Re: “Real story of census is in the core,” letter, Feb. 14.
The letter-writer was correct in highlighting the remarkable growth of Victoria’s core population since the last census, particularly in the city itself, whose population of 85,792 represents a numerical increase almost the same as Langford’s.
Another noteworthy story is that Greater Victoria maintained its position as the 15th largest metropolitan area in Canada with a population of 367,770, and that it was the only metropolitan area in B.C. to show an increased rate of growth.
Yet St. John’s, with a population of only 205,955 in its metropolitan area, is a member of the Caucus of Big City Mayors, a body that has a direct line to the federal government with respect to infrastructure renewal, homelessness and other “big city” problems that are all too familiar here.
Greater Victoria has no such voice because, unlike St. John’s, we have 13 competing mayors and councils, but no one to represent us on the national stage as a unified metropolitan region.
Until our local mayors and councils, with the help of the provincial government, put their parochial attitudes aside, we will be forever regarded as a small-town backwater by the federal government.
John Weaver
Victoria
