Preliminary Amalgamation Referendum Results
(Duncan & North Cowichan, BC) – Electors in the Municipality of North Cowichan and the City of Duncan have voted on the question of whether the two Municipalities should amalgamate.
The preliminary results indicate that the majority of electors in North Cowichan are in favour of amalgamation and the majority of electors in Duncan are opposed to amalgamation.
The preliminary results can be viewed here:
North Cowichan: www.northcowichan.ca/referendum
Duncan: www.duncan.ca/amalgamationvote
Final results of the referendum are expected be published on Monday, June 25, 2018.
Under Provincial legislation, 50% of the votes in both municipalities need to favour amalgamation in order for a single new municipality to be created. Unless the final results change the outcome of the referendum, Duncan and North Cowichan will continue to operate as separate municipalities.
Background
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 responded by sending a letter to the Provincial government requesting that a referendum on amalgamation be held in the spring of 2018.
