FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (January 27nd, 2014)
Amalgamation Yes Releases Assessment Report
Mayors and councils receive report outlining reasons why residents deserve a non-binding vote on issue
The Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society (Amalgamation Yes) has distributed an amalgamation report to both the provincial government and area municipalities which it hopes will extend further momentum to efforts supporting a non-binding ballot referendum in this fall’s municipal elections.
The report covers a range to topics including:
The report points out the significant variation in numbers of elected officials for cities: Toronto 2.7 million population has 45 elected officials; Calgary 1 million, has 15; Winnipeg 660k, has16; Surrey 482k, 9 and greater Victoria 350k, 91.
Society secretary Earle Anthony said: “This document will provide a basis for our ongoing discussions with the Ministry, municipal leaders in the region, and the general public.”
“We hope that this report will extend Mayors and Councils substantial reasons to consider amalgamation as an option worthy of more study and we hope they have the courage to allow the electorate the right to vote on this issue in the November election,” he added.
The non-binging question proposed by AmalgamationYes is “Are you in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in the Capital Regional District through amalgamation?” A positive result would motivate the Province of BC to commission an expert study to compare various municipal amalgamation models against the status quo and trigger community engagement about how we wish to be governed.
Contact Information:
Susan Jones: Amalgamation Yes Chair, 250-217-5340
Earle Anthony: Amalgamation Yes Secretary and Spokesperson, 250-592-4831
Amalgamation Yes Releases Assessment Report
Mayors and councils receive report outlining reasons why residents deserve a non-binding vote on issue
The Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society (Amalgamation Yes) has distributed an amalgamation report to both the provincial government and area municipalities which it hopes will extend further momentum to efforts supporting a non-binding ballot referendum in this fall’s municipal elections.
The report covers a range to topics including:
- Police, fire protection and emergency services
- Transportation coordination and development
- Homelessness initiatives
- Reduction in duplication of municipal services for planning, bylaws, etc
- Development and maintenance of parks, recreational and cultural facilities
- Sewage treatment
- Meaningless municipal boundaries
- Nuisance wildlife
- Financial issues such as
- Increased requirement for infrastructure funding without a unified voice
- Duplication of municipal administrations and their costs
- Substantial municipal debt supporting distinct infrastructures
- Significant municipal tax rates
- Municipal requirements to fund additional services without sufficient revenue
- Increased requirement for infrastructure funding without a unified voice
- Governance
The report points out the significant variation in numbers of elected officials for cities: Toronto 2.7 million population has 45 elected officials; Calgary 1 million, has 15; Winnipeg 660k, has16; Surrey 482k, 9 and greater Victoria 350k, 91.
Society secretary Earle Anthony said: “This document will provide a basis for our ongoing discussions with the Ministry, municipal leaders in the region, and the general public.”
“We hope that this report will extend Mayors and Councils substantial reasons to consider amalgamation as an option worthy of more study and we hope they have the courage to allow the electorate the right to vote on this issue in the November election,” he added.
The non-binging question proposed by AmalgamationYes is “Are you in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in the Capital Regional District through amalgamation?” A positive result would motivate the Province of BC to commission an expert study to compare various municipal amalgamation models against the status quo and trigger community engagement about how we wish to be governed.
Contact Information:
Susan Jones: Amalgamation Yes Chair, 250-217-5340
Earle Anthony: Amalgamation Yes Secretary and Spokesperson, 250-592-4831
