Waterloo City Council votes unanimously opposing amalgamation
Posted May 14, 2019 12:30:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
In a special council meeting which had a motion to show the City of Waterloo's support for the two-tier system and opposition of amalgamation, there was unanimous support.
The meeting began with delegations who presented information that demonstrated a multitude of examples of failed amalgamation efforts from around the world.
Kevin Thompson, one of the delegates who helped draft an open letter opposing amalgamation in 2010, spoke about how amalgamations fail to achieve their goals.
“Quite simply, most amalgamations don't work and have been shown time and time again to result in significantly higher costs, less representation and bloated less responsive bureaucracies.”
He went on to add that many amalgamated regions go on to seek de-amalgamation after the fact.
Councillors also mirrored the sentiments brought forwards by the delegates.
Mayor Dave Jaworsky spoke on why he feels residents like the two-tier system.
“Your neighbor can be your councillor today, it gives us the big city amenities and lets us keep the small town feel that people love. Nobody ever knocks on my door and says I wish I lived in a city the size of Mississauga, no offense to Mississauga, but nobody ever said that.”
Councillor Royce Bodaly put things a little more simply.
“Amalgamation does not save money, amalgamation does not save money and maybe I'll repeat it again amalgamation does not save money.”
When the vote to support the two-tier system went to the floor it passed unanimously.
