Image credit - CFJC Today

By Michael Reeve

AAP PROCEDURE

Ahead of public submissions, KCU outlines concerns with proposed AAP policy changes

Jul 16, 2025 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops city council has begun the work of formalizing a policy around future Alternative Approval Processes (AAP).

The proposed alternative approval process policy aims to tackle issues beyond those already outlined in the community charter by which the city must follow.

“To establish the process to determine the number of electors, how elector forms will be accepted, and how an elector can withdraw a form should they wish,” said Denise Anderson, Deputy Corporate Officer for the city of Kamloops.

AAP policies have been established in a number of municipalities in B.C., as they become a more common method of getting public approval. Kamloops is also taking it a step further than most.

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“Electors could electronically sign the elector response form. So that would be something new that wasn’t accepted last time. And this is in accordance with the electronic transmissions act,” stated Anderson.

The proposal came forward the same day council officially approved the borrowing bylaws for the first two Build Kamloops projects. Those AAP approved projects were unsuccessfully challenged in court by KCU (Kamloops Citizens United).

“Justice Groves in last years AAP case said the city’s use of the process raised a degree of skepticism and concern by many, and warned that taxpayers expect a referendum when major debt is involved,” said KCU member Coley Ecker. “Rather than responding to his advice, the city is rewriting the rules to justify their actions after the fact, and protecting themselves moving forward.”

Overall, Kamloops Citizens United believes the changes don’t go nearly far enough towards full transparency.

“The bylaw still allows for large borrowing proposals with minimal public awareness and no requirement for a referendum, the most direct and democratic way to gage public support. For decision involving tens or hundreds of millions that isn’t good enough,” added Ecker. “One step in the right direction though is they are allowing residents to submit opposition forms electronically.”

“The city appears to have used the backlash to formalize and strengthen the very processes that allow them to bypass meaningful consultation in the first place,” said Kathrine Wunderlich, KCU member.

Before the policy can be considered for adoption by council, public submissions from interested parties will be heard at the July 29th meeting of council. That is when KCU will present their concerns to council for their consideration, in the hopes of stirring further debate and possible changes.

While KCU acknowledged that AAPs will not come to an end, with the province fully supporting their use, they did outline a few steps they believe would improve transparency, including mailed notices for projects over $50,000,000, materials that lay out pros and cons for the projects, and the city should aim to reach two-thirds of residents.