The referendum held September 17, 2016 to determine whether the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) should establish a fire protection service for the Mount Washington resort community passed. The official results are as follows:
| Ballots Cast | |
| Yes | 102 |
| No | 19 |
Eligible voters had the ability to cast ballots on advance voting day, at a poll at Mount Washington on referendum day and by mail.
Those eligible to vote had to be 18 years of age or older, a Canadian citizen, a resident of BC for at least six months immediately preceding voting day, a resident or non-resident of Mount Washington for at least 30 days before voting (non-resident meaning property owner at Mount Washington community resort who resides elsewhere), and not otherwise disqualified by law from voting. There are an estimated 300 eligible voters in the Mount Washington resort community voting area and turnout for the referendum was approximately 40 per cent.
A local steering group and the CVRD conducted a detailed analysis of available fire protection service options. Based on this analysis, the CVRD is recommending a fire protection service with:
- A defensive firefighting service provided by way of service agreement with a Comox Valley-based fire department.
- Construction of a storage building/fire hall at Mount Washington on land currently owned by the CVRD for this purpose.
- The purchase of Mount Washington fire apparatus and equipment to be stored in the storage building/fire hall, and accessed by the contracted fire department.
The CVRD board will consider a report on the referendum results and will also consider adopting the service establishment bylaw and the loan authorization bylaw at its meeting on September 20, 2016.
For more information on the fire service project, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/mtwashingtonfireproject.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.