by Roger Stonebanks, citizen journalist

There seems to be a renewed commentary about just what we did – and didn’t – vote on when different questions about amalgamation/governance were asked in the Nov. 15, 2014, municipal elections in Greater Victoria. To refresh our memories – here are the facts – the questions that were asked and the results of the referendums in eight municipalities:

SIDNEY — “Are you in favour of a provincially funded study to investigate the feasibility, costs and implications of amalgamating the three municipalities of the Saanich Peninsula?” YES – 2,566; NO – 1,232; eligible voters – 9,100.

NORTH SAANICH — “Are you in favour of a study, provincially funded, to investigate the feasibility, costs and implications of amalgamating the three municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula of Sidney, Central Saanich and North Saanich?” YES – 2,881; NO – 1,727; eligible voters – 9,055. 

CENTRAL SAANICH — “Should the District of Central Saanich petition the Province to fund a cost/benefit analysis of an amalgamation of Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney?” YES – 3,588; NO – 1,489; eligible voters 14,242.

SAANICH — “Do you support Council initiating a community-based review of the governance structure and policies within Saanich and our partnerships within the Region?” YES – 21,437; NO – 2,780; eligible voters – 80,986.

VICTORIA — “Are you in favour of reducing the number of municipalities in Greater Victoria through amalgamation?” YES – 18,351; NO – 4,601; eligible voters 69,624.

OAK BAY — “Are you in favour of the District of Oak Bay being amalgamated into a larger regional municipality?” YES – 2,184; NO – 3,594; eligible voters – 14,107.

ESQUIMALT — two referendums were presented, (1) “Are you in favour of the Township of Esquimalt exploring options to achieve efficiencies by further sharing some services with other municipalities?” YES – 3,731; NO – 578; eligible voters 14,545. (2) “Are you in favour of exploring the reduction of the number of municipalities within Greater Victoria through amalgamation?” YES – 2,905; NO – 1,404; eligible voters – 14,545.

LANGFORD — “Are you in favour of the City of Langford being amalgamated into a larger regional municipality?” YES – 2,222; NO – 2,209; eligible voters 23,864.

View Royal, Highlands, Colwood, Metchosin, Sooke — councils did not hold referendums. Eligible voters – 34,505.

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