Victoria, BC– In October, south Galiano Island residents are invited to vote on whether to support borrowing of $2.4 million to construct a new fire hall which will serve participants in the South Galiano Fire Protection and Emergency Response service area. The Capital Regional District (CRD) is holding a referendum to assess public support to authorize an amendment to the service establishment bylaw and a loan authorization bylaw.

The wording of the bylaw questions for the purposes of the ballot will be as follows.

Are you in favor of the Capital Regional District Board adopting both of the following bylaws:

• Bylaw No. 4240 “South Galiano Fire Protection and Emergency Response Service Establishment Bylaw No 1, 1993, Amendment Bylaw No. 3, 2018” authorizing the Capital Regional District to increase the maximum annual requisition so that it will be the greater of FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($470,000)or $1.157 per ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000) of net taxable assessed value of land and improvements for the purposes of funding the annual costs for the service, including operating costs and costs to design and construct a new fire hall on south Galiano Island and permit the recovery of annual costs for the service by way of a parcel tax in addition to the current requisition; and
• Bylaw No. 4239 “South Galiano Island Fire Hall Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1,2018” authorizing the Capital Regional District to borrow an amount not to exceed TWO MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,400,000) for the purpose of designing and constructing a fire hall on south Galiano Island.

YES or NO?

The referendum will be carried out in tandem with local elections, with opportunities to vote by mail or during advance and general voting days.

Referendum Details: General Voting Day

• Date: Saturday, October 20
• Time: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Location: Galiano Lions Hall, 992 Burrill Road, Galiano Island

Advance Voting Days for Assent Voting:

• Date: Wednesday, October 10 and 17
• Time: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Location: Galiano Lions Hall, 992 Burrill Road, Galiano Island

Mail ballot voting will be available October 4, 2018 to electors who:

• Have a physical disability, illness or injury that affects their ability to vote at another voting opportunity, or

• Expect to be absent from the regional district on general voting day (Saturday, October 20, 2018) and at the times of all advance voting opportunities (Wednesday, October 10 and 17, 2018)

For information on the south Galiano Island referendum, visit: https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/how-we-are-governed/elections-other-voting/south-galiano-fire-hall.

For information on mail ballot voting visit: https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/how-we-are-governed/elections-other-voting/voting-opportunities-mail-ballot-voting

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.

-30-

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