There's never a time when someone somewhere in the Battlefords isn't asking the amalgamation question. It's been getting even more attention than usual since Mayor Ian Hamilton edged up to the question at the annual state of the city/town address.
The News-Optimist/Regional Optimisthas taken and published two consecutive polls on the subject, the second one aimed specifically at residents of the two municipalities (apologies to those who felt left out). The results are telling.
Before addressing the results, however, it's appropriate to point out that the issue is not amalgamation at all, but annexation. The province has guidelines for "municipal boundary alterations," otherwise known as annexation, and they are not easily applied to what the Battlefords commonly thinks of as "amalgamation."
A guide developed by the Ministry of Government Relations states boundary alteration is the legal process of altering the corporate boundaries of municipalities – one gaining territory, one losing territory – to accommodate economic growth and development opportunities and to provide services to newly developed properties. It also states the province wants to foster and encourage economic growth and reduce barriers that may delay or prevent the growth of urban or rural communities. Can either of those two situations be interpreted as urgently pertaining to the Battlefords?
Further to the provincial context of annexation, it's no easy thing for one municipality to annex another if it isn't agreed upon by both local governments. To force an annexation, one municipality would have to apply to a committee of the Saskatchewan Municipal Board for a decision – and would have to lay out an overwhelmingly convincing argument for annexation to go ahead. Typically, that argument would have to include an imminent need for land to expand into that isn't available in any other way, and that certainly can't be said for either North Battleford or Battleford.
The two communities may be close in proximity, but they can never grow together physically. They are separated by a mighty geographical feature – the North Saskatchewan River. Neither city nor town can expand toward the other, effectively share a water and sewer system or keep residents safe without maintaining two fire response units. The only thing they could share is a council – that would most likely be in constant clash and deadlock.
Considering poll results that indicate a generally extreme distaste by Battleford residents to consider amalgamation, it's not likely to happen any time soon, if ever. Battleford residents can rest assured they are not going to be forced to become something other than what they are now. As Mayor Derek Mahon said Monday, "people in Battleford seem to love where we live and that's what it's all about."
We are aware there is nothing even remotely scientific about the online poll. In fact the overwhelming response to the choice “I’m from Battleford and I’m so opposed I’d feel tempted to move if we amalgamated” is an indication this is more of an emotional issue that an economic one on that side of the river.
Battleford councillors have been hearing quite a lot on the subject from their taxpayers of late. Councillor Shelley Boutin-Gervais was forthcoming about what she's been hearing, which is "absolutely not! We're fiscally responsible over here, where they don't feel that they are across the river."
Ouch!
Meanwhile, the poll says a significant number of North Battleford residents believe "it's time Battleford paid its fair share for what we offer."
And that's a whole other editorial topic.
