Claims Cambridge will face amalgamation just 'rumours,' says mayor

But Ermeta stands by Queen's Park sources, approach to rally residents against merger

Yorkregion.com
March 12, 2019
Lisa Rutledge

Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry is working to tamp down “rumours” following a claim by Coun. Nicholas Ermeta that an advisers' report is calling for Cambridge to amalgamate with Kitchener and Waterloo as part of a regional government review.

In a recent Facebook post, Ermeta called on local residents to fight for Cambridge’s independence -- citing provincial government sources he says gave him a heads up that a report recommending amalgamation for the city is in the hands of Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark.

“Word I'm receiving from trusted individuals at Queen’s Park is telling me that the report recommending amalgamation is in the minister’s office,” wrote Ermeta. “They wouldn't tell me why and said something that Cambridge would have only three representatives … guess we'll find out soon if it's true for sure.”

Ermeta’s bid to rally the city to push back against was led by an open comment to Premier Doug Ford's government.

“Dear Premier Doug Ford: Rule out Cambridge amalgamation with KW or expect to see Cambridge residents at Queen's Park with pitchforks and torches (figuratively speaking) #fordnation.”

The councillor’s comments on social media, picked up by a local television news station, sparked a strongly-worded news release from the Cambridge mayor, in a bid to “provide some clarity.”

McGarry said that she understands the regional government review has caused anxiety, especially in Cambridge, which underwent its own amalgamation process in 1973.

“There are many different rumours right now, in municipalities right across Ontario, about the motive and ultimate outcome of this review,” she noted in her statement to the media. “However, that is all they are -- rumours.”

The mayor, who said that she has met with minister on numerous occasions, has been assured there is no predetermined outcome for the review process.

“In all of my conversations with him, he has remained firm that they are looking at improving local government, and not forcing radical change onto local communities,” she insisted.

“He has even indicated that the government has learned from an early example of not listening to local communities and doesn’t want to make the same mistakes again. Having known the minister from my time at Queen’s Park, I’m choosing to take him at his word.”

The mayor said she was informed last week that the government is looking to launch more consultations with local governments, something she believes is an acknowledgement that more work needs to be done.

Julie O’Driscoll, the director of communications at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, was emphatic in striking down claims made by Ermeta.

“Let me be clear -- there has been no report, nor any recommendations presented to the minister’s office,” she said in an email to the Times. “Anything reported to the contrary is completely inaccurate.”

Recommendations from the review aren’t anticipated until the summer, and outcomes are in no way predetermined, she stated.

“Only after we have thoroughly considered the advisers’ recommendations will we determine how to proceed.”

The provincial government launched the review to take a look at a 50-year-old regional government system, guided by a goal to make better use of tax dollars and make it easier for residents and businesses to access municipal services.

In brushing off his critics, Ermeta said that he is “at peace” with his approach to draw attention to concerns about amalgamation.

“In my own personal opinion, the cities that don't stand up and fight back will disappear,” he said in his Facebook post.

The Cambridge councillor did not want to disclose the identity of his sources at Queen’s Park, only saying that they are “very credible” and have shared confidential information with him in the past -- information that proved to be true.

“I also promised I would not reveal the names of the individuals, as I don't want to see them get fired. I also want to continue to receive updates from them on the regular basis. There is a leak at Queen’s Park and in the Ontario PC Party and I'm very honoured they trust me.”

Ken Seiling, recently retired from a long career as chair of Waterloo Regional council and appointed a short time later as one of two special advisers for review consultations, told the media Friday that no report exists and consultations are to continue into the summer.

Amalgamation with Kitchener and Waterloo has been a sore spot for Cambridge for some time, and not something the city takes lightly: McGarry expressed some concern following the first 30-minute face-to-face conversation with special advisers Seiling and Michael Fenn in mid-February. The mayor had hoped for more time to plead the city's case to remain independent.

Former Cambridge mayor Doug Craig has been highly critical of the review process, saying that the move to amalgamate cities is based on outdated ideals.