Andrew MacLeod / 23 June 2026 / https://thetyee.ca/News/2026/06/23/Quest-Merge-Victoria-Saanich-Roadblock/
The Long Quest to Merge Victoria and Saanich Hits a Roadblock
A citizens’ assembly fuelled hopes voters would decide the issue in October. Not so fast, says the province.
Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Christine Boyle has said no to holding a binding referendum on amalgamating the cities.
click here to read the online article on the tyee website – (excerpts below)
“Advocates for amalgamating Victoria and Saanich say the provincial government’s refusal to order a binding referendum on the question this fall is a betrayal.
“We feel it’s an about-face, and a sneaky one,” said Trevor Barry, the chair and president of the group Amalgamation Yes.
“We want a binding referendum,” Barry said. “The next time there is a question on the ballot, it should be the binding question. It should be the last time we have this question, and whichever way it goes, it goes.”
Members of a citizens’ assembly collectively devoted over 2,500 hours to poring over the question of merging the two municipalities, their efforts supported by $750,000 in public funds. They recommended letting voters decide once and for all.”
“Barry with the pro-amalgamation group said it is disappointing that it took Boyle so long to say she wants more information.
While everyone would like more information, there is enough available for residents to vote in a binding referendum on the question, he said. “To do it any other way is to disregard and disrespect the citizens’ assembly, all the effort, all the money, all the volunteer hours of those who served, the recommendations and all of that.”
“Barry said his group is against waiting another four years. “That would be a huge betrayal by the province and anyone who was leading them in that direction against the will of the people, the citizens of both Victoria and Saanich as they’ve voted in the past, as well as the commitments they made on the citizens’ assembly process.”
With political will, he said, a binding vote could be held this October. “There is still plenty of time.” [Tyee]”