Former Kitchener mayor Carl Zehr says now is the 'opportune time' to talk amalgamation

This is the right time for the communities that make up the Region of Waterloo to consider amalgamation, says former Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr.

Zehr wrote an editorial in the Waterloo Region Record on the weekend discussing the issue. Hetold CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition host Craig Norrisnow is the right time to discuss amalgamation because the province has "opened the door" for discussions.

"During my entire time as mayor, I was advocating for this kind of restructuring, so that's nothing new," he said.

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"There probably is never a perfect time" to talk about amalgamation he noted, adding municipalities are constantly facing new issues and challenges and there will always be reasons not to do it.

"This is an opportune time."

Listen to the whole interview:

Local mayors don't want amalgamation

The province is currently reviewing regional municipal governments. The review is being completed by former Region of Waterloo chair Ken Seiling and former deputy minister and Hamilton administrator Michael Fenn.

The two special advisers to the province are currently conducting meetings with municipal leaders and are expected to report back to Steve Clark, minister of municipal affairs and housing, this summer.

Several local politicians have come out saying they told Seiling and Fenn that amalgamation is not something they want.

Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry told Seiling and Fenn "amalgamation into one city is not acceptable" during a meeting on Feb. 7.

North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton and Wellesley Mayor Joe Nowak told CBC K-W they gave examples of where services could be improved, but they also did not want amalgamation.

"If it's working, then we should sustain it, but that does not mean we can't improve it," Foxton said. "Bigger doesn't always get better."

'Waterloo region is not broken'

Regional Chair Karen Redman says Zehr's stance on the issue isn't a surprise as he advocated for local leaders to discuss amalgamation during his time as mayor.

But she disagrees with him.

"Fundamentally, Waterloo region is not broken," Redman said. "Can we improve? Absolutely."

She said something like how the region handles water and wastewater could be simplified. Right now it's split between the two tiers of government in the region. That doesn't need to be the case.

"I think that's something that could save money and make it similar for residents and businesses," she said.

Redman and Zehr agree any focus on amalgamation shouldn't focus on the number of politicians needed to run the area.

Zehr noted he views amalgamation only on the governance level, not for communities.

Redman agrees any changes need to be good for businesses and residents.

"We have to honour community," she said.