Township mayors and region residents discuss amalgamation of Waterloo region
Two township mayors are speaking out against amalgamation after six Region of Waterloo councillors announced they want to turn the seven separate municipalities in the region into one unified city.
On Wednesday morning, six councillors held a news conference, sharing statements and explaining why they’re pushing for amalgamation.
The six councillors said they believe it will be better for taxpayers and be cost-efficient.
“Overall, I think reorganizing the government to one level will save taxpayers money and will increase the level of service in the region [we] will be able to provide,” Coun. Kari Williams said during the conference.
There are 15 Regional of Waterloo councillors, including mayors of cities and townships, plus the regional chair.
The six councillors who spoke at the conference only represent constituents in Kitchener and Waterloo.
Waterloo regional councillors Chantal Huinink, Kari Williams, Colleen James, Michael Harris, Jim Erb and Robert Deutschmann announce their support for amalgamation at a news conference on June 7, 2023. (Heather Senoran/CTV Kitchener)
WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP
Regional councillor and Woolwich Township’s mayor Sandy Shantz said she was surprised the townships were not included in Wednesday’s conference.
“I did not know about it until the last minute,” Shantz told CTV News. “It caught me off guard. It’s not the way we generally do business. This is a discussion that needs to happen across the whole region, particularly in each individual municipality.”
Shantz said protecting the township’s identity is important to her constituents, and she’s hoping things stay as they are. She said amalgamation wouldn’t serve the townships.
“Wholesale change. I don’t think is necessary,” she said. “To sort of combine that and get swallowed up in a hole, where the majority of the population is in the city, is not where we want to go.”
NORTH DUMFRIES
Sue Foxton, mayor of North Dumfries Township, is also a regional councillor. She said a proper referendum and discussion with all regional councillors and community members is needed.
“Discussion is not a bad thing. It should happen. The way it was done was very unprofessional,” Foxton said.
Foxton said she’s heard from a lot of her constituents about the topic of amalgamation.
“And we don’t get a lot of services, so it will get even less if that happens. Had a lot of emails this morning,” Foxton said.
Foxton was a councillor in the late 1990s, when she said amalgamation was discussed. She said consultants then said it was not the right move.
“For example, North Dumfries taxes would have been raised up 36 per cent without any representation, and anything we wanted to do, we would have to go to downtown Kitchener,” Foxton said.
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
The City of Cambridge was also left out of the announcement on Wednesday.
“We would become a lost suburb of Kitchener-Waterloo,” said Nicholas Ermeta, a City of Cambridge councillor, who is not a regional councillor.
He said he doesn’t want amalgamation or for things to stay the same – he’s hoping for even more change.
“To protect Cambridge from amalgamation, I believe we should leave the region. And we should become a standalone municipality,” Ermeta told CTV News.
RESIDENTS OFFER MIXED OPINIONS
In speaking to residents in Cambridge, Waterloo and Ayr – all offered different opinions on amalgamation.
“It sounds like a good idea to me. Just to get us all together. We’re kind of all one big city anyways,” one Waterloo resident said.
“For me, I think it is ok to make one city. Maybe it will save some money,” said a Cambridge resident.
“I would say no. I prefer not to amalgamate. I’d rather Ayr stay as a little village.” said an Ayr resident.
MOVING FORWARD
The six regional councils said the point of the news conference was to start a discussion and let the province know they are interested in amalgamation. Nothing is set in stone at this point.
“We have lots of research to do. Let’s keep talking. Let’s see what the numbers say,” Coun. Rob Deutschmann told CTV News on Wednesday.
They admitted it is very early days, and they are open to different opinions and future discussions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.