Skip to content

Why don't people targeted for annexation get to vote?

Dear editor, Re: City of Courtenay — Annexation of Beaver Meadows Farm.

Dear editor,

Re: City of Courtenay — Annexation of Beaver Meadows Farm.

I agree totally with Don Munroe's reasons (Courtenay sprawling into country (Record, Oct. 31) for the citizens of Courtenay to be against the City's proposed annexations.

However, I also have an additional problem regarding the Beaver Meadows Farm annexation. I wonder why only residents of the City of Courtenay are allowed to vote against this annexation.

Surely those citizens currently living in the regional district and adjacent to, or close by, the proposed annexation and who will certainly be affected much more than anyone else, should be allowed to vote. It is simply unreasonable not to to be allowed to vote when we are far more affected than practically anyone living within the present boundaries of the City of Courtenay.

To the City of Courtenay: Please give us an explanation of why, when a significant portion of our area is being threatened, are we not going to be allowed to vote on this annexation?

M. Pratt,

Area B

Editor's note: The letter writer makes an excellent point. The answer to the question is that affected rural residents do not get to vote about an annexation due to provincial legislation. If you disagree with this, direct your concern to your MLA and/or the minister of community, sport and cultural development (currently Bill Bennett).