Dear editor,

I am surprised to see the Comox Valley Regional District is using the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to effectively circumvent the regular municipal election process to approve what many citizens consider expensive and overreaching projects.

After reviewing the individual bylaws on the CVRD website, I fail to see the urgency for these projects, with the possible exception of the Union Bay Fire Hall. The Alternative Approval Process appears to be the electoral equivalent of 鈥渘egative option billing,鈥� the abusive practice formally misused by TV cable companies to augment their revenue.

The CVRD should conduct a formal ballot measure at the time of the next municipal elections to allow all voters of the Comox Valley the opportunity to properly evaluate the proposed schemes and have their voice heard. Are the planned projects properly in the lane of municipalities, or is this a provincial matter?

The CVRD makes a debatable claim the AAP provides 鈥渋ncreased engagement and transparency,鈥� when in fact the majority of Comox Valley residents are not provided with a direct vote on the activities of the CVRD. 

It looks like the CVRD is trying to sneak one past the citizens who may not be paying attention.

This process is how democracy dies.

Brian Hayes
Comox