Amalgamation

[urbd]

Waterloo at least has a name that's been around since its founding. Kitchener is named after right shithead and Cambridge would probably never be happy with any choice. Amalgamated towns all still keep their identities for a long time... Scarborough is still there and people all know where you're talking about when you mention it. Same goes for Ancaster and Dundas in Hamilton.

The lack of unified cultural identity is a pretty good against amalgamation. Too bad I really don't think there's anyone listening.

Ironically, at least to my feeling, Scarborough, Ancaster, Dundas, are all more culturally distinct from their amalgamated cities than KW would be.

But I'm sure plenty will disagree...

I definitely agree with this. In an amalgamated scenario, all of the current cities will still exist as their identities and as parts of a bigger city. People will still say "I live in south Kitchener" for a long time. They could even make this official by keeping them as boroughs (or whatever would be the name here) like in NYC. Bigger than neighbourhoods or wards, but smaller than the amalgamated city.

Right, it's just an opinion. My *opinion* is that amalgamation isn't going to happen, not at least the way we'd think. Secondly, while I doubt that a majority of  Kitchener residents are OK with now being Waterloo, I guarantee Cambridge will NOT want any part of "Waterloo". Perhaps enough so to ask for a separation (kind of like what Mississauga wants).

I'll keep it nice, but I think there is more advantage for it to be Kitchener than Waterloo (or Cambridge). But, just an opinion.

I will say though, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, we're not going to have a larger city by the name of Waterloo.

Genuinely curious, but what are those advantages? I would have to agree with urbd that Waterloo, on first glance, seems like it has a lot more going for it in terms of national/international reputation and branding. Plus, with the sordid history of how Kitchener got its name and the even more sordid history of Mr. Kitchener himself, I think killing the Kitchener name would be rather fitting move from a historical perspective! Now Cambridge, that's another story. I feel like unfortunately they'll hate whatever happens, however it happens.

And I agree with you. Waterloo has the longest history of the names (Township of Waterloo - 1816, County of Waterloo - 1853).