Follow us on  Twitter or Contact Us
AMALGAMATION YES
  • Home
  • Research & Studies
    • Research & Studies
    • Saanich - Victoria Citizens' Assembly
    • Duncan - N. Cowichan Amalgamation
    • Politics >
      • Provincial Capital City Comparisons
      • Big City Mayors' Caucus
      • Integrated Service Delivery (ISD)
      • CRD inventory
      • Understanding the CRD - How decisions are made
      • How is the CRD Board Chair selected?
      • Postcards from London: a few lessons we could learn
      • Candidate Quotes, 2013 Prov. Election
      • CRD Weighted Voting
      • Halifax Central Library
    • Municipal Services >
      • 2016 CRD - Unequal Representation
      • CRD - MVRD Comparison
      • 91 Elected Municipal Officials CRD renumeration in 2013
      • Municipal Councilor Member Expenses
      • Municipal Service Matrix
      • Disaster Response & Emergency Management Plans
      • 9-1-1 Service
      • E & N rail summary
    • Maps & Populations
    • Polls
  • About Us
    • Mission & Founders
    • Board of Directors
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
    • Annual General Meeting 2020
    • Annual General Meeting 2019
    • Annual General Meeting 2018
    • Annual General Meeting 2017
    • Annual General Meeting 2016
    • Annual General Meeting 2015
    • Annual General Meeting 2014
    • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
    • Memberships & Donations
    • Volunteer
    • Keep in Touch & Comment
    • Contact your municipal council and media
    • Letters
  • Events & Media
    • Media Articles
    • AY Press Releases
    • BC Provincial election 2020
    • Victoria By-Election 2020
    • Municipal Election 2018
    • View Royal By-Election, 2017
    • Saanich By-Election 2017
    • BC Provincial election 2017
    • Municipal Election 2014
    • AY Events, News
  • Gallery
    • Abundance of Appointments
    • Bizarre Borders
    • Cacophony of Councils
    • Farrago of Fire Depts.
    • Heaps of Halls
    • Meet the Minister & MLAs
    • Multiplicity of Municipalities
    • Plethora of Police Depts.
    • Proliferation of Politicians
    • Travails of Transportation
    • Warren of Works Depts.
  • Blog
Saanich, Oak Bay take amalgamation talks slowly

Times Colonist
May 27, 2015


Saanich is taking a wait-and-see approach on amalgamation, while Oak Bay wants to have all the players at the table before making any decisions.

With the provincial government about to launch a study of amalgamation in the capital region, Saanich and Oak Bay were asked to consider sending a letter expressing willingness to participate.

Oak Bay deferred consideration of the question because Coun. Tara Ney is out of the country, Mayor Nils Jensen said.

“It’s a tradition that we have: If it’s something important, we want to run with all seven [council members present],” Jensen said.

In Saanich, councillors decided to write Community Minister Coralee Oakes indicating their willingness to participate, at least in principle. But before they agree in practice, they want more information — and to hear from residents.

Eight municipalities held votes on amalgamation during local elections in November.

Questions varied, but a majority of voters in seven municipalities — Langford, Saanich, Victoria, Esquimalt, Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney — supported further study or movement toward amalgamation. Only Oak Bay voters rejected it.

Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, Highlands and Sooke did not put a question on the ballot.

Even though more than 88 per cent of Saanich residents who voted ticked “Yes,” council is unsure how to proceed, said Saanich Coun. Colin Plant, since the ballot question didn’t use the word amalgamation, but instead asked about governance and partnerships.

Nevertheless, Plant said anyone interested in the amalgamation issue can take some satisfaction that movement has occurred — even if it’s only a small budge.

“Saying they actually agree in principle is a major step for this council based on the question posed back in November,” he said.

Jensen said he also believes it would be premature to ask for an amalgamation study without first seeing what is being proposed.

“Until we know what’s going to be studied and how it’s going to be conducted and the terms of reference, how could we say that we want to be involved?”



© Copyright Times Colonist
- See more at: http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/saanich-oak-bay-take-amalgamation-talks-slowly-1.1948033#sthash.s1kgP4L9.dpuf
Donate
Problems with the website? Email us
Copyright,
​ Capital Region Municipal Amalgamation Society
​1860 Greatford Place,
Victoria, BC, V8R 6M8.
Registered under the  BC Local Elections Campaign Financing Act

8SITE MAP 
Updated  April 16, 2022