Referendum on Amalgamation to take place June 23, 2018
Duncan and North Cowichan – The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has called a referendum vote for Saturday, June 23, 2018 on the possible amalgamation of the Municipality of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan.
To find out more details on voting opportunities and qualifications, visit the 2018 Amalgamation Vote page.
Third-Party Public Information Campaign (facts and information) on Amalgamation please visit: www.youdecide.ca
An impartial information campaign led by an external consultant will begin in May to provide information to the public in the weeks leading up to June 23. Residents will be able to seek answers to their questions through a number of channels, including a dedicated website, a call-in line and several open houses, to then determine for themselves whether the two municipalities should amalgamate.
“We have been anticipating the arrival of this letter and are pleased that the Province has declared a referendum date,” says Jon Lefebure, Mayor of North Cowichan. “Residents now have the opportunity to shape the future of our communities and we are eager to learn the result of their votes.”
“It is very important that people become fully informed and seek clarification on any remaining questions they may have. I encourage everyone to participate fully in the process and then make their own determination,” says City of Duncan, Mayor Phil Kent.
As part of the 2014 Municipal elections, both Duncan and North Cowichan Councils agreed to include a non-binding question on the ballot seeking interest in exploring amalgamation of the two municipalities. In North Cowichan, 68% of electors and in Duncan, 52% of electors voted in favour of conducting an amalgamation study.
In May 2017, a Citizens’ Assembly on Municipal Amalgamation recommended to both Councils that Duncan and North Cowichan amalgamate into a single municipality. Duncan and North Cowichan Councils neither endorse nor oppose amalgamation, and responded to the Citizens’ Assembly recommendation by sending a letter to the Provincial government requesting that a referendum on amalgamation be held in the spring of 2018.
Resources:
Citizens’ Assembly Final Report and Recommendation
Urban Systems’ Technical Report
Website: Duncan-North Cowichan Citizens’ Assembly on Amalgamation
Contact:
Phil Kent, Mayor
City of Duncan
250-746-6126 | mayor@duncan.ca
Jon Lefebure, Mayor
Municipality of North Cowichan
250-746-3203 | mayor@northcowichan.ca
