Carleton ratepayers planning de-amalgamation vote

Queen's Park has opened the door to de-amalgamation, and the Carleton Landowners Association plans on going right on through.

In a recent letter to the association, John Gerretsen, Ontario's minister of municipal affairs, said he is "willing to consider locally agreed-upon restructuring proposals that would contemplate an alternative governance structure."

In other words, the province won't stand in the way of municipalities that want to de-amalgamate, provided they meet several conditions:

• They must be able to prove that residents will be taxed fairly.
• They must demonstrate they'll be economically viable and self-sufficient.
• In Ottawa's case, city council must vote to give rural landowners' associations the right to hold referendums on de-amalgamation.

That letter has caused a stir among the thousands of rural residents near Ottawa who would like to separate from the city. They are already seeking the support of local councillors, hoping for a referendum as early as this fall.

Gerretsen's letter was sparked by Jack MacLaren, president of the association.MacLarenwrote to the minister last month, asking him to allow a referendum on whether rural ratepayers are allowed to separate from the city of Ottawa.

They want out, they say, because they have been paying higher taxes since amalgamation, and getting lower levels of service.

MacLaren was thrilled with Gerretsen's reply.

"City council doesn't have to say they're for or against de-amalgamation," he said after studying the letter. "They just have to give us the opportunity to say that for ourselves."

He has already won the partial support of rural councillor Doug Thompson, who said he would give rural landowners a chance to vote.

"I don't support de-amalgamation," Thompson said. "But I would support a referendum on this issue —before 2008 would be fine with me."

However, the Carleton landowners' group isn't interested in waitingaround. They're already approaching municipal candidates running for election this year, offering their support in return for a chance to vote on their own future.