KITCHENER — Change to local government is probably coming, despite some pleas to retain Waterloo Region's current structure, the province's advisers on regional reform say.

Former regional chair Ken Seiling and Michael Fenn, former chief administrative officer of Hamilton-Wentworth Region, heard from 21 delegations during a one-day visit to the region Wednesday. They heard varied arguments, from votes of confidence in the current system, to arguments that it's inefficient and confusing.

Seiling said the government has made it clear it's keen to see some change.

"I think they've indicated some appetite for change in a lot of areas so far, but it's not for me to gauge what they'll do," Seiling said in an interview.

"My own view is we can't sit still," Seiling added. "But the degree of change will be dependent on what the government decides."

The province announced earlier this year that it's reviewing the structure of local governments in Simcoe County and eight municipal regions, including Waterloo Region. The advisers are to report to cabinet in July.

The changes may not be the same for all of the regions, Seiling said, adding the province is "very clear that it doesn't have to be one size fits all. We're to give our best advice as to what should happen in each of the communities that we're going into."

Several delegations, including former Kitchener mayor Carl Zehr, argued in favour of amalgamation, saying the current two-tier system is confusing and a time-waster.

"Times change, and most importantly, our community, region and municipalities have changed, but our governance structure has not fundamentally changed since 1973," Zehr told the advisers.

Having one regional government, three cities and four townships leads to a fractured system that doesn't speak with one voice, he said. "We need one emergency plan. One arts, culture and heritage plan. One local government with one set of bylaws. One local government that shares assessment growth and property taxes," he said.

But another former mayor, Doug Craig of Cambridge, argued that the current structure provides choice for residents, and reflects the region's diversity. "We value our culture and our differences," he said.

Delegates from Cambridge universally opposed amalgamation, and some said Cambridge would be better off as a standalone city, possibly absorbing North Dumfries, than as part of a Waterloo Region supercity.

"Bigger isn't always better," said Greg Durocher of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, offering an if-it-ain't-broke-don't-fix-it argument. "When all is said and done, the Region of Waterloo and its partners work very well. We get things done."

Many Cambridge businesses would rather see Cambridge separate from the region than be part of a megacity, he said.

That view was shared by Cambridge resident Connie Cody. "Secession is the best alternative," she said in a letter read by Cambridge city Coun. Nicholas Ermeta. Cambridge residents face an unfair tax burden, Cody said, for example paying for the LRT when no trains travel south of the 401.

David Smart of Cambridge argued in favour of the status quo. While Cambridge residents have some grievances under the current system, "amalgamation would make the current situation dramatically worse."

Not all services are best delivered regionwide, said Bob Williams, a retired political science professor from the University of Waterloo. A megacity could make politicians less accessible and responsive and could make it harder for some people, such as women and minority candidates, to run for local office, he said.

Arts and culture would benefit from having a unified voice, several speakers said. The current system is a "dog's breakfast" that requires cultural groups to make funding pitches to seven different councils, and which leads to arbitrary, inequitable funding, said David Marskell, chief executive of TheMuseum.

Some delegates were critical of the speed of the current review. "It seems crazy to completely reform (municipal structures) in a span that can be measured in weeks or months," said Kevin Thomason of Waterloo.

The province is looking for comments on governance and the size of councils, how services are delivered, decisions are made, and whether local government is cost-effective and efficient.

People can also provide comment in an online survey. More information is available at ontario.ca/regionalgovernment.

cthompson@therecord.com

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