"Are you in favour of a return to the previous municipal model of government with an upper-tier municipality and 16 lower-tier municipalities?"

November 12, 2002: MPP Chris Hodgson, Minister of Municipal Affairs, appeared before City of Kawartha Lakes Council to ask Council to request a referendum on de-amalgamation. Council passed a motion making that request. Mr. Hodgson then appointed a panel, chaired by Max Radiff, to recommend the referendum question. On December 20, the panel released their report to the Minister and the public, unanimously recommending the question to be put to the voters.

January 8, 2003: Mr. Hodgson responded to the panel with the wording of the question (above) and the timing: The Minister's question would be included on the municipal election ballot on November 10 2003

The campaign was on. Throughout the summer and autumn of 2003 both sides of the question worked to inform voters of the issues. VOCO and VCTC (Victoria County Taxpayers' Coalition) formed the Yes Victoria! Campaign.

October, 2003: Ministry of Municipal Affairs hosted information sessions throughout the City.

November 10, 2003:The people said yes to de-amalgamation: a majority of voters, and a majority of wards. The only mayoralty candidate who ran on a de-amalgamation platform was elected.(election results)