Re: B次元官网网址淕reater Victoria governance needs an overhaul.B次元官网网址� The letter writersB次元官网网址� observations about the dysfunctional municipal governance in Greater Victoria are spot on. However, the responsibility to B次元官网网址渟traighten out this messB次元官网网址� does not fall to the provincial government, but to the electorate themselves.

The 2003 B.C. Community Charter, chapter 26, section 279, speaks to B次元官网网址渘o forced amalgamationB次元官网网址� of existing municipalities by the provincial government. The province approaches amalgamation decisions within a framework that relies on a local process. The respective municipalities are expected to design and steward a process that shares information with all constituents and stakeholders on what amalgamation would mean and provide a forum for community dialogue. The province does not involve itself in commencing a study on amalgamation, however, does assist in facilitating the process.

Steps towards this local process (known as a CitizensB次元官网网址� Assembly) has commenced wherein during the 2018 Saanich and Victoria municipal elections, a majority of voters from each municipality approved the following: B次元官网网址淎re you in favour of spending up to $250,000 for establishing a Citizens 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�

Joint terms of reference of this CitizensB次元官网网址� Assembly have been finalized by both Saanich and Victoria councils with submission imminent to the provincial minister of municipal affairs.

There is no question a thorough review of Greater Victoria municipal governance is required, however, it must be initiated by the electorate and not the provincial government B次元官网网址� starting with Saanich and Victoria.

Doug Pascoe

Saanich