It is vitally important that we vote in the referendum on November 27, and that we vote “YES”.
This referendum is the chance of our lifetimes to bring high quality, reasonable cost internet, television and telephone services to Denman and Hornby Islands. A “Yes” vote will accomplish this in three ways. It will: allow CVRD to enter this service area; let CVRD borrow about $770,000 to help pay installation costs for fibre-optic service to our islands; and agree to repay this loan over 10 years by a modest charge on our annual property taxes (about $40 per $500,000 assessment). Our approval of the referendum will allow CVRD to obtain the loan, execute an agreement under which the ISP CityWest Communications (owned by the City of Prince Rupert) will install the fibre throughout our islands: and contract to take 20 percent of the net income from CityWest’s operations on our islands and place this income in a fund for the exclusive use of our islands. In order to do all of this, we must vote “Yes” in the referendum.
General voting will occur from 8am to 8pm on Saturday, November 27 on Denman at the Seniors Centre, or on Hornby at the New Horizons Seniors Hall.
If you are not sure you will be able to vote on November 27, there are 3 other options for recording your vote.
- Mail-in Voting
Residents of Denman and Hornby can request a mail ballot package from CVRD by filling in an online request at https://www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/sites/default/files/docs/application_to_vote_by_mail_fillable_electronic_form.pdf
or by contacting the Legislative Services Department of CVRD at (250) 334-6000 or elections@comoxvalleyrd.ca. The mail ballots may be returned by mail or in person at CVRD or at the voting places, but must be received before the close of voting on November 27.
- Advance Voting
On Wednesday, November 17, from 8am to 8pm, it will be possible to cast ballots at the CVRD office, 770 Harmston avenue in Courtenay.
- Special Voting
On Wednesday, November 24, there are voting opportunities at the following times/places:
- On Denman, from 9-12 am at the Seniors Centre
- On Hornby, from 2-5 pm at the Community Hall
There is no need to pre-register to vote. Voters must bring 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) that prove who they are and where they live. Picture identification is not necessary.
All residents of Denman and Hornby Islands can vote if: they are 18 years or over; are Canadian citizens; they declare they have been resident on these islands for the last 30 days and in BC for the last 6 months.
Non-residents of Denman and Hornby Islands can vote if: they have owned real property on these Islands for the last 30 days; have resided in BC for the last 6 months; and are Canadian citizens aged 18 years or over.
These referendum rules are simple – please make sure you vote – “YES”.
Hornby/Denman Internet Committee
“The Hornby Denman Internet Committee thanks the Island Grapevine for their civic minded discount in support of these public information articles.”
(This Notice is authorized by HICEEC, registered sponsor under LECFA, karen@hiceec.org)
