens now that residents in 8 of the 13 municipalities voted on a non-binding question on the ballot? I voted 'Yes' in my municipality, but there seems to be no progress from my mayor and council, or the Province.
The process of getting 13 municipalities to agree on almost any issue continues to be a challenge. However, the Honourable Coralee Oakes, (former) BC Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development issued this statement.
The new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Honourable Selina Robinson, is now charged with respecting the wishes of the people of Greater Victoria
AY is working to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to study region-wide service integration. Residents can help by contacting their municipal council and contacting the Minister to express their views and preferences.
The road to some form of service integration is a long one, and AY will continue to advocate for the democratic right of residents to determine how they are governed.
4. Will amalgamation cost us more, or will it save us money?
Various opinions abound as to the potential for saving money, or of improved service delivery within existing budgets. Others argue that costs will increase. At a minimum, without affecting any services currently being provided by municipalities, there would be significant savings in the elimination of duplicated senior management. For example, each of the 13 municipal chief administrative officers (CAOs) earns between $150,000 - $250,000. Likewise police chiefs, fire chiefs, chief financial officers, and chief engineers are in this salary range. Thus the elimination of dozens of these and other redundant senior management positions easily saves $ millions that could be redeployed to other services. Further savings could also be achieved through optimization of municipal resources and assets.
However, calculations of the potential benefits and costs of any municipal services integration must be carried out under the auspices of the Province. The Community Charter sets out the provision for funding these studies. Until then, various documents in the Research & Studies section of this website provide information on the hidden costs of the disjointed, dysfunctional planning and management of regional infrastructure, policing and emergency dispatch, waste management, transportation, land use and a myriad of other services affecting the everyday lives of Greater Victorians.
5. What about transition costs associated with amalgamating several municipalities?
In addition to providing funds for restructure studies, the Province of BC assists municipalities in the transition costs associated with amalgamating or through the Local Government Grants Restructuring Assistance Program.
Restructure Assistance grants are provided to assist communities that are in favour of incorporation restructure. The grant amount is based on population. Transitional assistance is also provided to help with police costs where the new or restructured municipality has over 5,000 people. A parallel program from the Ministry of Transportation provides transitional assistance to municipalities who assume responsibility for roads.
Restructure Implementation grants are provided to assist communities with the implementation of incorporations, restructures, and significant changes in local service structure, such as interim administration or transfer of improvement districts to local government.