Victoria and Saanich councils agreed on the wording for a referendum question on amalgamation in a joint committee meeting on Tuesday evening.
The meeting was co-chaired by Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell.
According to the Times Colonist, the agreed-upon question will ask: “Are you in favour of spending [an amount to be determined] for establishing a Citizens’ Assembly to explore the costs, benefits, and disadvantages of the amalgamation between the District of Saanich and the City of Victoria?”
A proper dollar amount for establishing an assembly will be determined by staff and included in the final question.
Including an amount at all caused some debate at the meeting, according to the TC.
Saanich councillor Susan Brice said it wouldn’t be appropriate to pose the question without some idea of the financial implications.
Saanich councillor Colin Plant meanwhile worried that including financial figures would confuse the issue, and that they should only be included in educational materials in the lead-up to the election.
“It almost makes me feel we’re giving it a reason to fail,” he said.
Despite the noted opposition, the question was approved by a majority vote.
Both councils will still need to ratify the question at their respective meetings. If they do, it will be included on ballots at the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 20, 2018.
