Amalgamation

[welltoldtales]

Was this before or after the 'burbs elected Doug Ford and then crushed the Gardiner?

That's democracy. In the end, we need to accept the results of democratic elections, even if we find them personally distasteful.

And non-amalgamation isn't democracy? Maybe diluting a product isn't worth it? Which is sort of my point. Kitchener has spent a lot of time and money building Neighbourhood Associations and Neighbourhood programs. They are winning international awards for that work.

Specifically for it's size, Waterloo has done exceptional work cycling. They are the third Ontario city to get "Gold" in cycling and I scoff at that too, but I have also visited much of Ontario and what Waterloo has done really does compete with the best in Ontario (which is just a poor measuring stick, but you get the point). 

Keeping the cities separate allows for a diversity of identities to be created. Unique solutions to the common problems of city building and resource allocation. Amalgamation leads to "status quo" and "consensus building". It's hard enough to get 10 councillors at a table to agree, imagine 17!

And all so we can put a bigger sticker at the entrance that says we have x population? So that businesses can more freely navigate the intricacies of our governing structure? In two cities that post some of the best job numbers in the country? I think what we have is working incredibly well for businesses, even if they might not like it so much.