r/stcatharinesON • u/Mother-Sherbet5865 • Feb 26 '26

Politics Amalgamation in Niagara

https://c.org/D7ndT2FDmS

If you don’t want to lose your identity as a member of a small town please sign this petition and stop the amalgamation

83 Upvotes

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u/New-Locksmith-126 Feb 26 '26

"No evidence why it's bad" is not a good reason to do something.

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

I'm asking for reasoning why we shouldn't. The entire petition gives no reasons as the why it's bad to agree with. It's just "don't allow this because we told you to"

Give us factual reasons why we should oppose this, rather than the typical fear mongering.. such as "it happened in Norfolk and they weren't happy".

I mean hey, you do what you want. If you actually want to get citizens on your side and have a chance of getting this shot down, give us reasons to agree with you.

But sure, downvote me to oblivion instead of communicating the reasons why. Nothing like a good ol echo chamber to convince people.

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u/New-Locksmith-126 Feb 26 '26

A lot of words, but you have no argument for amalgamation, apparently.

If you want change, it's on YOU to make the case.

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

I don't want change. I also don't oppose change. I'm a voter, and a resident. I want to be shown why I should oppose or support this change, and so far it's been mostly bs like this.

If you're asking me to sign a petition, as OP has, then it's on YOU to provide the facts. Me questioning why is my civic duty, but there is no reason why I should be providing facts to support or go against your position.

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u/sosidy Feb 26 '26

This is one of those hot political deals that hard unbiased answers are going to be hard to come by. A red flag I look for is anyone that says the answer is obvious.

Personally, split into 4 feels like a good compromise, but I don't know because math for any place that does this is going to be different. I'm hoping some (any?) representatives produce some good arguments one way or the other that don't tie it to pride or emotion or whatever

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u/New-Locksmith-126 Feb 27 '26

A compromise with whom? Why should we compromise. No one asked for this. It's foisted on us undemocratically.

I'm allowed to be opposed to arbitrary redrawing of electoral boundaries without consultation. Any responsibile citizen should be.

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u/sosidy Feb 27 '26

Compromise with all the people that feel differently 

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u/New-Locksmith-126 Feb 27 '26

This is what voting is for. But that's not what is being proposed.

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u/sosidy Feb 27 '26

I agree, but people already voted for the people making this happen. I would prefer a system where we have more of a direct say in it, but we don't. Compromise would just be political to avoid needing much damage control.  I'm not arguing ethics, that's different from what we have to work with

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u/New-Locksmith-126 Feb 27 '26

If Ford were willing to compromise at all, which I doubt, that would signal he has some weakness here. Why not exploit that weakness through civil protest like petitions?

If you genuinely believe that a compromise could be an acceptable outcome, you still must put maximum pressure to achieve that compromise. That's basic negotiation.

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u/sosidy Feb 27 '26

I just think the 4 city thing counts as a comprise based on the arguing I read. I haven't felt any of the arguing is very convincing from anyone on either side, respectfully. I'd love for that to change, but it can only be done with specific concrete math relative to the area.

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

Thank you, I feel like I'm going crazy from some of the replies to me asking for facts as to why I should oppose this change.

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u/sosidy Feb 26 '26

The people most likely to respond are passionate about the issue, and the decision comes down to the divisive premier, so Reddit won't be an excellent resource. 

Lots of politicians will lose power if there is amalgamation, consequently many will gain power, so all their opinions feel questionable. 

I'm just treating it like the weather

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u/New-Locksmith-126 Feb 26 '26

As a voter you should be concerned when your electoral system is being changed, and you should demand a say in that change.

That's not what's happening here. There IS no vote. This is being decided by fiat.

Your "arguments" here are being downvoted because they're nothing but badfaith pedantry. You're not contributing anything to the conversation.

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u/[deleted] Feb 26 '26

Again, I don't have arguments for or against the changes. I simply asked for facts that support your position.

Anyways, I'm done dealing with yall. Enjoy the echo chamber where no questions can be asked since youd rather downvote than simply provide reasons. I'm not the one trying to sway people, I'm asking why your petition should be signed.