
An Assent Vote (referendum) must occur within 80 days after the deadline of the Alternate Approval Process (AAP), which concluded on March 6, 2023. General Voting Day took place on May 6, 2023 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the locations listed below:
- Northside Community Recreation Centre: 9656 Larson Road, Powell River
- Northside Fire Hall #1: 8540 Plummer Creek Road, Powell River
One Advanced Voting Opportunity was held on April 26, 2023 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the location listed below:
- qathet Regional District Office: 202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River
To learn more about the Assent Vote process, please visit the Province of BC website.
At the March 22, 2023 Regional Board meeting, the Board directed staff to go to the public within 80 days of the AAP deadline of March 6, 2023 to ask the eligible electors of the Northside Recreation Service Area:
“Are you in favour of the qathet Regional District adopting “Lund Community Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 564, 2020″ to borrow up to $1,100,000.00, plus interest, over an amortization period of up to 30 years to construct an addition and renovate the community centre located at 9656 Larson Rd, Lund, BC V0N 2G0 within the Northside Community Recreation Service Area?”
Scrutineers for and against the question must be appointed if applications are received from persons who wish to volunteer for the positions. Only persons entitled to vote as electors in this assent voting opportunity are entitled to act as scrutineers.
Alternate Approval Process
The AAP concluded on March 6, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. and was unsuccessful with 109 votes received in opposition to the bylaw.
Bylaw synopsis: The general intent of this bylaw is to borrow up to $1,100,000.00, plus interest, over an amortization period of up to 30 years to construct an addition and renovate the community centre located at 9656 Larson Rd, Lund, BC V0N 2G0 within the Northside Community Recreation Service Area. The area that is subject to the bylaw is all of Electoral Area A excluding Savary Island.
Form of Debt (Long term borrowing from MFA BC) |
Total debt amount to be borrowed from MFA BC | Annual Payment (Projected 6% Borrowing) |
Residential Tax rate per $100K* |
Long Term: 30 years | $1,100,000 | $96,000 | $8.00 |
*Residential tax rates are based on BC Assessment’s 2023 completed roll values.
Should the bylaw be approved, $115,000 received in donation pledges, along with any additional donations received, will reduce the amount required to borrow for this project.
Northside Recreation Service Area which includes a portion of Electoral Area ‘A’. A map of the service area is available for viewing by visiting the Regional District office at the address listed below:
An eligible resident elector for the purpose of this Alternative Approval Process is a resident who meets all of the following criteria:
• is age 18 or older;
• is a Canadian citizen;
• has been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months;
• is a resident of the Northside Community Recreation Service Area and,
• is not disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or any other act.
A non-resident property elector who meets all of the following criteria is also an eligible elector:
• is not a resident of the Northside Community Recreation Service Area;
• is age 18 or older;
• is a Canadian citizen;
• has been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months;
• has been a registered owner of real property within the Northside Community Recreation Service Area for at least 30 days;
and,
• is not disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or any other act.
NOTE: In the case of multiple owners of a parcel, only one of the owners may vote as the non-resident property elector for that parcel with the authorization of a majority of the remaining owners. Properties owned in full or in part by corporations are not entitled to vote.
Mail Ballot Voting
If you wish to vote by mail, you must submit the following information in writing to the qathet Regional District office in person or by mail to 202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC, V8A 2L2, or by email to vote@qathet.ca:
1. Full name;
2. Residential address;
3. Address of the property in relation to which you are voting (for non-resident property electors);
4. Method of delivery of your mail ballot package:
(a) pick up at qathet Regional District office;
(b) regular letter mail through Canada Post to residential address; OR
(c) regular letter mail through Canada Post to an alternate address provided when requesting the mail ballot package; and
5. To ensure you receive the correct registration application form in your package, you must indicate whether you are going to be registering as a resident or non-resident property elector.
6. Provide an email address or phone number to contact you at, should there be an issue with your submission.
Once your application to vote by mail ballot is approved the mail ballot package with instructions will be issued to you.
Please note: for applications received after Friday, April 21, 2023, time will not permit issuing the ballot package via mail, and the voter must arrange to pick up a package from the qRD.
Voters are responsible for returning the completed package to the qathet Regional District. To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00 pm on Saturday, May 6, 2023. It is your responsibility to deliver or post the mail ballot in sufficient time for delivery to the qathet Regional District, at 202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC. V8A 2L2.
Questions or concerns regarding this project can be directed to Michelle Jones, Corporate Officer, via email at vote@qathet.ca or by calling 604-485-2260.
Background information
Media Releases |
March 16, 2023 – Additional donations pledged to support Lund Community Centre addition |
February 23, 2023 – Anonymous donation pledged to support Lund Community Centre addition |