LETTER: Ministry’s revolving door takes toll on Greater Victoria municipalities

LETTER: Ministry’s revolving door takes toll on Greater Victoria municipalities Published 11:30 am Sunday, July 12, 2026 How would you feel if your boss changed 16 times and the company name changed eight times during the last 25 years?

LETTER: Ministry’s revolving door takes toll on Greater Victoria municipalities Published 11:30 am Sunday, July 12, 2026 How would you feel if your boss changed 16 times and the company name changed eight times during the last 25 years? That’s the unfortunate reality at the Municipal Affairs Ministry in this province.

It’s a reality that does little to help local and regional governments faced with the immense challenges of aging infrastructure and escalating property taxes in Greater Victoria. For decades, there’s been a revolving door of 16 ministers in this portfolio. Some stay a few months, some leave after a few years, and often inexperienced politicians are appointed as another minister in charge.

But, for all intents and purposes, the minister is effectively in charge of the ‘junior’ Ministry of Municipal Affairs. The local government moniker has been renamed and shuffled around eight times during the last quarter century. Historically the department has been combined or buried with other responsibilities for housing, community, rural development, sport, aboriginal, long term and home care, women’s services, or cultural development.

For many taxpayers and councils, the constant changes of ministers and regular name changes sends a clear message: local government is not important. That’s curious when you consider the 53 cities, 48 district municipalities, 14 towns, 46 villages, and 27 regional districts were created by and are answerable to the province. Does the government need to be reminded that this ministry oversees vast, crucial responsibilities for taxpayers, such as community infrastructure, zoning, legislation, and local finance?

It demands a steady and familiar hand, especially during these trying times. So, perhaps if the government elevated and viewed municipal affairs as a senior-level, stand-alone portfolio it would go a long way to fulfilling provincial responsibilities. For how much longer can our provincial leaders’ interest in local government only focus on party political considerations?

It’s very likely a shift from largely disregarding local government would result in improved governance and better value for our municipal tax dollar. Stan Bartlett, vice-chair Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria