The Victoria-Saanich Citizens Assembly has weighed in on the topic of amalgamation of the two communities.
The group released its interim report on Dec. 20 intending to provide information about the assembly’s mandate, background, demographic composition, key statistics, along with a broad explanation of potential outcomes for the group's work when it concludes in June.
The report extensively details the first phase of the Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly on Municipal Amalgamation, providing a summary of the assembly’s first four sessions held between September and November 2024 along with public meetings.
“The mandate of the Assembly is to explore the costs, benefits, and disadvantages of potential amalgamation between the two municipalities and make a recommendation to councils,” the report reads.
A draft of values, and a list of key issues and questions the assembly has considered are also included throughout the report, alongside profiles of the 48 assembly members, guest speakers and presenters.
“These residents, representing the diversity of their communities, have taken on the challenge of exploring how Saanich and Victoria might evolve to best serve the people who live here,” Peter MacLeod, the chair of the assembly, said in the report.
"They’ve considered the technical complexities of amalgamation, listened to a wide range of public submissions and engaged with residents in thoughtful discussions at public meetings. Along the way, they’ve identified shared principles — collaboration, accountability, sustainability, and inclusivity among them — that are guiding their work.”
The assembly will continue its work through spring 2025 with four more sessions before presenting its final report to councils by June 2025. In January the assembly will release its technical study report Public meetings will be held Feb. 25 online and Feb. 27 in-person, where the report will be presented. Members of the public will have the opportunity to share questions and provide feedback.
