The Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly is accepting public submissions for issues to be considered as it explores the costs, benefits and disadvantages of amalgamating the two municipalities.
The assembly, which in June named its 48 members — 27 from Saanich and 21 from Victoria — chosen by lottery from 300 applicants, will start meeting this fall and residents of both communities are encouraged to submit their thoughts.
Submissions will be reposted on the project website (victoriasaanich.ca) and submitted to the assembly for consideration.
The assembly intends to hold two public meetings, on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, to allow residents to learn more about the process and meet members of the assembly.
The Nov. 20 session will be held online via Zoom from 6-8 p.m., while the Nov. 21 meeting will be held at the Crystal Garden at 720 Douglas St. from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Residents can register for either meeting and get log-in details on the assembly website.
The full assembly will start meeting in September and have four meetings before the end of the year, with an interim report in December.
The final four assembly meetings will be held between January and April and the final report is expected in June.
The assembly’s make-up is meant to reflect the population of the two municipalities, with an equal proportion of men and women and proportionate numbers of renters and homeowners, urban and rural residents, and members of First Nations.
In 2018, voters in both municipalities agreed to explore the costs and pros and cons of amalgamating Victoria and Saanich. Four years later, Victoria, Saanich and the province agreed to split the $750,000 cost of the citizens’ assembly.
The assembly’s recommendations will not be binding for the councils, and could include anything from the status quo to full amalgamation, or harmonizing services such as police and fire.
Both councils have committed to putting the recommendations from the citizens’ assembly to voters in a referendum.
Residents can make their submissions through a secure form on the assembly’s website, email them to [email protected] with the subject line “public submission,” or mail a letter to Citizens’ Assembly Attn: Public Submission, P.O. Box 45043 RPO WESTSIDE, Victoria, B.C., V9A 0C3.
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