Alternative Approval Process (AAP) Water Projects

The Town of Ladysmith continues to place a high priority on investing in infrastructure to maintain a reliable water supply system for the future of our growing community, while also meeting the demands of climate change.

With this in mind, we are applying for a federal grant to help fund the completion of three major water projects: increasing storage capacity of the Holland Lake Dam, building a connection between Stocking Lake and Holland Lake and twinning the Stocking Lake Main.

The federal grant could fund up to 73.33% of the total $23.22-million required for the three water projects, not including contingency costs. The Town's share of the grant, which we need to borrow, would be up to $6.2-million.

The Town requires the approval of its voters for any borrowing that will be repaid over more than five years. Council has chosen to seek this electoral approval through an Alternative Approval Process (AAP).

In accordance with section 175 of the Community Charter, Council must seek the elector approval through an Alternative Approval Process to borrow these funds. The area to which this Alternative Approval Process applies is the Town of Ladysmith as defined by its municipal boundaries.

Only those opposed to the borrowing of funds are required to submit and Elector Response Form. If fewer than ten percent of municipal electors (which is estimated to be 688) submit an Elector Response Form, the Council of the Town of Ladysmith may borrow the funds in order to carry out works to increase the capacity and security of the water supply system servicing the Town of Ladysmith.

For the purpose of conducting this alternative approval opportunity, the number of electors is estimated to be 6,881.

A copy of proposed Bylaw 2031 and related information may be viewed here, or at the Town of Ladysmith City Hall located at 410 Esplanade, Ladysmith, BC until February 18, 2020. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm, excluding statutory holidays.

FAQs about the Water Projects AAP

Click here to read the full list of FAQ's on the Water Projects AAP.

What is an AAP?

When a local government needs to borrow money over more than five years, the Community Charter requires that this must be approved by the electors. An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is the method most commonly used by local governments in British Columbia for approval of borrowing . In an AAP, people who do not support the borrowing are required to submit an Elector Response Form.

The deadline to submit the form if you are opposed to the Town borrowing funds for water projects is 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

There are two types of electors -- resident and non-resident.

You qualify as a Resident Elector (who lives in the Town of Ladysmith) if you:

are 18 years of age or older; and
are a Canadian citizen; and
have lived in British Columbia for at least 6 months; and
have lived in the Town of Ladysmith for 30 days or longer; and
are not disqualified from voting in an election, or otherwise disqualified by law.

You qualify as a Non-Resident Property Elector (who owns property in the Town of Ladysmith but does not live here) in the Town of Ladysmith if you are:

age 18 or older; and
a Canadian citizen; and
a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months; and
a registered owner of real property in the Town of Ladysmith for at least 30 days ; and
not entitled to register as a resident elector; and
not disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law

If there is more than 1 registered owner of the property, only 1 of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the other owners, submit an elector response form as a non-resident property elector.

To read more about the Alternative Approval process, please click here, or visit the Province of BC Website.

Introduction to General Local Elections

General local elections in B.C. are held every four years on the third Saturday in October. The next general local elections will be held on October 15, 2022.

General local elections (and by-elections) are the most direct way for the public to influence their local government, school district or other local governance body by determining the individuals who then make decisions and govern on their behalf following general voting day.

Who can run for office in Ladysmith?

You may run for any local government office if you:

are a Canadian citizen;
are at least 18 years old on election day;
have lived in British Columbia for at least six months (i.e., you moved here on or before May 13, 2014); and
have not been disqualified from voting in this election.

You do not have to live or own property in Ladysmith to run for office here.

You may not run for local government office if you:

are a judge of the Provincial Court, Supreme Court or Court of Appeal;
are an employee or salaried officer of the Town of Ladysmith (unless you have taken a leave of absence to run for office and agree to resign if elected);
are under sentence for an indictable offence and are in custody or in prison;
have been found guilty of an elections offence, such as double voting or buying votes, and are prohibited from holding office; or
have been disqualified from this election for failing to:
- file a disclosure statement in a previous election;
- make an oath of office; or
- attend meetings.

For more information about running for office, click on this link for a Local Elections Candidates Guide produced by the Province of BC -- BC Government Candidate Guide, Thinking of Running for Local Office video series, or pick up a copy at City Hall.

For information about the new rules for campaign financing under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, click here.