Amalgamation

First and foremost, I will respect the outcome of the October 17th referendum. If Saanich voters do not support moving foward with amalgamation, I will firmly oppose amalgamation as a Saanich Councillor.

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A Strong Regional Voice

My personal view is that amalgamation offers an opportunity to achieve better governance and better outcomes for Saanich and the entire region.

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Greater Victoria functions as one interconnected community. Residents routinely cross municipal boundaries for work, school, recreation, health care and shopping. A unified region could allow clearer responsibility for regional decisions, better long-term planning, more consistent services, and a stronger voice to seek provincial and federal funding.

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Essential Protections

I would require that all current safeguards that protect the Urban Containment Boundary, and by extension the essential character of Rural Saanich, be included in the provincial letters patent of a new municipality.

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Evidence Before Action

Amalgamation should not proceed on slogans or unsupported claims of immediate savings. Before any restructuring, residents deserve transparent analysis of associated changes to:

• Taxes, fees, debt, reserves and municipal assets

• Service levels and infrastructure commitments

• Police, fire and emergency services

• Labour agreements, staffing and transitional costs

• Governance, electoral representation and neighbourhood voice

 

Economies of scale may be possible, but should be demonstrated, not assumed.

 

Maintaining Local Identity

All regional governments, current or future, must recognize the distinct needs of urban, suburban and rural communities.

 

Rural Saanich, established neighbourhoods and local community associations must retain meaningful ways to influence decisions.

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