The petition asking the Province to hold a binding referendum on de-amalgamation has been released. The signature of each petitioner is required, so it's not possible for you to use this website to add your name to the petition. We hope to take it door-to-door throughout Dundas (although right now we need many more volunteers to make that happen) but if you can't wait until we get it to you, you can go to it—several downtown businesses have generously agreed to provide space for the petition in their shops. It can be found in the following locations:

The Carnegie Gallery

Chapman Books, 11 Cross Street

Desjardins, 69 King Street West

Horn of Plenty, 24 King Street West

Java Fair, 8 King Street East

The Keeping Room, 6 Cross Street

Marquesa Salon & Spa, 17 King Street East

Picone's, 34 King Street West

Room For Dessert, 8 Ogilvie Street

Terrapin, 41 King Street West

In two important votes this year (2003), Hamilton urban councillors outvoted their peers from the surrounding communities and dashed any hopes that the City would ask the Province to allow a referendum. Hamilton councillors made it clear that they do not believe that their constituents should be allowed to decide for themselves the structure of their local government. Accordingly, if we want the Province to hear our voices, we'll have to deal with Queen's Park directly; we obviously can't count on the City of Hamilton to represent our interests.

Please note that the petition does not call for de-amalgamation. At this point, all we're asking for from the Province is a binding referendum so that the people of Dundas have a chance to clearly express their feelings on amalgamation (as if we haven't already done so). We have asked that the referendum be binding so that the Province cannot ignore the results again this time. Here's the wording of the petition:

Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Whereas And Whereas And Whereas And Whereas And Whereas And Whereas And Whereas We the undersigned hereby petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to take the most appropriate and expedient action necessary to cause to be held a binding referendum allowing the citizens of the former Town of Dundas (currently Ward 13 of the City of Hamilton) to vote on de-amalgamating from the City of Hamilton.

To ensure that the petition is as legitimate as possible in the eyes of the Province, we ask you to please:

• sign the petition only if you are 18 years old or older;
• sign the petition only if you are a resident of Dundas (currently known as "Ward 13" of the City of Hamilton);
• sign the petition only once.

If you have any questions concerning the petition, please .