FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (September 3nd, 2014)
Central Saanich Council and Langford Council passed motions on September 2nd, 2014 to put a non-binding question on the ballot in the November 2014 municipal election.
The motions by Central Saanich were:
- That the District of Central Saanich place a non-binding referendum question on the November 2014 ballot asking residents if the District of Central Saanich should petition the Province to fund a cost/benefit analysis of an amalgamation of Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney; and further that correspondence be forwarded to the municipalities of North Saanich and Sidney advising them of the same
- A second motion was passed to expend up to $4800.00 for printing of ballots and to place print ads to formally advise the residents of the District that the question will be on the November 2014 ballot.
- In January 2014 Langford Council had passed a motion to put a question on the ballot regarding amalgamation on the condition that 75% of the other municipalities agreed to put on a similar question on the ballot. On September 2nd they passed a motion to remove the condition from the motion.
“We are pleased to see that Central Saanich and Langford have listened to the public and have agreed to place a question on the ballot. This shows leadership and recognition of the democratic right of the electorate to determine how they wish to be governed, said John Vickers spokesperson for AmalgamationYes.
Central Saanich and Langford will be joining Victoria in placing a question on the ballot. Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen said they would ask a question if the other municipalities did. Esquimalt has the matter under consideration.
“We are calling on Oak Bay to follow suit as they have said they would and we urge Saanich, Colwood, Sidney, North Saanich, View Royal, Metchosin, Highlands, Esquimalt and Sooke to show leadership by giving the public the opportunity to vote on this important issue”, said John Vickers.
Amalgamation Yes will continue to encourage all municipalities in the region to put an amalgamation question on the ballot. The non-binding 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.
“The public wants to vote on the matter of amalgamation as evidenced by the recent Angus Reid poll where 89% of those surveyed felt the question should be on the November ballot, by the discussion in the media and in signatures gathered by AmalgamationYes on its petition. We are hopeful that more elected officials will heed the will of the electorate, added John Vickers.
Contact Information:
John Vickers: Amalgamation Yes Vice Chair and Spokesperson, 250-661-5350
www.amalgamationyes.ca