Community Articles
General News · 26th April 2024
Elaine Popove
CORTES ISLAND DOG CONTROL SERVICE FAILS TO GAIN SUPPORT
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) initiated an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) on February 28, 2024 for Bylaw No. 522 which proposed to establish a dog control service for Cortes Island.
The elector response period ran for 47 days in total and closed on April 15, 2024. A total of 221 electors (23%) responded to the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to oppose the establishment of the Cortes Island dog control service. Under the Alternative Approval Process, approval of the electors is denied if the number of valid elector responses received is at least 10 percent of the number of electors within Electoral Area B - Cortes Island (961 people).
The results confirm that the Board may not proceed with the adoption of Bylaw No. 522 without first obtaining approval of the electors by assent voting (referendum).
“The dog control initiative was initially brought to the Board’s attention last year by a petition containing over 100 signatures from Cortes Island residents,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “The petition called upon the SRD to enact measures to control dogs on Cortes Island in response to instances of aggressive and threatening dogs. The proposed bylaw was the first step in determining what kind of regulations would have been appropriate for Cortes Island.”
For more information about the Cortes Island Dog Control Service Alternative Approval Process, please visit www.srd.ca/cortes-dog-control-aap.
BACKGROUND
An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is used to gauge support and obtain legislative approval from electors for a bylaw, agreement, or other initiative. An AAP is favoured due to its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional voting.
If adopted, Bylaw No. 522 would have authorized the Regional District (by separate bylaw) to regulate or prohibit activities related to dogs that are deemed to be contrary to the public interest. Proposed Bylaw No. 522 limited the amount that can be raised through annual property taxation to the equivalent of $0.03 per $1,000 of property assessments.
MEDIA CONTACT
Tom Yates - SRD Corporate Services, Senior Manager 250-830-6704 tyatessrd.ca
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) initiated an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) on February 28, 2024 for Bylaw No. 522 which proposed to establish a dog control service for Cortes Island.
The elector response period ran for 47 days in total and closed on April 15, 2024. A total of 221 electors (23%) responded to the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to oppose the establishment of the Cortes Island dog control service. Under the Alternative Approval Process, approval of the electors is denied if the number of valid elector responses received is at least 10 percent of the number of electors within Electoral Area B - Cortes Island (961 people).
The results confirm that the Board may not proceed with the adoption of Bylaw No. 522 without first obtaining approval of the electors by assent voting (referendum).
“The dog control initiative was initially brought to the Board’s attention last year by a petition containing over 100 signatures from Cortes Island residents,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “The petition called upon the SRD to enact measures to control dogs on Cortes Island in response to instances of aggressive and threatening dogs. The proposed bylaw was the first step in determining what kind of regulations would have been appropriate for Cortes Island.”
For more information about the Cortes Island Dog Control Service Alternative Approval Process, please visit www.srd.ca/cortes-dog-control-aap.
BACKGROUND
An Alternative Approval Process (AAP) is used to gauge support and obtain legislative approval from electors for a bylaw, agreement, or other initiative. An AAP is favoured due to its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional voting.
If adopted, Bylaw No. 522 would have authorized the Regional District (by separate bylaw) to regulate or prohibit activities related to dogs that are deemed to be contrary to the public interest. Proposed Bylaw No. 522 limited the amount that can be raised through annual property taxation to the equivalent of $0.03 per $1,000 of property assessments.
MEDIA CONTACT
Tom Yates - SRD Corporate Services, Senior Manager 250-830-6704 tyatessrd.ca