Amalgamation – Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria https://grumpytaxpayers.com Almost the Best Place on Earth Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:50:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://grumpytaxpayers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/cropped-0e7b1df7-373d-4bf2-acb4-3393adeb4f9b-32x32.gif Amalgamation – Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria https://grumpytaxpayers.com 32 32 106214401 Should Greater Victoria Keep Moving Toward Amalgamation? https://grumpytaxpayers.com/2026/07/should-greater-victoria-keep-moving-toward-amalgamation/ https://grumpytaxpayers.com/2026/07/should-greater-victoria-keep-moving-toward-amalgamation/#respond Thu, 16 Jul 2026 22:46:26 +0000 https://grumpytaxpayers.com/?p=10979 After years of studies, public consultation, and an independent Citizens’ Assembly, voters expected a binding referendum on Victoria-Saanich amalgamation.

Instead, the Province declined to authorize one.

In this interview, Trevor Barry, President of Amalgamation Yes, discusses:

  • Why the Citizens’ Assembly reached such a strong recommendation
    • Why the Province’s response disappointed many residents
    • Why the upcoming non-binding referendum still matters
    • How one unified municipality could improve regional governance
    • Why voters should continue the conversation by voting YES this October

Whether you support amalgamation or not, this discussion is an important look at the future of local government in Greater Victoria.

]]> https://grumpytaxpayers.com/2026/07/should-greater-victoria-keep-moving-toward-amalgamation/feed/ 0 10979 Victoria-Saanich Amalgamation: 15 Years of Consultation Ignored? https://grumpytaxpayers.com/2026/07/victoria-saanich-amalgamation-15-years-of-consultation-ignored/ https://grumpytaxpayers.com/2026/07/victoria-saanich-amalgamation-15-years-of-consultation-ignored/#respond Tue, 14 Jul 2026 05:07:10 +0000 https://grumpytaxpayers.com/?p=10970

After more than a decade of public consultation, petitions, municipal referendums, and a provincially funded Citizens’ Assembly, the Province of British Columbia rejected a request for a binding referendum on Victoria-Saanich amalgamation.

John Treleaven of the Grumpy Taxpayer$ and Colin Nielsen examine the history of amalgamation efforts, the Citizens’ Assembly recommendation, the Province’s response, ongoing Freedom of Information requests, and what these events may mean for local democracy and governance in Greater Victoria.

Topics include:

• The history of amalgamation efforts

• Citizens’ Assembly recommendations

• Provincial decision-making

• Freedom of Information requests

• Municipal governance

• Regional accountability

• The future of local government in Greater Victoria

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