Look to Ottawa as example of successful amalgamation

Re: Amalgamation winds may blow this way — Oct. 27

The Record’s editorial, which suggests support for regional amalgamation, is backing the right horse. I moved to Waterloo in December 2017. Before that time, I lived in Ottawa.

Ottawa has considerable experience with regional government. In 1968, it became a regional municipality which originally consisted of two cities, three villages and 11 townships. In 2001, the constituent municipalities of the region were unified in a single city of Ottawa. Initially, some people were against amalgamation. Within a short time, complaints virtually stopped. Ottawa isn’t perfect. But it has a very good track record in the selection, design, and delivery of services and programs. I fail to understand how residents in this region can make claims that onetier government would result in terrible conditions for them when there has been no local experience with one-tier government. Ottawa is governed by 23 councillors and one mayor. Does Waterloo Region need 50 to 60 elected officials to govern half the people in an area with much less territory? My municipal taxes in Ottawa, which were virtually identical to what I pay here, appeared to stretch a lot farther.

For example, they paid for superb road and sidewalk snow removal throughout the city and smaller rural communities, and superior integrated fire, ambulance and library services. One-tier government can be a superior model for cost-effective, efficient and equitable governance. Brenda Dunbar

Waterloo