FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (November 16th, 2016)
Amalgamation Yes asks “Is anyone listening?”
Integration study not enough!
Province continues to ignore election results, while latest surveys show over 70% support for amalgamation study
The public is once again telling politicians to get on with an amalgamation study in the region (Times Colonist polls, November 15 and 16). But local governments and the Province seem to be turning a deaf ear.
The Province of BC, through its Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative project, has posted a survey for the public to complete; this survey makes clear that the project is only seeking input on more integration and bypassing the public’s request for a study on amalgamation.
“In the 2014 municipal election the public will was clear—study amalgamation for this region. This continues to be confirmed in survey after survey, yet the Province refuses to study amalgamation,” stated John Vickers spokesperson for Amalgamation Yes. “How long must we wait before the Province listens to the will of the public and gets on with a study?”
Election and survey results:
The CRD currently facilitates 155 different Integrated Service Delivery agreements (ISDs), of which 87 concern only the unorganized electoral areas. Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) of the 13 municipalities have created various additional protocol agreement efforts – a mind-boggling 201 agreements involving combinations of local authorities coming together to create even more ISDs. The combined total of ISDs is over 350.
In 2015, Premier Christy Clark highlighted new priorities for Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, including a review that included amalgamation. Her instruction was to “develop and present options to Cabinet on potential processes under which local governments could either amalgamate or integrate service delivery”.
Amalgamation Yes continues to advocate for a comprehensive governance study in Greater Victoria to fulfill the mandate provided by the electorate in 2014.
Contact Information:
John Vickers: Vice Chair and Spokesperson,
AmalgamationYes 250-661-5350
www.amalgamationyes.ca
Amalgamation Yes asks “Is anyone listening?”
Integration study not enough!
Province continues to ignore election results, while latest surveys show over 70% support for amalgamation study
The public is once again telling politicians to get on with an amalgamation study in the region (Times Colonist polls, November 15 and 16). But local governments and the Province seem to be turning a deaf ear.
The Province of BC, through its Capital Integrated Services and Governance Initiative project, has posted a survey for the public to complete; this survey makes clear that the project is only seeking input on more integration and bypassing the public’s request for a study on amalgamation.
“In the 2014 municipal election the public will was clear—study amalgamation for this region. This continues to be confirmed in survey after survey, yet the Province refuses to study amalgamation,” stated John Vickers spokesperson for Amalgamation Yes. “How long must we wait before the Province listens to the will of the public and gets on with a study?”
Election and survey results:
- In the November 2014 municipal election, 75% of the 80,000 who cast their ballots in the municipalities that had questions voted in favour of some form of study.
- In a July 2014 Angus Reid poll approximately 90% favoured a study into reducing the number of municipalities in the Capital Region (84% favoured amalgamation).
- Many surveys conducted by the media have been in favor of a study, including this week’s Times Colonist results that show 76% in Victoria and 71% in Saanich believe the Province should review amalgamation (Oraclepoli Research)
- The annual Victoria Foundation survey again includes amalgamation as a priority.
The CRD currently facilitates 155 different Integrated Service Delivery agreements (ISDs), of which 87 concern only the unorganized electoral areas. Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) of the 13 municipalities have created various additional protocol agreement efforts – a mind-boggling 201 agreements involving combinations of local authorities coming together to create even more ISDs. The combined total of ISDs is over 350.
In 2015, Premier Christy Clark highlighted new priorities for Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, including a review that included amalgamation. Her instruction was to “develop and present options to Cabinet on potential processes under which local governments could either amalgamate or integrate service delivery”.
Amalgamation Yes continues to advocate for a comprehensive governance study in Greater Victoria to fulfill the mandate provided by the electorate in 2014.
Contact Information:
John Vickers: Vice Chair and Spokesperson,
AmalgamationYes 250-661-5350
www.amalgamationyes.ca
