Stop Amalgamation of Victoria and Saanich
Next year, the City of Victoria and District of Saanich will hold a referendum asking voters whether the two municipalities should amalgamate (merge) into one municipality. We want to hear why you are opposed to amalgamation, and will share what we've learned about other amalgamations in recent Canadian history.
Join the No side, voice your concerns, and help organize the campaign to keep Victoria and Saanich together, as great neighbours.
Subscribe to the "Vote NO" e-mail list here.
Muncipal Amalgamation in Canada has a dismal history:
- Toronto was forced (by the Conservative provincial government) to amalgamate with its suburbs in 1998, despite a referendum with a 75% NO vote a year earlier. The result of amalgamation has been more conservative city councils, and has handcuffed decision making particularly in the core where a plurality of suburban voters have persistently opposed new housing and transit solutions for urban residents. Amalgamation gave us Rob Ford, and then Doug Ford, and has left Toronto unable to move forward with clear direction.
Read more: https://www.newgeography.com/content/001890-toronto-election-highlights-failure-amalgamation
And more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/sixplexes-toronto-approved-9-wards-1.7571079 - Ottawa amalgamated a region larger than Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal in 2001. It has deep challenges managing suburban, rural, and urban issues, with the core consistently being out-voted by the suburbs.
Read more: https://glebereport.ca/articles/what-amalgamation-did/
And more... https://leveller.ca/2023/02/stuck-with-the-suburbs-how-amalgamation-handcuffs-progress-in-ottawas-downtown/ - Halifax amalgamated into a regional municipality in 1996. Its municipal government is currently removing bike lanes and stopping denser housing development. Its proposed 2025 municipal development plan was rejected by the provincial government for not doing enough on housing.
Read more: https://thebeens.substack.com/p/the-crime-of-halifax-how-a-city-government
A Vote against Amalgamation is a Vote for Stronger Communities
- Support local decision-making and strong communities
- Reject the high cost of merging two different organizations
- Decentralized decisions: more affordable housing, better transit options, and more prudent financial management
- Learn lessons from failed amalgamation of other Canadian cities
- Strengthen shared services through the Capital Regional District and Regional Transit Commission
