Island is plagued by over-governance

Re: “Why I support a study into amalgamation,” comment, Sept. 22. This is an insightful and informative commentary. We absolutely agree.

Since moving to “paradise” in Parksville from Calgary 16 months ago, we are baffled by the over-governance that exists on the Island. The City of Calgary 2015 census reported a population of 1.2 million in an area of 848 square kilometres. Calgary has one mayor and 14 councillors who represent 14 wards. Each councillor has two dedicated staffers and shares a pool of seven other staffers.

The Calgary Police Service has one chief and four deputy chiefs overseeing headquarters, eight district offices, four community stations and one traffic section.

The Calgary Fire Department has one chief and five deputy chiefs overseeing 39 fire stations, most of which have emergency medical technicians.

Perhaps the idea of amalgamation of some or all of the 13 municipalities in Greater Victoria should be given serious consideration once again. Unfortunately, there appears to be little interest by the politicians affected and the provincial government. As long as there are multiple municipalities and regional districts as well, there is not one strong organization to represent the Island needs. Divide and conquer.

It is time for the taxpayers who financially support these fiefdoms to say enough is enough. Don Snell Parksville