The Question of Amalgamation and the November Vote

The Question of Amalgamation and the November Vote

This is a pivotal moment of change for the people living in the CRD and their municipal form of governance. When the CRD was established, in 1966, it consisted of seven municipalities with their separate communities and a total population of 182,000. Today the CRD has 13 municipalities and a population of 360,000 all linked together by transportation, business, health, work, education, regional planning and sewage systems etc.

Manly people are questioning whether our present form of municipal governance with 13 separate municipal governments is the best or whether full amalgamation or partial amalgamation would serve the people better? We need a decision on what form of municipal governance is best for the people of the CRD at this time and for the future. To facilitate the people of the CRD make an informed decision for or against whole, partial or no amalgamation there needs to be an independent study of the appropriate forms of governance for the CRD with the results made public including the pros and cons of each one. To enable this study the following question should be included in the November municipality election, "Are you in favour of an independent study to determine the benefits and problems of a full, a partial or no amalgamation of the 13 CRD municipalities and their services?" In our democratic society the people have a right to choose their form of governance. All mayors and councillors who believe in democracy should enthusiastically support having this question included in the November municipal election.

Francis Blundell, 231 Heddle Avenue, Victoria, BC. V9B 1T9,