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
Vote on amalgamation would cost very little

Times Colonist 
August 9, 2014

The recently released poll of more than 400 Greater Victoria residents indicated a high degree of public support for a non-binding vote on municipal amalgamation. A non-binding vote would lead to a study of amalgamation possibilities. The cost of a vote would be minimal if it was held in conjunction with the upcoming municipal elections.

Why are a majority of council members outside Victoria opposed to asking the question suggested by Amalgamation Yes? If the status quo (13 municipalities) provides the public with the most effective governance possible, it should stand up to scrutiny and comparison with other municipal models.

Even those who oppose any form of amalgamation should welcome an opportunity to find out where the majority of voters in the region stand on this issue. That is how democracy is supposed to work.

People running for council positions could take a position on the question during the municipal campaigns. One reason why the majority of current council members might not want to ask this question is that they fear the answer.

As to the costs of placing the question on ballots — there are costs for democracy; this would be a minor expenditure to finally gauge where the public stands on this issue.

If a question is asked and fails in some municipalities, then the issue will have been dealt with in those municipalities. Where it passes, the public can expect an investigation and a report upon which an informed decision can be made on how best to govern Greater Victoria.  

Colin Nielsen
Victoria


© Copyright Times Colonist


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