The City of Duncan is launching an independent technical study to explore what boundary realignment could look like.
The city said the study is in response to long-standing resident interest and follows a 2014 opinion referendum in which residents supported studying boundary realignment. The city noted a 2017 citizens assembly and a 2018 referendum focused only on amalgamation.
In a statement, the city said Duncan wrote to the Municipality of North Cowichan proposing a joint technical study, but the proposal was declined by North Cowichan council.
The city and Mayor Michelle Staples said the study is not about amalgamation.
“We listened to what our residents have repeatedly asked for, and council fully supports this study,” said Staples. “Many people living just outside our boundary already think of themselves as being from Duncan. The boundary was drawn in 1912, and it no longer reflects the reality of how people live. In the past, amalgamation has been the only option studied, and that has been rejected by the community both times it has come to a vote.”
The study is expected to be completed in August, and a citizen advisory panel will be established to provide input throughout the process.
The city said there will be opportunities for community engagement after the study is completed.
Also, the city noted that a boundary change cannot happen without support from both municipalities, engagement with local First Nations, electoral approval and an agreement with the province.
