Residents in Metro Vancouver divided on merging cities

One mega-city, or rather multiple smaller municipalities?

When it comes to merging the cities in Metro Vancouver into one major city, residents are split evenly in the middle.

According to a Research Co. poll, 42 per cent of Metro Vancouverites are supporting the idea, while 42 per cent are opposing it.

The strongest advocates of a potential megacity live in Vancouver proper, with 46 per cent saying they would prefer a merger.

Residents in Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody show the lowest support for the idea, averaging around 32 per cent.

43 per cent of North and West Vancouverites think merging with its larger sister is a good idea.

“Residents of the City of Vancouver boast the highest level of support for the creation of an amalgamated Metro Vancouver (46%),” said Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. in the report.

“The appetite for full amalgamation drops across all other regions.”

Age groups reflect another stark difference among supporters and critics of an amalgamation, with 47 per cent of people between 18 and 54 saying a creation of a mega-city would be a good idea, and only 34 per cent of people older than 55 agreeing to the idea.

Stronger support for Langley merger

However, support grows for amalgamation on a smaller scale.

70 per cent of Metro Vancouverites agree to merge the Township of Langley with the City of Langley, and 62 per cent favour Pitt Meadows to merge with Maple Ridge.

A potential amalgamation between Surrey and White Rock is also favoured by residents, and this idea got new momentum this summer when business owners launched a petition urging politicians to create one municipality.

As of Dec. 1, almost 600 people have signed the petition.

Research Co.’s poll says 57 per cent of residents in both cities would support a merger.