Re: Ballot to Merger KW to Waterloo

by Louisette Lanteigne 700 Star Flower Ave. Waterloo Ontario N2V 2L2

butterflybluelu@rogers.com

Presented to Waterloo City Council on February 22nd 2010

 

Merger Claims

 

Costs do not go down for two reasons:

  • "Levelling up" happens when wages are raised to the highest levels in the area being amalgamated. Costs increase when free, volunteer labour is replaced with paid labour.
  • Amalgamation discourages the "discovery process" where smaller governments have the freedom to innovate and experiment with different ways of service delivery.

http://www.fcpp.org/publication.php/247

 

QUESTION:

At this time of high unemployment with an aging population during a time of recession, is it reasonable to allow a ballot that could facilitate a merger of the City of Waterloo to Kitchener that will most likely raise municipal taxes 20-30%?

 

ANSWER:

Provincial Policy Statement 2005

1.1 Managing and Directing Land Use to Achieve Efficient Development and Land Use Patterns


1.1.1 Healthy, liveable and safe communities are sustained by:

a) promoting efficient development and land use patterns which sustain the financial well-being of the Province and municipalities over the long term;

e) promoting cost-effective development standards to minimize land consumption and servicing costs;