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Region’s municipalities should share resources

I wonder if the new municipal auditor general, Basia Ruta, thinks that 13 municipalities and Capital Regional District are still an efficient way to govern 310,000 people.

I wonder if the new municipal auditor general, Basia Ruta, thinks that 13 municipalities and Capital Regional District are still an efficient way to govern 310,000 people.

The CRD has a secondary sewage treatment plan on paper with an imaginary cost figure. If the CRD used the latest technology, it could build several smaller tertiary treatment plants. It would save the taxpayer an enormous amount of money if the CRD listened to ideas like the RITE plan. Our marine life would benefit and no municipality could demand additional amenities.

The kitchen-scraps collection system is another financial disaster. Some CRD directors are using this poorly planned idea to tackle our toxic pharmaceutical sewage and storm-drain pollution problem.

We live in a region of “haves” and “have nots.” The Highlands fire department, like other volunteer departments, needs help. The Mill Bay fire department operates out of a barn-style building. Mill Bay is outside the CRD umbrella, but the Mill Bay volunteers are the ones who have to deal daily with the CRD’s bad drivers.

Shouldn’t our elected officials be more receptive and share the equipment, manpower and buildings through a limited amalgamation agreement?

Will it take the power of the B.C. government to produce the necessary downsizing of some municipalities and force a sharing of the resources? I wonder why Saanich doesn’t want to ask its voters for their thoughts on some amalgamation.

Art Bickerton

Saanich