Performing Arts Facilities Service Establishment AAP
Download the Elector Response Form [PDF/197KB]
Overview
At the October 8, 2025 Board meeting of the Capital Regional District ("CRD"), the following bylaw received three readings:
Bylaw No. 4704 [PDF/116KB] "Performing Arts Facilities Service Establishing Bylaw No. 1, 2025”, to authorize the establishment of a new Performing Arts Facilities Service for the purpose of operating and funding regional performing arts facilities.
Bylaw Synopsis
Bylaw No. 4704 [PDF/116KB] would establish a new Performing Arts Facilities Service for the purpose of operating and funding regional performing arts facilities within the Capital Regional District. This includes planning, development, capital improvements, theatre rental subsidies, and operating costs. The funding, operating, equipping, and maintaining of the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse services will transition to the new Performing Arts Facilities Service over time. The new service will also provide contributions to other performing arts facilities with regional impact.
The maximum amount that can be requisitioned annually for the service is three million dollars ($3,000,000) or an amount equal to the amount that could be raised by a property value tax rate of $0.0171 per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of the net taxable value of the land and improvements within the service area.
Participating area approval for Bylaw No. 4704 will be obtained for the entire proposed Performing Arts Facilities Service area by Alternative Approval Process. The Alternative Approval Process applies to all electors in the Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area and all municipalities of the Capital Regional District, including Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, and View Royal.
Please note that this synopsis of Bylaw No. 4704 is not intended to be or understood as an interpretation of the bylaw. A copy of the complete bylaw [PDF/116KB] and this notice may be viewed at Capital Regional District offices located at 625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays).
For more information on the proposed Performing Arts Facilities Service, please see Frequently Asked Questions [PDF/164KB].
Alternative Approval Process
The CRD may proceed with Bylaw No. 4704 unless at least 31,574 electors (constituting 10% of the eligible electors), within the proposed Performing Arts Facilities Service area, indicate they object by signing the elector response form, that the Board must obtain the assent of the electors by way of an assent vote (referendum) before proceeding to adopt Bylaw No. 4704.
The Alternative Approval Process applies to the electors within the proposed Performing Arts Facilities Service area which is comprised of the Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area and all municipalities of the Capital Regional District, including Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, and View Royal.
For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions on the Alternative Approval Process.
Elector Response Forms [PDF/197KB] may be obtained online or at the CRD Headquarters, 625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays) until 4:30 pm on Monday, March 30, 2026.
Deadline for Submitting an Elector Form
The deadline for submitting signed elector response forms [PDF/197KB], in relation to Bylaw No. 4704, to the CRD is 4:30 pm on Monday, March 30, 2026. Forms must be received by the deadline to be counted.
Completed form may be submitted by hand (during regular business hours) or by mail to 625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1R7, or scanning a legible, signed copy that can be emailed to legserv@crd.bc.ca.
Elector Qualifications
Requirements for Resident Electors: You are entitled to submit an elector response form as a Resident Elector if you are 18 years or older on the date of submission of the elector response form, are a Canadian citizen, have resided in British Columbia for at least 6 months and currently reside in the proposed Performing Arts Facilities Service area (i.e. Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area, Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, and View Royal) prior to signing the elector response form.
Requirements for Non-Resident Property Electors: You may submit an elector response form as a Non-Resident Property Elector if you are 18 years or older on the date of submission of the elector response form, are a Canadian citizen, have resided in British Columbia for 6 months, have owned and held registered title to property in the proposed Performing Arts Facilities Service area (i.e. Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area, Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, and View Royal) for 30 days and do NOT qualify as a Resident Elector. If there is more than one registered owner of the property (either as joint tenants or tenants in common) only one individual may, with the written consent of the majority, submit an elector response form.
