Only eight of our 13 municipalities contribute to the CRD arts funding. Sooke, Langford, Colwood, Central Saanich and North Saanich do not. Apparently this is because they think their citizens do not use the arts which are focused mainly on the downtown.
What a crock. I have seen people who live in Sooke at many arts events. Remember, many even work in Victoria. Do they seriously think that their residents do not go to concerts or plays? Do none of them enjoy the Symphony?
The real point is that we live here, in Greater Victoria, not just due to the weather and the beauty, but due to all the benefits the region provides. Were Langford located 100 miles away from the rest of us, I assure you it would not be anything like it is now. It would be Youbou (maybe Port Renfrew).
Good government would flow from amalgamation and such a government could consider what the arts bring to the region, not just to the back pocket of one small area. We should all contribute and we should all benefit, which we will through having a better place to live.
