PUBLIC NOTICE is given as follows:
Assent voting will be held on the following question:
“Are you in favour of the Regional District of Nanaimo adopting Ravensong Aquatic Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, which will authorize the Regional District of Nanaimo to borrow up to thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) in order to finance the Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion?”
The voting area for this assent voting is the City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, and Electoral Areas E, F, G and H of the Regional District of Nanaimo.
SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 1921
Bylaw No. 1921 - “Ravensong Aquatic Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1921, 2024” - The general intent of this bylaw is to authorize the Regional District of Nanaimo to borrow up to thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) in order to finance the Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion and to acquire all such real property, easements, rights-of-way, licenses, rights or authorities as may be requisite or desirable for or in connection with the Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion. The maximum term for which debentures may be issued to secure the debt created by this bylaw is 20 years. The area subject to the bylaw is the Regional District of Nanaimo District 69 Swimming Pool Local Service Area (the City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, and Electoral Areas E, F, G, and H).
The above synopsis is not an interpretation of the bylaw. The full bylaw may be inspected on the Regional District of Nanaimo website at rdn.bc.ca/Ravensong-Referendum, and at the following locations:
- Regional District of Nanaimo, Administration Office at 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
- City of Parksville, City Hall at 100 Jensen Avenue East, Parksville, during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
- Town of Qualicum Beach, Town Hall at 201 – 660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, during regular office hours, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
For further information on the bylaw or the assent voting process, please contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officers by phone at 250-390-4111, toll free at 1-877-607-4111 or email at vote@rdn.bc.ca.
VOTING DATES AND LOCATIONS
GENERAL VOTING DAY for eligible electors will be held on:
Saturday, April 5, 2025 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:
ADVANCE VOTING for eligible electors will be held as follows:
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 and Wednesday, April 2, 2025 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Qualicum Beach Community Hall, 644 Memorial Avenue, Qualicum Beach
ELECTOR REGISTRATION
If you are not on the list of electors, you may register to vote at the time of voting by completing the application form available at the voting place and making a declaration that you meet the requirements to be registered as set out below:
RESIDENT ELECTORS:
To register as a resident elector, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day; and
- Be a Canadian Citizen; and
- Be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
- Be a resident of the municipality or electoral area; and
- Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law.
NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:
To register as a non-resident property elector, you must:
- Not be entitled to register as a resident elector of the municipality or electoral area; and
- Be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day; and
- Be a Canadian Citizen; and
- Be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
- Be a registered owner of real property in the municipality or electoral area for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and
- Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law.
In addition, for non-resident property electors:
- The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.
- If more than one person is the registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.
Note: Corporations cannot vote.
In addition, for RESIDENT ELECTORS AND NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS in order to register at time of voting:
Resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.
Non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners.
TYPES OF DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE ACCEPTED AS IDENTIFICATION
You must produce at least two (2) documents that provide evidence of your identity and place of residence, at least one (1) of which must contain your signature. The following classes of documents will be accepted:
a) a Driver’s Licence;
b) an Identification Card such as
i. a photo BC services card;
ii. a non-photo BC services card;
c) an Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by ICBC
d) a BC CareCard or BC Gold CareCard;
e) a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8, (now Monthly Form EA181);
f) a Social Insurance Number card or confirmation of Social Insurance Number letter issued by the government of Canada;
g) a Citizenship Card;
h) a real property tax notice;
i) a credit card or debit card; or
j) a utility bill, (such as electricity, natural gas, water, telephone or cable services).
The above listed identification documents MUST be accepted by election officials. An election official may also accept other forms of documents that provide evidence satisfactory to the election official (e.g., a valid, current passport).
MAIL BALLOT VOTING
The Regional District of Nanaimo will include Mail Ballot Voting as part of the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Assent Voting (Referendum). Eligible electors in the City of Parksville, Town of Qualicum Beach, or Electoral Areas E, F, G or H of the Regional District of Nanaimo can register to vote and cast a ballot by mail.
REQUESTING A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE
If you would like to vote by mail, you can request a mail ballot package by submitting an Application to Vote by Mail to the Regional District of Nanaimo Administration Office at 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N2 by the deadline of 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Applications can be obtained by contacting the Regional District of Nanaimo Administration Office at the above address or by calling 250-390-4111, toll free 1-877-607-4111, or by emailing vote@rdn.bc.ca or by downloading the form from the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Referendum webpage on the Regional District of Nanaimo website at https://rdn.bc.ca/2025Ravensong-mail-ballot-voting. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail to the above address, by fax to 250-390-4163 or by email to vote@rdn.bc.ca.
Upon receipt of a complete application, your name will be added to the list for mail ballot packages. The Regional District of Nanaimo will send you a mail ballot package or advise you that it is ready to be picked up as soon possible.
If you apply to vote by mail after Monday, March 24, 2025, please contact the Chief Election Officer by phone at 250-390-4111, toll free at 1-877-607-4111, or email at vote@rdn.bc.ca as special arrangements may be necessary due to time constraints. Applications will not be accepted after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Important Deadline
As provided in the Local Government Act, a mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer before the close of voting (8:00 p.m.) on general voting day (Saturday, April 5, 2025) in order to be counted for the assent voting (referendum). It is your responsibility to deliver or post the mail ballot in sufficient time for delivery to the Regional District of Nanaimo Administration Office at 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6N2 by the deadline.
More information on Mail Ballot Voting is available on the Regional District of Nanaimo website at rdn.bc.ca/2025Ravensong-mail-ballot-voting.
For further information on the matters contained in this Notice, please contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officers by phone at 250-390-4111, toll free at 1-877-607-4111 or email at vote@rdn.bc.ca.
