A referendum this fall will ask residents whether they support the creation of a regional forum that will study the pros and cons of amalgamation.

The referendum will not ask residents whether they support amalgamation itself B次元官网网址� merely test public support for a citizensB次元官网网址� assembly to study the issue.

But the wording of the question approved Tuesday currently leaves out a crucial detail B次元官网网址� the cost of such a forum.

However, the pending addition of the figure to the question will cause the referendum to fail, says Shellie Gudgeon, a former Victoria councillor and currently the chair of Amalgamation Yes.

B次元官网网址淰ery disappointed,B次元官网网址� she said, when asked about an estimated cost being included in the question. B次元官网网址淚t [the referendum] is destined to fail unless there is a massive effort launched to inform the public that this is tiny fraction of their respective budgets,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he cost of this effort is negligible but it will not appear so to the public concerned about their taxes.B次元官网网址�

Saanich and Victoria councils drafted the question at their historic meeting Tuesday, approving the following words for a referendum this fall: B次元官网网址淎re you in favour of spending [an amount to be determined] for establishing a CitizensB次元官网网址� Assembly to explore the costs, benefits and disadvantages of the amalgamation between the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria?B次元官网网址�

Saanich council approved the wording by a margin of 7-2 with Couns. Judy Brownoff and Vicki Sanders opposed. Victoria approved the motion by a vote of 8-1 with Coun. Ben Isitt opposed.

This wording include a small but crucial change to the wording that Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell and City of Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps had previouslyl drafted. It read as follows: B次元官网网址淎re you in favour of establishing a CitizensB次元官网网址� Assembly to explore the costs, benefits and disadvantages of the amalgamation between the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria?B次元官网网址�

The newest version B次元官网网址� which still remains subject to public input and final ratification B次元官网网址� links the referendum with a yet-to-be-determined cost.

Gudgeon predicts that the referendum will fail in Saanich, but pass in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淧olitics 101 - you want something to fail, talk money,B次元官网网址� she said.

The revised wording in turn marks a victory for critics of the process, who have questioned its rationale and costs, because they will now be able to link the referendum with a figure.

Brownoff, for example, has consistently questioned the legitimacy of the process. motion has B次元官网网址渇ailedB次元官网网址� because the provincial government has yet to B次元官网网址渆stablish and fundB次元官网网址� a citizensB次元官网网址� assembly on amalgamation with interested municipalities.

Opportunities for participating in a referendum may only come around once in a decade, Atwell said.

B次元官网网址淚 encourage people of all ages who are eligible to vote to vote to have their say on the ballot question,B次元官网网址� he added.

Atwell also acknowledged the revised wording could change the dynamic of the vote.

B次元官网网址淭he changed wording will no doubt invigorate the debate and that is healthy,B次元官网网址� he said. Coun. Colin Plant said the new wording is going to give residents greater clarity about the costs of a citizensB次元官网网址� assembly.

B次元官网网址淲hile I would have preferred to see it included in the [educational and informational material] provided to residents, I respect the will of the majority of council that wanted it in the referendum question itself,B次元官网网址� he said.

Estimates of what a citizensB次元官网网址� assembly might cost vary, and the most recent citizensB次元官网网址� assembly on amalgamation is likely unreliable.

The citizensB次元官网网址� assembly that had preceded the failed amalgamation vote in Duncan and North Cowichan had a total price tag of $145,000, with the two municipalities responsible for just under $96,000.

Critics have pointed out that Saanich (114,148) and Victoria (85,792) have a combined population (199,940) that is roughly six times higher than the populations of North Cowichan (29,676) and Duncan (4,944) combined (34,620) B次元官网网址� the unstated implication being that a citizensB次元官网网址� assembly looking into the potential amalgamation of Saanich and Victoria could cost six times as much.

Yet supporters of amalgamation have noted that the Duncan-North Cowichan process offers some, but not complete guidance.

This uncertainty, coupled with questions about the level of provincial support for a future citizensB次元官网网址� assembly, looms in the background as staff try to attach a figure to any future citizensB次元官网网址� assembly.

B次元官网网址淭he amount [at this stage] is likely to be a guesstimate and staff will report their findings back to council,B次元官网网址� said Atwell.