Alternative Approval Process for Municipal Boundary Extension

The City of Nanaimo will be conducting an alternative approval process (AAP) to seek elector approval to amend the municipal boundary to include Snuneymuxw reserve lands within the City of Nanaimo.

The lands proposed to be included are:

• IR#1 (Nanaimo Town No.1)
• IR#2 (Nanaimo River No. 2)
• IR#3 (Nanaimo River No. 3)
• IR#4 (Nanaimo River No. 4)

Under the Local Government Act, elector approval is required before a municipal boundary can be amended to include lands not currently within a municipality. Elector approval can be obtained through either an assent vote (referendum) or an alternative approval process (AAP). Council directed staff to undertake an AAP for the boundary extension at the February 23, 2026 Regular Council meeting.

This AAP will begin on Wednesday, March 11 at 8:30 a.m. and the deadline for submitting completed and signed elector response forms is 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13.

Background Information

Snuneymuxw First Nation has expressed a desire for the City to expand its municipal boundary to include SFN reserve lands IRs 1, 2, 3 and 4, which would enable Snuneymuxw people living on these reserves to participate in City of Nanaimo municipal elections.

This request aligns with the City’s commitment to advancing reconciliation and echoes Policy C4.1.10 of City Plan – Nanaimo ReImagined which states the following: “Work with Snuneymuxw First Nation, the Provincial Government, and the Regional District of Nanaimo to investigate opportunities for Snuneymuxw Mustimuxw (peoples) to participate in City elections.”

In August 2025, a joint letter, sent on behalf of Nanaimo City Council and Snuneymuxw Council, was sent to the Provincial Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs requesting support to initiate a municipal boundary change that would see Snuneymuxw reserve lands (IRs 1, 2, 3 and 4) included within the City of Nanaimo.

More information related to the proposed boundary extension can be found in the staff report Municipal Boundary Extension and on the Boundary Change Information webpage.

How an Alternative Approval Process Works

• If you are in favour of the proposed municipal boundary extension, no action is required.
• If you are an eligible resident or non-resident property elector of the City of Nanaimo and you are opposed to the proposed municipal boundary extension without it first receiving assent of the electors by voting (referendum), you may sign an AAP Elector Response Form.
• The deadline for submission of signed Elector Response Forms is on or before 4:30 pm on Monday, April 13, 2026. Please review elector eligibility requirements on the City’s AAP webpage: Alternative Approval Process Information and Eligibility
• The number of electors in the City of Nanaimo is estimated to be 79,569. Approval of the electors is obtained if less than 7,957 elector response forms are received by the deadline.

Supporting Documents & Information

• Report to Council – Municipal Boundary Extension
• Alternative Approval Process Information and Eligibility
• Alternative Approval Process Policy COU-242
• Boundary Change Information & FAQ webpage

AAP Elector Response Forms

Elector Response Forms will be available beginning Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

The AAP Elector Response Form will be available online and physical copies we be available at the Legislative Services counter at City Hall during business hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. As per Council’s AAP Policy, a maximum of 10 printed copies will be provided per individual throughout the AAP process.

Completed forms must be submitted by 4:30 pm, Monday, April 13, 2026, and can be submitted in one of the following three ways:

• In person: at the Legislative Services department (City Hall);
• Via mail: sent to 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo BC V9R 5J6; or
• Online: upload a scan or photograph of an original hand-written (physically) signed and completed form through the submission page on the City website: https://nanaimo.ca/goto/AAP-submissions

Elector response forms must contain original signatures - the City of Nanaimo cannot accept Elector Response Forms that have digital/electronic signatures.

In order to be counted, all forms must be received by the Corporate Officer by 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2026. Forms received after this deadline will not be considered.

Who to contact

If you have any questions about the AAP process, please email Legislative.servicesoffice@nanaimo.ca or call (250) 755-4405.