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Duncan-North Cowichan Referendum 2018

Collected by: Vancouver Island University

Archived since: Jun, 2018

Description:

In 2018, citizens of the municipalities of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan voted in a referendum on whether or not to amalgamate. This referendum followed an earlier referendum in November 2014, when voters in both municipalities were asked: “Are you in favor of spending time and resources to study the costs and benefits of the amalgamation of the municipalities of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan?” The 2014 outcome in favour of studying the matter of amalgamation led to the formation of a Citizens’ Assembly on Municipal Amalgamation, which reached consensus and issued a recommendation in May 2017 in favour of amalgamating the two municipalities. On June 23, 2018, the referendum was held on this question: “Do you support The Corporation of the District of North Cowichan and The Corporation of the City of Duncan amalgamating into a new municipality?” For amalgamation to pass required the support of more than 50 per cent of voters in each municipality. In response to the question, roughly 59 per cent of residents in North Cowichan voted for the amalgamation while 68 per cent of people in Duncan voted against it. Consequently, the referendum did not pass and amalgamation did not proceed. Matters and representations related to amalgamation that were explored through this process and referendum are of interest not only to citizens of the two municipalities, but also to researchers, policy makers, and other levels of government, including other BC municipalities, such as Saanich and Victoria, that are considering amalgamation.

Subject:   Government - Cities Politics & Elections

Page 1 of 1 (22 Total Results)

Title: Councillors hiding in the weeds | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/columns/councillors-hiding-in-the-weeds/

Description: As part of our In-Depth feature in last Friday’s Citizen, we asked all 12 councillors and the two mayors what their position is on the proposed amalgamation of Duncan and North Cowichan. It’s unacceptable that eight councillors – all of the North Cowichan councillors, including the almost-always outspoken Joyce Behnsen – and mayors Jon Lefebure and Phil Kent chose to duck the question.

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Bruce, Roger Horgan, John Duncan, Tom Jackson, Sharon Behnsen, Joyce Lefebure, Jon Kent, Phil

Title: Amalgamation fails in North Cowichan and Duncan | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/amalgamation-fails-in-north-cowichan-and-duncan/

Description: The bid to amalgamate North Cowichan and Duncan failed on Saturday. Residents of North Cowichan voted in favour of amalgamation, but residents of Duncan voted strongly against it.

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Subject:   Municipality of North Cowichan ,  City of Duncan

Title: Amalgamation study for North Cowichan, Duncan gets $47,000 from province | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/amalgamation-study-for-north-cowichan-duncan-gets-47000-from-province/

Description: The province has approved up to $47,000 to conduct an amalgamation study for the Municipality of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan.

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Subject:   Province of British Columbia City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  MASS LBP Lefebure, Jon Kent, Phil

Title: Costs queried as amalgamation process between North Cowichan and Duncan moves ahead | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/costs-queried-as-amalgamation-process-between-north-cowichan-and-duncan-moves-ahead/

Description: Municipality of North Cowichan councillors voted last month to move forward with a process that could see the municipality and the City of Duncan amalgamate. But the costs of the process, which staff estimate could be up to $145,000, with the vast majority made up of consultant fees, was questioned at the May council meeting by Coun. Rob Douglas.

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Subject:   Municipality of North Cowichan ,  City of Duncan Douglas, Rob Siebring, Al Maguire, Maeve

Title: Duncan mayor says ‘no’ to amalgamation | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/duncan-mayor-says-no-to-amalgamation/

Description: The mayor of Duncan has come out against the amalgamation of Duncan and North Cowichan.

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Kent, Phil

Title: Faceoff: Why Roger Bruce says yes | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/faceoff-why-roger-bruce-says-yes/

Description: Both North Cowichan and Duncan councils have agreed to remain neutral and not voice their opinions regarding amalgamation but some councillors from Duncan couldn't help but speak their minds. In opposition to councillor Sharon Jackson, who has made it known she's 100 per cent opposed to the idea, Duncan councillor Roger Bruce is making a strong and vocal case for an amalgamation community.

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Subject:   Bruce, Roger Jackson, Sharon City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Urban Systems

Title: False info going around about amalgamation of Duncan and North Cowichan | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/false-info-going-around-about-amalgamation-of-duncan-and-north-cowichan/

Description: Incorrect information about the effects of amalgamation of Duncan and North Cowichan is circulating widely, and it needs to be set straight before people vote on June 23, says Munro Thompson Communications Inc.

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Subject:   Munro Thompson Communications City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Urban Systems

Title: Group forms to fight amalgamation of Duncan, North Cowichan | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/group-forms-to-fight-amalgamation-of-duncan-north-cowichan/

Description: Another group has formed to provide information for people to consider as voters in Duncan and North Cowichan prepare for the referendum on amalgamation on June 23.

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Cowichan Pro-Amalgamation Cowichan No Amalgamation Jackson, Sharon

Title: Minority report: The case against | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/minority-report-the-case-against/

Description: Although many of the Citizens Assembly spoke in favour of amalgamation, there were still some comments opposing all or parts of the idea from committee members. These were printed in a Minority Report at the end of the report of the Assembly’s work.

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Ablonczy, Tanya

Title: Name the municipality! The winner is…. | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/name-the-municipality-the-winner-is/

Description: It’s too early to predict which way the vote will go, but what if the two municipalities become one?

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan

Title: Political scientist weighs pros and cons of amalgamation | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/political-scientist-weighs-pros-and-cons-of-amalgamation/

Description: Alexander Netherton, a political science professor at Vancouver Island University: "Amalgamation is best, but there would be trade offs."

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Netherton, Alexander

Title: Siebring jumps off the fence to ‘yes’ side of amalgamation | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/siebring-jumps-off-the-fence-to-yes-side-of-amalgamation/

Description: Veteran North Cowichan councillor Al Siebring wasn't comfortable sitting on the fence on the contentious amalgamation issue.

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Subject:   Siebring, Al City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan

Title: Third-party pro-amalgamation campaign announced | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/third-party-pro-amalgamation-campaign-announced/

Description: “Cowichan [is] better together.” That’s the word from Patrick Hrushowy and his group Cowichan Pro-Amalgamation as the campaign ramps up for the upcoming referendum on a North Cowichan-Duncan merger.

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Subject:   Hrushowy, Patrick City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan

Title: Amalgamation could enhance character of Duncan | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/amalgamation-could-enhance-character-of-duncan/

Description: Letter from Dan Cvitanovich: "I support the amalgamation of the City of Duncan and the Municipality of North Cowichan."

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Cvitanovich, Dan

Title: Amalgamation its been opined, will make the valley one | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/amalgamation-its-been-opined-will-make-the-valley-one/

Description: Kate Marsh, North Cowichan councillor, on amalgamation.

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Subject:   Marsh, Kate City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan

Title: Amalgamation not the solution | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/amalgamation-not-the-solution/

Description: Regarding the current amalgamation debate, it is clear the status quo, having the City of Duncan govern a small sliver of Duncan, is nonsensical. On the other hand making North Cowichan larger is not going to make anyone happy either.

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Cowichan Valley Regional District Worrall, Ryan

Title: Amalgamation would cost Duncan residents big | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/amalgamation-would-cost-duncan-residents-big/

Description: Opinion piece by Tom Duncan, Duncan City Councillor: Amalgamation might look good to people in North Cowichan, but it is a huge cost to the citizens of Duncan.

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Duncan, Tom

Title: City of Duncan mayor against amalgamation | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/city-of-duncan-mayor-against-amalgamation/

Description: Opinion piece by Phil Kent, Mayor of Duncan: I have grave concerns that this current proposal’s promise of “better” is vague at best.

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Subject:   Kent, Phil City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan

Title: Councillor Staples votes “No!” to amalgamation | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/councillor-staples-votes-no-to-amalgamation/

Description: Opinion piece by Michelle Staples, Duncan Councillor: We are also very distinct and extremely proud of what makes us different.

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Staples, Michelle

Title: Former mayor in favour of amalgamation | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/former-mayor-in-favour-of-amalgamation/

Description: Anne Murray, former mayor, in favour of amalgamation.

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Subject:   Jackson, Sharon,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  City of Duncan Murray, Anne

Title: Reasonable people can disagree — and appreciating those differences make us stronger | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/reasonable-people-can-disagree-and-appreciating-those-differences-make-us-stronger/

Description: Recently, allegations have surfaced concerning the Duncan-North Cowichan Citizens’ Assembly — a process which I chaired following a meticulous tendering process that was won by my firm, MASS LBP.

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Subject:   MacLeod, Peter MASS LBP City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan

Title: Unconvinced a merger of Duncan/North Cowichan beneficial | Cowichan Valley Citizen

URL: https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/opinion/unconvinced-a-merger-of-duncan-north-cowichan-beneficial/

Description: Unconvinced a merger of Duncan/North Cowichan beneficial I have friends on both sides of the amalgamation debate. Nevertheless, I am compelled to voice some comments on amalgamation.

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Subject:   City of Duncan,  Municipality of North Cowichan ,  Murray, Anne Coleman, Mike

Page 1 of 1 (22 Total Results)