2358 replies to this topic

[dasmo]

Name one government project that saved us money.

[Blair M.]

Also, what’s up with Willis Point? Why is it carved out of all municipal boundaries?

Something I too have wondered, but never found a complete answer to.

 

Generally, the conclusion I've come to is that it's directly related to the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, which seems designed to include a bunch of unincorporated areas like Willis Point, East Sooke, Otter Point, Shirley, Jordon River, Malahat, and the Discovery and Chatham Island group.

 

The question remains though, and the answer isn't something I've been able to locate on the internet (although there is a dedicated history book on Willis Point that I've not been able to find) - is Willis Point a member of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area because it was left out of Saanich/Central Saanich/Highlands when they were made municipalities, or was it already associated with Juan de Fuca as the municipalities were formed and thus there was no need to incorporate that area into one of the "new" municipalities?

 

But the answer (the one I can't locate) is definitely found in determining how the boundary between Willis Point/Saanich/Central Saanich/Highlands was originally determined, which will also lead to a description as to how and why Willis Point was left out of becoming part of one of those bordering municipalities.

Edited by Blair M., 09 April 2025 - 07:10 AM.

[Mike K.]

It’s bizarre, isn’t it? Yes, it’s removed and off the beaten path, but it should be a part of a municipality.

Unless, for whatever reason, the cost to support the little area would require a high tax rate? I dunno.

[Victoria Watcher]

I did a little research myself and came up empty.

I mean the one thing is, it’s quite remote.

[Victoria Watcher]

Victoria-Saanich amalgamation best way to plan for the future: citizen assembly chair

 

The Victoria-Saanich Citizens’ Assembly final report was released Wednesday, with the issue expected to go to Saanich and Victoria councils next week

 

https://www.timescol...-chair-10922121

 

 

 

The report will proceed to city councils for a vote next week — it will be presented to Saanich council on July 14, and Victoria council July 17. If those votes are successful, the issue could go to a referendum, likely as part of the Oct. 17, 2026, municipal elections.

 

If amalgamation obtains majority support in both communities, the new councils would have a mandate to implement it.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 10 July 2025 - 05:51 AM.

[Barrister]

Can the people in Saanich be this stupid?

[Mike K.]

Granted, look at the missteps Saanich has made in recent years, and especially this year. The way Saanich has gone about the McKenzie plan, and the yard redevelopment, is not good governance.

[lanforod]

Granted, look at the missteps Saanich has made in recent years, and especially this year. The way Saanich has gone about the McKenzie plan, and the yard redevelopment, is not good governance.

 

True. But I do think most people in Saanich would feel if the City of Victoria council were in charge, they would do even worse. Rightly.

[Victoria Watcher]

Saanich had the strangest "amalgamation" question on the ballot back whenever we did that (2014).   And it certainly did not talk about just merging with Victoria.   I suspect they will not vote soon for this merger.

 

 

2014:

 

Regardless, Saanich voters were overwhelmingly in favour, with 89 per cent voting yes to: “Do you support Council initiating a community-based review of the governance structure and policies within Saanich and our partnerships within the Region?”

 

2018:

 

Community opinion questions preliminary results 

The District of Saanich and the City of Victoria Councils asked voters a non-binding community opinion question on the ballot: Are 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? 

•               Yes – 16,852 votes

•               No – 13,274 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 10 July 2025 - 09:01 AM.

[Mike K.]

What if Saanich and Victoria are indeed merged, but parts of Saanich are untethered from the current Saanich and added to Central Saanich, possibly even Highlands and View Royal?

[Victoria Watcher]

What if Saanich and Victoria are indeed merged, but parts of Saanich are untethered from the current Saanich and added to Central Saanich, possibly even Highlands and View Royal?

 

As if.   There are some properties on the Victoria/Oak Bay border that straddle both municipalities and they never even sorted that out.  Or putting the Saanich panhandle into Victoria.  No way any municipality cedes any land, unless forced.

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 19 July 2025 - 07:35 AM.

[Mike K.]

The province can come in tomorrow, and say ‘no referendum needed, Saanich will be split among its neighbours.’

Done.

Now that’s not likely to happen, but what is there to gain by lumping Sparky’s area of Saanich with Victoria? It seems an odd fit, for Victoria city hall to preside over rural Saanich.

[Victoria Watcher]

The province can come in tomorrow, and say ‘no referendum needed, Saanich will be split among its neighbours.’

Done.

Now that’s not likely to happen, but what is there to gain by lumping Sparky’s area of Saanich with Victoria? It seems an odd fit, for Victoria city hall to preside over rural Saanich.

 

Because that's the way is always has been.  That's how government runs, often.

[Barrister]

I would vote for thsat if we can ship 60% of the drug addicts to Saanich. Why would Saanich ever want this deal. Why is their city council even considering it. Saanich needs new council members desperately.

[Sparky]

^^ The pitchforks would come out for sure…..and we all have at least one.

[Victoria Watcher]

I believe Saanich voters would reject it in a referendum.

[Blair M.]

I believe Saanich voters would reject it in a referendum.

Definitely. 
I’ve not met a single resident of Saanich that wants anything whatsoever to do politically with Victoria. 
 

Merge all 13 muni’s into one and pass the cost savings along to the entire CRD, or drop the entire topic - (oh, and then get rid of the CRD as no longer required).

[lanforod]

Victoria likely would have better success trying to amalgamate with Esquimalt id think.
I don’t see Oak Bay, View Royal or Highlands ever amalgamating with anyone unless forced to.

[Tony]

Amalgamation needs to be mandated by the government.

[Sparky]

^ Why?