WENTWORTH CREEK, N.S. — West Hants residents could be going to the polls just days before Christmas to cast a ballot for or against amalgamation.
On the same day special legislation was introduced to see the consolidation of Windsor and West Hants municipal units move forward, West Hants councillors re-opened talks about holding a plebiscite.
Coun. David Keith, who represents the Brooklyn area, made a motion Sept. 25 at the municipality’s committee of the whole meeting requesting a plebiscite be held to better gauge public support and interest in merging with nearby Windsor.
It’s an issue that has come up several times in the past — but this time, Keith wasn’t dropping it until it went to a vote.
“Where we sit now today is all because of a petition. I hate to keep repeating myself but how do you ever compare the public having a say (via a plebiscite) to a petition for God’s sakes? We’re talking about something major here — major,” said Keith.
The councillor was referencing the petition that started the ball rolling on municipal reform. The petition, launched by the Avon Region Citizens Coalition, was created in response to what residents felt was a municipal government that wasn’t listening to its constituents, with the fire services issue being one of the primary areas of concern. Once ARC received enough signatures on the petition, council for the Town of Windsor partnered with them and in early 2016, an application was submitted to have the Nova Scotia Utilities and Review Board get involved in consolidating the two units. West Hants council was adamantly opposed. Earlier this year, in order to circumvent the UARB ruling on municipal reform, the two councils agreed to get involved with the Province of Nova Scotia to create special legislation that would help them consolidate equitably and with more input than what would be allowed via the UARB.
“All I want is the public involved in it, plain and simple. That’s what I think a councillor’s job is to keep the public involved in this thing,” said Keith as he pitched the plebiscite to his fellow councillors.
Municipal clerk Rhonda Brown said she estimated the cost to hold the plebiscite would be around $50,000.
Coun. Robbie Zwicker, of Hantsport, said he agreed a plebiscite should be held.
“The ARC group were a crafty bunch and relatively intelligent and they looked through the Municipal Government Act and said ‘how do we get what we want?’” he said, noting they had people sign the petition who were busy, who were on their way to get groceries and liquor.
“We had a group that used a little wrinkle on the bottom of a paragraph in the back of the book to force this upon us,” said Zwicker. “Maybe people need to be heard; $50,000 isn’t a lot of money.”
He wasn’t alone in wanting to see the public have a say. Several councillors offered their support, including Coun. Tanya Leopold.
“I admire the ARC group for their intelligence and their ability to push through a piece of legislation — it’s in the MGA that allows 10 per cent to take on this type of option. For that reason, I totally admire that group for getting it to this point,” said Leopold.
However, she took issue with the process, noting she knows people who signed the petition not realizing the full scope of what ARC was seeking.
“I understand why this is a contentious issue but I appreciate the need for a plebiscite because of the way it unfolded,” said Leopold. “I know you can say it doesn’t matter how we got here, we’re here, but I’ll tell you, it was wrong.”
A done deal?
Coun. Kathy Monroe was opposed to holding a plebiscite on the issue, noting it was a waste of taxpayers’ money, in her eyes.
“The consolidation is in motion. This action, being a plebiscite, would only serve to create further division in our community while placing us in a possible position contrary to true leadership, rather than us being out there to try and educate the municipality as to what was initiated today in the legislature,” said Monroe.
“We’re now going to go back to them and ask them a yes or no question and I’m not sure why. What will it do? What will it lead to other than spending money and creating division? It doesn’t show leadership. It doesn't take us forward down the road. It satisfies one councillor’s need to have a yes/no vote in front of him but... what does it do? What does it serve? What’s the positive end of this? That’s what I want to know.”
The plebiscite that has been proposed is non-binding, meaning that even if the majority of residents vote against amalgamation, it doesn’t mean the merger between the two municipalities will be called off.
“All we’re going to do is irritate the province. It was my understanding that doing this would cause them to be less considerate of our financial needs,” said Monroe, following an in camera (private) session where council discussed the impact holding a plebiscite could have on the workload of West Hants employees.
“I believe that we’re voted in for our ability to lead and our ability to do the right thing. I believe that we’re in a process. We’ve voted on it more than once. We need to step in front of this and get going, support it,” said Monroe.
“It’s a waste of money, it’s a waste of our time and poor leadership all the way around.”
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Coun. Jennifer Daniels said she grappled with the issue but feels it is “too premature” for a plebiscite to be held, if that’s an option council chooses to pursue. She would rather work through the consolidation process.
“I am excited because we have an opportunity to do something different, which is actually engaging the citizens for a change. And it might not be the old, historical way that everyone is comfortable (with) and understands, but it’s the ability for the citizens themselves to create positive change in their communities,” said Daniels.
“I would rather forge ahead rather then end up back-stepping god knows how many years. I do not support that motion as it stands at this point until people are fully involved and engaged and they understand the process like we do.”
Warden Abraham Zebian said he would represent whatever stance council takes, but was confused with why they’re backtracking on the issue.
“At this point, here we go flip-flopping again. I’m not sure where we are or why we do things; why we make decisions and then go back and try to change decisions,” said Zebian.
“I support wholeheartedly people having a voice. I thought we were going to consult with them and gauge their interest and gauge their opinions and have free-flow dialogue. That’s what I was under the impression that we were going to do. I was quite excited for that. I’m a little bit lost right now.”
Monroe reminded councillors that holding a plebiscite wouldn’t change things.
“I think we have councillors at this table who are holding out hope that a plebiscite somewhere during the consolidation process will somehow end the consolidation. I believe you’re ill-informed, if that’s what you believe,” she said.
Monroe said she’s frustrated that council would consider a plebiscite when they’re ‘locked in’ with amalgamating the two municipal units.
“We’re doing this. Money is being spent. I think perhaps it’s time to recognize that we’re on this road. I’ve said this before, you can not agree with the way that we got here but we’re here. So accept it and let’s go forward in a positive effort. It’s going to happen.”
Next steps
Keith made several motions at the committee of the whole meeting, with the main one being that council “directs a plebiscite be held in the municipality on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018 on the following question: ‘do you favour the consolidation of the Municipality of the District of West Hants and Town of Windsor into one municipal unit?’”
Residents would be given two options: yes or no.
The earliest the plebiscite could be held would be in December. If that occurs, there would be two advance polling days, Dec. 15 and Dec. 18, and a regular polling day of Dec. 22.
The warden said he was concerned with how close it was to the holidays.
“It’s the busiest shopping day of the year. I know because I’m a retail guy,” said Zebian. “It’ll be my biggest day in 365 days. I question how many people will go out to vote.”
In order for a plebiscite to be held, council must formerly vote on it. That vote is scheduled to take place on Oct. 9 at the regular council meeting.
At the Sept. 25 committee of the whole meeting, councillors voted 5-4 in favour of having it brought forward at the next council meeting. Voting in favour were Keith, Leopold, Debbie Francis, Rupert Jannasch and Zwicker; voting against were Daniels, Monroe, Zebian and Deputy Warden Paul Morton. Coun. Randy Hussey was not present for the vote.
On Sept. 26, West Hants council announced there would be a special council meeting held on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. The topic of regional government, as discussed on Sept. 25, will be on the agenda.
