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Alternative Approval Process

The alternative approval process (AAP) is used by local governments to gauge public opinion on matters such as long-term borrowing, boundary extensions and disposal of parkland, among other things. An AAP allows eligible electors to indicate whether they are against a local government proposal moving forward. An AAP is a common process used by local governments and must follow the requirements outlined in the Community Charter. 

During an AAP, eligible electors have at least 30 days to sign and submit a response form in opposition to the proposed initiative. If 10 percent or more of eligible electors sign and submit response forms, the local government would need to hold a referendum (also known as assent voting) to obtain elector approval in order to proceed. If less than 10 percent of eligible electors sign and submit response forms, a Council can choose to proceed with the initiative.  

How an Alternative Approval Process Works

  • If you are in favour of adoption of the bylaw, 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 adoption of the bylaw you may fill in, sign and submit an elector response form.
  • If 10% of eligible voters in the City of Nanaimo complete and submit the form then Council must either abandon the bylaw or hold a referendum (assent voting) to obtain elector approval.
  • If less than 10% of eligible voters in the City of Nanaimo complete and submit the response form then elector approval is received and Council can choose to proceed with the initiative. 

    Elector Eligibility

    In order to sign an elector response form for an AAP, a person must either be a resident elector or a non-resident property elector.

    The City of Nanaimo uses the provincial voters list to confirm that resident electors are eligible to submit response forms. Residents should contact Elections BC to confirm their registration on the provincial voters list.

    A resident elector is an individual who is entitled to sign an elector response form during an AAP by virtue of living within the City of Nanaimo.  When signing an elector response form, a resident elector must:

    • Be 18 years of age or older;
    • Be a Canadian citizen;
    • Have lived in BC for the last 6 months;
    • Be a resident of the City of Nanaimo;
    • Not be disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.

    A non-resident property elector is an individual that does not live in the City of Nanaimo and who is entitled to sign an elector response form during an AAP by virtue of owning property in the City. When signing an elector response form, a non-resident property elector must:

    • Not be entitled to register as a resident elector in the City of Nanaimo;
    • Be 18 years of age or older;
    • Be a Canadian citizen;
    • Have lived in BC for the last 6 months immediately prior to signing the response form;
    • Have owned real property in the City of Nanaimo for at least 30 days immediately prior to signing the response form;
    • Not be disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law;

    If there is more than one registered owner of the property (either as joint tenants or tenants in common), only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owner, register as a non-resident property elector, and,

    A person may only register as a non-resident property elector in relation to one parcel of real property in a jurisdiction.

    Note:  Only one non-resident property elector may sign an elector response form per property, regardless of how many people own the property; and, that owner must have the written consent of a majority of the other property owner(s) to sign the response form on their behalf. Property owned in whole or in part by a corporation does not qualify under the non-resident property elector provisions.

    Supporting Documents

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    Alternative Approval Process FAQs

    Contact Us

    Sheila Gurrie
    Director, Legislative Services
    250-755-4494
    Sheila.Gurrie@nanaimo.ca

    Last updated: July 23, 2024

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