Seeking approval from City of North Vancouver electors for bylaws allowing the City to borrow funds for projects that provide essential services and amenities.
When cities need to borrow funds or seek approval on critical matters outside of an election year, an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) can be held to put questions to electors. An AAP can be used for a variety of matters, including borrowing money for a project, establishing new municipal services, or adjusting parkland dedications.
About the Current AAP
City of North Vancouver is seeking approval of the “North Shore Neighbourhood House and City Parks Loan Authorization Bylaw, 2024, No. 9006” (“the Bylaw”) to obtain $55.7 million of low interest debt financing from the Municipal Finance Authority of BC.
These funds will help build the following:
- A new North Shore Neighbourhood House (NSNH), currently situated at 225 East 2nd Street. The NSNH currently offers a wide range of essential community services including childcare, youth and seniors’ programs, recreational and wellness programs, and food security programs. Their current building was constructed in 1967 and is nearing end of life. The new NSNH is part of a joint use facility comprising overall site redevelopment. This proposal would fund the construction of the NSNH, while providing 180 units of non-profit rental housing, which would be funded by a non-profit housing developer.
- The construction and design of two City-owned Parks (Kings Mill Walk Park and 1600 Eastern Park) that will provide critical outdoor spaces to the residents of our City.
- In March 2022, Council endorsed a comprehensive plan for Kings Mill Walk Park. The goal of this plan is to renew and improve the waterfront park to support the changes coming to the Harbourside neighbourhood, enhance connections to nature, address climate adaptation and to meet the community’s needs for recreation and wellbeing. Construction of the park is anticipated to start in 2024. For more detailed information please visit the project page: cnv.org/KingsMill
- A new neighbourhood park will be constructed at 1600 Eastern Avenue. The park plan reflects the needs of the East Central Lonsdale neighbourhood and provides new programming opportunities for the community. Construction of the new park is anticipated to start in 2024. For more detailed information, please visit the project page: cnv.org/1600EasternPark
For more detailed information on the North Shore Neighbourhood House Redevelopment Project, please visit the project page: North Shore Neighbourhood House Site Redevelopment.
Attend an Info Session to learn more about the current AAP and connect with staff. Translation will be available in Farsi, Tagalog, English and French.
- City Hall Lobby | Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- North Vancouver City Library | Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Who Can Participate?
Any individual who qualifies as a Resident Elector and Non-Resident Property Elector are eligible to participate in an Alternative Approval Process.
Resident Electors
As a resident elector, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older; and
- Be a Canadian citizen; and
- Have been residing in British Columbia for the last 6 months; and
- Currently reside in the City of North Vancouver;
- Not be disqualified by the Local Government Act, or any other enactment, or otherwise disqualified by law from voting in local government elections; and
- Not have previously signed an Alternative Approval Process Response Form for this Bylaw.
Corporations, businesses and permanent residents of Canada (landed immigrants) who have not yet become Canadian Citizens are not resident electors.
Non-Resident Property Electors
Non-resident property electors are individuals who own property in the City and live elsewhere in B.C. You must:
- Be 18 years of age or older; and
- Be a Canadian citizen; and
- Have resided in British Columbia for at least 6 months; and
- Be a non-resident property elector who lives in another community and have been the registered owner of real property in the City of North Vancouver for at least 30 days; and
- Be the sole registered owner of the real property or hold it with joint tenants or tenants in common, all of whom are individuals who do not hold the property in trust for a corporation or another trust; and
- Be the only individual claiming non-resident elector status in respect to the real property; and
- If the registered owner of the real property with other individuals, then have the written consent of the majority of the other property owners on title to oppose this Bylaw; and
- Not be disqualified by the Local Government Act, or any other enactment, or otherwise disqualified by law from voting in local government elections; and
- Be entitled to sign this Alternative Approval Process Response Form and not have previously signed an Alternative Approval Process Response Form for the proposed Bylaw No. 9006.
Squamish Nation Residents
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) residents living on Reserve on Eslhá7an (Ustlawn – Mission 1 Reserve) are eligible to participate. For more information, review the Provincial Voter’s Guide for Electors Living on Reserve.
How to Submit a Response Form
Please begin by reviewing the current AAP details. If you are in favour of the adoption of the bylaw, no action is required.
If you are opposed and are an eligible resident or non-resident property elector of the City of North Vancouver, download, print, and fill out your corresponding AAP Elector Response Form, and submit it by the deadline of April 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
We cannot accept electronic, faxed or emailed forms.
Submit completed AAP Elector Response Form by one of the following methods:
Mail
Mail in your form to City Hall
Attn: Corporate Officer, City Clerks Office
North Vancouver City Hall
141 West 14th Street
North Vancouver, BC V7M 1H9
In-Person Options
City Hall Drop Box
Submit your response form by dropping off your form in one of the 24-hour drop boxes at City Hall, located at both the 13th St. and 14th St. entrances.
Gateway Counter at City Hall
Response forms can be submitted in person at the Gateway Counter at City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The deadline to submit forms is April 22, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Process
Why is City of North Vancouver using an AAP instead of Assent Voting (Referendum) to seek approval of the electors?
There are several options to seek electoral approval outside of elections in British Columbia: through an AAP or through Assent Voting (formerly known as a referendum). AAP is a less expensive and less complicated option than Assent Voting, and can be used whenever the legislation requires the City to obtain permission from the electors.
Can elector response forms be submitted electronically?
No. Elector response forms must be submitted via mail to the address on the response forms or in person at City Hall.
How will the results of the AAP be communicated to the public?
Following certification of the results by the Corporate Officer, the results will provided to Council in a report and posted to the City’s website.
Whom can I contact for more information on the AAP process?
If you have questions about the process, please contact us by email at clerks@cnv.org or by phone at 604-990-4233.
The public are invited to attend two information sessions during the AAP process if they have questions about the process or require language access to participate. Translation support will be available in Farsi, Tagalog, and French.
- City Hall Lobby | Wednesday, March 27 | 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- North Vancouver City Library | Saturday, April 13 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
A comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions document is available here.
If you have questions about anything here, please contact us by email at clerks@cnv.org or by phone at 604-990-4233.