FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (January 26, 2016)
Sewage saga shows dire need for governance study
“If there was ever an issue that clearly exposes the deficiencies of our multi-municipal governance model, then the secondary sewage treatment impasse is clearly it,” said John Vickers, spokesman for Amalgamation Yes.
“Nine years of wrangling and infighting at both the inter and intra municipal level are bringing residents to the brink of financial disaster and politicians are still failing to cooperate and work for the best interests of the region”, he added, noting the $65 million wasted to date and a looming deadline for a sewage site and plan in less than 65 days.
Recent comments from various mayors and councilors in the region highlight the fundamental management problem at the root of every major regional infrastructure project: The Capital Region District is flawed in its governance structure where municipal mayors/councilors are appointed to represent the interests of their municipality, not the region.
“The whole process is fraught with unproductive self-interest rather than a focus on reaching a regional solution,” said Vickers.
Vickers noted that the Province is stalling on its previous commitment to do a governance review of Greater Victoria municipalities, despite the fact that 75% voted Yes for government reform in referenda held in eight municipalities representing 90% of the population.
“Residents were expecting leadership from our Provincial government on this crucial issue, and they are feeling abandoned. Failed projects, like the sewage issue, are costing us millions of wasted dollars, and looming individual property tax increases, upwards of $1,000 annually. Millions of dollars of funding from other levels of government may also be lost. Residents are truly fed-up.”
Contact Information:
John Vickers: AmalgamationYes, Vice Chair and Spokesperson, 250-661-5350
AmalgamationYes
email: amalgamateyes@gmail.com
www.amalgamationyes.ca
Sewage saga shows dire need for governance study
“If there was ever an issue that clearly exposes the deficiencies of our multi-municipal governance model, then the secondary sewage treatment impasse is clearly it,” said John Vickers, spokesman for Amalgamation Yes.
“Nine years of wrangling and infighting at both the inter and intra municipal level are bringing residents to the brink of financial disaster and politicians are still failing to cooperate and work for the best interests of the region”, he added, noting the $65 million wasted to date and a looming deadline for a sewage site and plan in less than 65 days.
Recent comments from various mayors and councilors in the region highlight the fundamental management problem at the root of every major regional infrastructure project: The Capital Region District is flawed in its governance structure where municipal mayors/councilors are appointed to represent the interests of their municipality, not the region.
“The whole process is fraught with unproductive self-interest rather than a focus on reaching a regional solution,” said Vickers.
Vickers noted that the Province is stalling on its previous commitment to do a governance review of Greater Victoria municipalities, despite the fact that 75% voted Yes for government reform in referenda held in eight municipalities representing 90% of the population.
“Residents were expecting leadership from our Provincial government on this crucial issue, and they are feeling abandoned. Failed projects, like the sewage issue, are costing us millions of wasted dollars, and looming individual property tax increases, upwards of $1,000 annually. Millions of dollars of funding from other levels of government may also be lost. Residents are truly fed-up.”
Contact Information:
John Vickers: AmalgamationYes, Vice Chair and Spokesperson, 250-661-5350
AmalgamationYes
email: amalgamateyes@gmail.com
www.amalgamationyes.ca
