Time for Citizens’ Assembly to get back on track

It’s time to get the Citizens’ Assembly process back on track. In 2018, voters in the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria gave a mandate to their respective councils to explore the pros and cons of merging the two municipalities. The good faith discussions were interrupted by the global pandemic, but they’re far from forgotten. In fact, recent news about policing challenges shows how vital a Citizens’ Assembly might be for the future of our region.

The Chamber has long advocated for Better Regional Services. We don’t know what a Citizens’ Assembly will find, but it is the right approach to get answers to questions about governance — and merging services such as policing — in Greater Victoria’s largest municipalities.

As the province moves closer to Step 4 of the BC Restart Plan on Sept. 7, it’s time for the Citizens’ Assembly process to get back on track.