Alternative Approval Process (AAP) - Frequently Asked Questions

Answers

1. Why is the District holding an AAP for the Saanich Operations Centre Redevelopment Project Loan Authorization Bylaw, 2024, No. 10105?

   • The District of Saanich is undertaking an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to obtain electoral approval for "Saanich Operations Centre Redevelopment Project Loan Authorization Bylaw, 2024, No. 10105" to authorize the District to borrow up to $150,000,000 for the redevelopment of the Saanich Operations Centre. 
   • The borrowing will occur over several years and mirror the construction timeline.

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2. When is the AAP taking place?

   • The AAP is planned for May 21 to June 25.

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3. Why has the District of Saanich chosen to run an AAP rather than a referendum?

   • Saanich opted to host an AAP as opposed to a referendum to increase accessibility for residents. The AAP offers residents the chance to express their opinion and submit response forms over a 30-day period rather than during a fixed voting event.
   • Additionally, the AAP is a cost-effective and efficient way to gauge public opinion that is commonly used for existing essential services that require capital renewal. A referendum is a resource intensive process and is most often used to obtain electoral approval on new services. A referendum can also increase the timeline and costs of a project during a period when construction inflation is increasing 5-10% per year.
   • The costs associated with holding a community wide vote are significant, often similar to that of holding a general election.

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4. Why is borrowing required? Shouldn’t municipalities be required to spend within their means?

   • Borrowing helps municipalities manage large financial commitments without straining operational budgets, ensuring that essential infrastructure and services can be maintained and improved for current and future residents.
   • This strategy allows the District to spread the cost of the work over time and avoid sharp increases in year-over-year taxation to raise the amount required to sustain service delivery. 

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5. If I support Bylaw No. 10105, am I required to do anything?

   • No action is required if you support Bylaw No. 10105.

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6. How do I submit my Elector Response Form?

   Forms may be accepted in any one of the following ways:

   • Delivered in person at the Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Ave, during regular office hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding statutory holidays, or after hours if deposited into the 24-hour secure drop box at the entrance of the Municipal Hall.
   • By mail to: Corporate Officer, The District of Saanich, 770 Vernon Ave, Victoria BC, V8X 2W7.
   • By emailing a legible scanned copy to aap@saanich.ca.

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7. What happens if elector approval is not received via AAP?

   • If the bylaw does not receive elector approval via AAP the District may consider seeking elector assent via referendum, in accordance with the Local Government Act. Proceeding with a referendum would result in additional taxpayer costs.

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8. Can I withdraw my elector response form after I have submitted it?

   • Yes. You can contact Legislative Services before the deadline to request your form be returned. You can no longer withdraw your form once the AAP deadline has passed.

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9. How do I share my thoughts on the topic?

   • We encourage residents to share their thoughts on Saanich initiatives. You can email Council at council@saanich.ca. Your email will reach all nine Council members.

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10. I own a business in Saanich, can I submit a form?

    • Only resident electors and non-resident property electors may submit forms. Business owners may only submit a form if they meet the requirements as a resident elector or non-resident property elector. An elector may only sign one form in relation to an AAP. For example, if you submit a form as a resident elector, you may not also submit a form on behalf of an additional property. If you live outside Saanich but own property within Saanich, you may submit one form if you meet the requirements as a non-resident property elector.

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11. How are residents notified of an AAP?

    • The District is running a comprehensive communications campaign in the community, which includes but is not limited to public notices in local newspapers, social media promotion, email newsletters, posters at recreation centres, informational handouts available at the SOC, notices to community associations, updates on saanich.ca and HelloSaanich. 

    • The item was also considered at the special Council meeting, held May 5, 2025.

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12. How will the results of the AAP be communicated to the public?

    • Following the deadline for Elector Responses of 4:30 PM, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the Corporate Officer will determine and certify the results of the AAP to confirm whether elector approval has been obtained for Bylaw No. 10105. The Corporate Officer’s Certification will be included at a subsequent Council meeting with recommendations on the next steps – either to adopt the bylaw and proceed with long-term borrowing or to consider additional options if necessary. This section of the website will also be updated with the certified results of the AAP.

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13. What will the annual tax impact be for a residential property if Bylaw No. 10105 is approved via AAP?

    • If approved, the average homeowner will see a per year 0.85% tax increase for four years and is included in the previously approved debt servicing funding strategy. The 0.85% tax increase per year to the average homeowner over four years would be approximately $31.50 per year or $126 by the fourth year.
    • In addition, the average homeowner will experience:
    • a $3.60 per year increase for four years to their water utility bill;
    • a $4.00 per year increase for four years to their sewer utility bill, and;
    • a $1.70 per year increase for four years to their solid waste services utility bill.

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14. Why is it not possible for Saanich residents to submit their Elector Response Forms digitally?

    • The AAP responses cannot be submitted through a digital form due to legislative requirements and because it requires the elector responses to include a signature. 

    • This is consistent with Alternative Approval Processes carried out by other municipalities throughout B.C. 

    • The process is consistent with other processes with legislative requirements such as elections. 

    • The District of Saanich allows signed elector response forms to be submitted by email.

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15. Whom can I contact for more information on the AAP process?

    • For information on the AAP process, please contact the Legislative Services division at aap@saanich.ca or 250-475-5501.
    • For details on the financial aspect of the bylaw, contact the Finance department at budget@saanich.ca.
    • For project-specific information, please contact the Engineering department at engineering@saanich.ca. See also the SOC project page at saanich.ca/socplan.

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16. The current collective agreement between Canada Post and the union representing its workers expires May 22. If there is a Canada Post service disruption, will that affect the AAP deadline?

    • Forms that are not received at Saanich Municipal Hall by the deadline date due to the Canada Post service disruptions will not be counted.
    • Alternatives to mailing the form include:

    • delivered in person at District of Saanich Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Avenue, Attn: Corporate Officer, during regular office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. excluding statutory holidays), or after hours if deposited into the 24-hour secure drop box at the entrance of the Municipal Hall, or;
    • scanning a legible, signed copy and emailing it to aap@saanich.ca.  

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