Editor: The Langley Reunification Association, of which I am a member, is working on a plan to have the citizens of the City and Township of Langley decide if they should amalgamate, or stay the way they are.
In order for citizens to make an informed decision, an independent study must be carried out detailing the advantages and disadvantages of amalgamation. An independent and qualified organization must undertake the study and be paid by the City and Township.
At a City council meeting in July, the council voted to reject any work or study on amalgamation. Their vote was based on a 34-page report presented by City administrator Francis Cheung. He stated that there was no case for conducting a study on amalgamation of the City and Township.
His report contained his own comments, plus reference material from six authorities, who had studied amalgamation decisions made in Canada and concluded that the results had all been negative and were not in the best interests of anyone.
It is very obvious that the purpose of the administrator’s report was to ensure council voted “no” to any work by the City on amalgamation, and to protect council and staff positions.
There was not one single statement that would support amalgamation, even though Canada has experienced many positive decisions — Chilliwack, Kamloops and Port Alberni in B.C.; and Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, are examples. There are pros and cons to every decision of this nature.
Amalgamation of B.C. municipal areas is covered by the Local Government Act and other acts. However, no amalgamations have taken place since the legislation became effective about 10 years ago. The new legislation does ensure that the citizens will make the right decisions if the rules are followed. In the Langley City case, council and senior staff put their interests first and the citizens’ interests a distant second.
The two Langleys separated back in 1955 over a minor administrative detail.
A proper study would allow the citizens to decide if this decision should stay or be reversed. The citizens could clarify their thoughts on council’s action in the upcoming Nov. 19 City civic election.
Eric J. Bysouth,
Langley City
