Alternative Approval Process

At any time, the CRD may also be conducting other voting or processes to obtain elector approval as set by legislation, including an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) or referendum.

Current AAPs

About AAPs

An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is one provincially legislated method that allows the CRD to receive participating area approval for certain bylaw decisions prior to adoption.

Your participation as an elector during an AAP is crucial. If you disagree with a proposed bylaw, fill out an elector response form and submit it to the CRD by the deadline.

If you agree with a proposed bylaw, no action is required.

How it works

  1. Proposed Bylaw: At a CRD Board meeting, the Board gives third reading to the proposed bylaw that needs participating area approval and at that time decides to use an Alternative Approval Process (AAP). 
  2. Inspector of Municipalities Approval: The proposed bylaw, at third reading, must be given approval by the Inspector of Municipalities before the AAP can take place.
  3. Public Notice: Information about the proposed bylaw is shared using public notices.
  4. Response Period and Elector Response Form: Electors of the participating area have a set period of at least 30 days to respond if they oppose the proposed bylaw. They do this by signing an elector response form.
  5. Threshold: If 10% or more of the eligible electors submitted a completed Elector Response Form by the deadline, the CRD may hold an assent vote (referendum) or reconsider the proposal.
  6. Approval: If fewer than 10% of eligible electors oppose the proposed bylaw, it is considered approved. The results of the AAP are certified by the Corporate Officer and the matter is brought before the CRD Board at their next regular meeting to adopt the bylaw.
The AAP is a cost-effective and efficient way to gauge public opinion on important issues. It allows the electors in the participating area to have a say and have their opposition counted by submitting an elector response form over a period of at least 30 days. This process ensures that significant decisions reflect the community’s wishes while saving resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Alternative Approval Process?

An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is a form of approval that allows electors to indicate whether they are against a local government proposed bylaw moving forward. Electors can voice their opposition by submitting a completed elector response form to the CRD. If 10% of eligible electors complete and submit the form, the AAP has not obtained elector approval.

What other methods are available to obtain elector approval?

There are two other methods of obtaining participating area approval. They are Municipal Consent and Assent Voting (referendum).

Municipal Consent may only be used if the service or loan is for the whole municipality. Consent is provided by municipalities and/or electoral area directors on behalf of their electors. Regional district electoral area directors may only provide consent on behalf in specified circumstances, in most cases an AAP is conducted for each electoral area.

Assent Voting (referendum) allows electors to vote on whether a proposed bylaw would move forward or not based on having a majority of  votes cast in favour. Assent voting is conducted under the rules that generally apply to local elections and as such, is the more costly of the three options available to local governments to obtain elector consent.

Why have an AAP instead of Assent Voting (Referendum)?

An AAP is less costly and requires fewer resources than a referendum. It gives electors the most flexibility to participate by submitting a completed elector response form over a period of at least 30 days. 

What does 'Participating Area' mean?

'Participating Area' refers to the municipality, electoral area, or Treaty First Nation (if applicable) that is the participant in a regional district service.

Who can submit an Elector Response Form?

Qualified Residents & Non-Resident Property Electors of the Participating Area may submit a completed elector response form by the deadline to LegServ@crd.bc.ca.

How do I know if I meet the Elector Qualifications?

Resident Elector: You are entitled to submit an elector response form as a Resident Elector if you are:

  • 18 years or older on the date of submission of the elector response form
  • are a Canadian citizen
  • have resided in British Columbia for at least six months, and currently reside in the Participating Area prior to signing the elector response form

Non-Resident Elector: You may submit an elector response form as a Non-Resident Property Elector if you are:

  • 18 years or older on the date of submission of the elector response form
  • are a Canadian citizen
  • have resided in British Columbia for six months
  • have owned and held registered title to property in the Participating Area for 30 days and do not qualify as a Resident Elector

If there is more than one registered owner of the property (either as joint tenants or tenants in common) only one individual may, with the written consent of the majority, submit an elector response form.

How do I submit my Elector Response Form(s)?

The Capital Regional District accepts completed forms by hand, mail, and email. Submission details will be included on the elector response form.

Can I withdraw my elector response form after I have submitted it?

Yes. You can contact Legislative Services before the deadline to request your form be returned. You can no longer withdraw your form once the AAP deadline has passed.

What do I do if I am in favour of the proposed action of the AAP?

No action is required as you are in favour of the proposed action. 

How is the 10% threshold of electors determined?

The 10% threshold is based on the Provincial list of registered resident voters and the CRD list of registered non-resident property electors.

How does the CRD notify electors of current AAPs?

A notice must be published at least 30 days before the voting submission deadline. The CRD follows the legislative requirements for public notices in accordance with the Local Government Act, Community Charter  and the CRD Public Notice Bylaw. Notice is published one time in a print publication and one time on the CRD website under Public Notices.

I am a Non-Resident Property Elector. How can I stay informed?

As a Non-Resident Property Elector, you can stay informed by visiting our Public Notices page.

What information does an AAP notice provide?

The notice must include:
  • A general description of the proposed bylaw, agreement, or other matter.
  • The participating area to which the approval applies.
  • The deadline for elector response forms to be received.
  • A statement that the council or board may proceed with the matter unless 10 percent of the electors in the area indicate the council or board must obtain the assent of the electors before proceeding.
  • A statement that elector responses must be in the form established by the board, that the elector response forms are available at the regional district office, and only electors of the participating area to which approval applies are entitled to sign the forms.
  • The number of elector response forms required to meet the 10 percent threshold.
  • A synopsis of the bylaw that describes the intent of the bylaws, the proposed service area, and the date, time, and place for the public inspection of copies of the bylaw.

How do Non-Resident Property Electors register to vote?

The CRD maintains a list of Non-Resident Property Electors for the Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island and Southern Gulf Islands electoral areas. You may contact us to check if you are on the list or to find out more about registration.

You may contact Legislative Services by email, by mail (625 Fisgard St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1R7), or by phone at 250.360.3024 or 1.800.663.4425 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays).

I own property under/with a corporation. Can I submit a form?

No. There is no business or corporate vote in British Columbia. This applies even when the property is partially owned by an individual who is otherwise eligible to submit an elector response form.

Can I vote for every property I own in the CRD?

For an AAP you may only vote once, either as a Resident Elector OR as a Non-Resident Property Elector. 

For a regional AAP you may vote only once regardless of how many properties you own.

When an AAP is conducted separately in each electoral area, a Non-Resident Property Elector may vote once in each electoral area they own property. 

How do I share my thoughts on the topic?

It's wonderful to see electors who are engaged in our communities, and we want to hear from you. You can email the Board. Your email will reach all 24 Board members.

Can anyone access the submitted elector response forms?

Only the Corporate Officer and their designate(s) may review forms during an AAP. The Corporate Officer is responsible for the safe keeping of the elector response forms during and after an AAP. The CRD must retain elector response forms as per requirements established in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act once the AAP has been completed.

How are the results determined?

After the AAP deadline has passed, the Corporate Officer must determine and certify whether the valid elector response forms submitted met or exceeded the 10% threshold established for the process. This determination is final and conclusive.

How are the results of the AAP communicated to the public?

Following certification of the results by the Corporate Officer, the results will be posted on the CRD's website and a report to the CRD Board will be provided at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

The approval of the electors was obtained, what's next?

When less than 10% of the eligible electors have submitted an elector response form, participating area approval has been obtained. The results of the AAP are certified by the Corporate Officer and the matter is brought before the Capital Regional District Board at their next regular meeting.

The approval of the electors was not obtained, now what?

When consent is not obtained (meaning more than 10% of the eligible electors submitted elector response forms by the AAP deadline) local governments have two choices. They may proceed with assent voting (referendum) within 80 days or put the matter on hold and consider alternatives to the proposed action.

The Certified Results from previous AAPs show some Elector Response Forms were rejected. Why were they rejected?

Elector response forms may have been rejected if they were incomplete or illegible, if the elector submitted more than one form, or if the elector was not qualified to vote.

Elector response forms received after the deadline will not be counted.

I have questions about the bylaw of a specific AAP. Who do I contact?

Any questions about the bylaw specifically can be directed to the staff member(s) mentioned in the Public Notice. The notice will provide that staff member's phone number and email address where they can be reached.

I have questions about the AAP process itself. Who do I contact?

Any questions about the AAP process itself or to obtain an elector response form, you may contact Legislative Services by email, by mail (625 Fisgard St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1R7), or by phone at 250.360.3024 or 1.800.663.4425 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays).

Past Results

2024

Land Assembly, Housing and Land Banking Alternative Approval Process

The Capital Regional District ("CRD") Board proposed to adopt Bylaw No. 4552 to authorize the borrowing of eighty-five million dollars ($85,000,000) for the purpose of the Land Assembly, Housing and Land Banking Service, including to support future housing partnership opportunities and to increase the supply  of affordable, inclusive, and adequate housing in the region.

Elector approval was sought by way of a regional alternative approval process within all municipalities and electoral areas of the CRD, including Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, View Royal, and the Electoral Areas of Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and Southern Gulf Islands. 

At the close of the deadline of February 5, 2024 for receipt of elector responses, it was determined that 1,859 elector response forms had been accepted. As this represents less than 10% of registered votes, elector approval was obtained. 
Bylaw No. 4552 was adopted on February 14, 2024.

2023

Alternative Approval Process for Bylaw 4522, Canada Goose Management Service

The Capital Regional District ("CRD") Board proposed to adopt Bylaw No. 4522, “Canada Goose Management Service Establishment Bylaw No. 1, 2022” to authorize the establishment of a service for the purpose of regional Canada Goose management and coordination within the CRD.
Elector approval was sought by way of an alternative approval process within all municipalities and electoral areas of the CRD, including Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, View Royal, and the Electoral Areas of Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and Southern Gulf Islands. The alternative approval process for Bylaw No. 4522 was advertised in local newspapers and information was placed on the CRD website.
At the close of the deadline of January 23, 2023 for receipt of electoral responses, it was determined that 175 elector response forms had been accepted. As this represents less than 10% of registered votes, elector assent was obtained. 
Bylaw No. 4522 was adopted on February 8, 2023.

Alternative Approval Process for Bylaw 4515, Solid Waste Disposal Loan Authorization

The Capital Regional District ("CRD") Board proposed to adopt Bylaw No. 4515, “Solid Waste Disposal Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1, 2022” to authorize the borrowing of thirty-six million dollars ($36,000,000) for the purpose of acquiring, designing and constructing solid waste facilities and site improvements at the Hartland Landfill site, construction of remote transfer stations and all related ancillary works and equipment.

Elector approval was sought by way of an alternative approval process within all municipalities and electoral areas of the CRD, including Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, View Royal, and the Electoral Areas of Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and Southern Gulf Islands. The alternative approval process for Bylaw No. 4515 was advertised in local newspapers and information was placed on the CRD website.

At the close of the deadline of January 23, 2023 for receipt of electoral responses, it was determined that two elector response forms had been accepted. As this represents less than 10% of registered votes, elector assent was obtained. 

Bylaw No. 4515 was adopted on February 8, 2023.