Victoria, BC – The Capital Regional District (CRD) has announced an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) will be conducted for a community safety service on Salt Spring Island. The CRD Board endorsed creation of a Salt Spring Island community safety service at their September 11 meeting, with the goal of funding community programs across the electoral area.

Establishment of any new CRD service requires voter approval of a bylaw defining the mandate and maximum tax requisition for the service. With Provincial approval secured, the AAP (“counter petition”) has been initiated. Elector response forms in relation to Bylaw No. 4325 must be received by 4:00pm on Monday, December 9, 2019 to be counted.

“There is a gap in our services on Salt Spring and this is an opportunity to prioritize and advance community safety initiatives and programs,” said Gary Holman, Electoral Area Director. “If voters approve the service, we will work with community stakeholders to determine how the funding will be spent.”

Due to increasing vandalism and public mischief in Ganges, Director Holman and CRD staff consulted with the public and interested groups, such as the Salt Spring Island Chamber of Commerce, the non-profit Community Services Society, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The community desired a formal and ongoing vehicle for funding community safety initiatives.

The service’s maximum requisition is proposed to be $65,000, about 1% of the total budget for Salt Spring Island. If established, the funding would be available for initiatives across the island. Proposed uses include partnering with community groups on security and safety services, such as Citizens on Patrol and speed watch programs; working with the community to encourage crime prevention investments; partnering with the Province to enhance RCMP services focused on community safety and community policing; assisting street outreach services to divert individuals from street entrenchment; and funding advisory, information sharing and strategic planning functions of community groups in this area. The proposed first year budget is $35,000.

For more information, please visit www.crd.bc.ca/ssisafetyaap.

Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492