Referendum a chance to know for sure
Times Colonist letters
August 16, 2014
In late July, Angus Reid released the results of a poll on a wide range of issues surrounding municipal government in the capital region. The poll was commissioned by Amalgamation Yes and paid for by three major business groups, frustrated, no doubt, by a lack of action on the growing consensus that something needs to change.
Not surprisingly, one of the poll’s findings is that 90 per cent of those asked agree that having 13 municipalities and 91 mayors and councillors makes no sense; 84 per cent said they favour some form of amalgamation.
The survey also found specifically that 89 per cent of Saanich residents polled favour a non-binding referendum on the topic. Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard has long said that Saanich residents don’t think amalgamation is a burning issue. If he’s so sure it’s not an issue for residents, what’s he afraid of? Why not let the people speak through a referendum?
It’s also been reported that some people have said that the questions in the poll weren’t clear. There’s a simple way to fix that perception — have a referendum with a clear question on the November ballot.
We have an opportunity to get the ball rolling this November. Otherwise, with municipal terms being extended after this election, it will be four years before we get another one.
John Heraghty
Victoria
Times Colonist letters
August 16, 2014
In late July, Angus Reid released the results of a poll on a wide range of issues surrounding municipal government in the capital region. The poll was commissioned by Amalgamation Yes and paid for by three major business groups, frustrated, no doubt, by a lack of action on the growing consensus that something needs to change.
Not surprisingly, one of the poll’s findings is that 90 per cent of those asked agree that having 13 municipalities and 91 mayors and councillors makes no sense; 84 per cent said they favour some form of amalgamation.
The survey also found specifically that 89 per cent of Saanich residents polled favour a non-binding referendum on the topic. Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard has long said that Saanich residents don’t think amalgamation is a burning issue. If he’s so sure it’s not an issue for residents, what’s he afraid of? Why not let the people speak through a referendum?
It’s also been reported that some people have said that the questions in the poll weren’t clear. There’s a simple way to fix that perception — have a referendum with a clear question on the November ballot.
We have an opportunity to get the ball rolling this November. Otherwise, with municipal terms being extended after this election, it will be four years before we get another one.
John Heraghty
Victoria
