The most recent Strathcona Regional Director’s meeting on Dec. 13 raised concerns about access to democratic processes like the Alternative Approval Process (AAP).
The recent AAP that took place for all residents within the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) ended on Jan. 2. If passed, it would approve an SRD managed regional housing service that would be allowed to borrow up to $10 million dollars to establish.
Director Mawhinney of electoral area C, Quadra Island, first raised the issue of the AAP process applied to the SRD Housing Service proposal. The director shared concerns from constituents about the lack of a digital option to participate, considering the physical distance from the SRD office to many of her constituents.
Director Whalley of electoral area A also pointed to the challenges of relying on “snail mail” as well as the internet and agreeing that the issue was one of “fairness.”
SRD Staff Tom Yates commented that a digital alternative may be expensive and pointed to identity fraud as a concern for using email or other digital processes.
Find out more on this democratic participation process, listen to the CKTZ News update.
