Refused to reject? That’s an odd way of saying it.

They did a counter-petition.





In order to borrow the money, it needs voter approval and to do that it’s using what is called the Alternative Approval Process (AAP).

Global News spoke with several Kelowna residents who were either unaware the city was going through an AAP right now or were unaware on how it works.

“I heard about it on the news with you guys,” said Kelowna resident Glenna Turnbull. “I am very against it; I think it is ridiculous. I wanted to download the form, but I don’t have a printer so I couldn’t.”

“An Alternative Approval Process? I do not know what that is,” said Kelowna resident Jules Ke. “If it was advertised to me in a more concise matter, instead of me just finding out about it now, I believe I would vote yes.”

“No, I’ve never heard of that,” said Kelowna resident Thea White. “I do support, though, expanding and upgrading the recreational centres.”

https://globalnews.ca/news/10000567/deadline-for-kelowna-voters-to-oppose-241m-loan-fast-approaching/amp/

The AAP is a more-or-less underhanded way for governments to get what they want without actually getting public consent. It's neck-and-neck with BC's recall legislation for the most unwieldy public input process. Transparency that isn't transparent.

I think for sure it typically requires an active campaign to get it to succeed. If nobody takes up that mantle, it fails.

Johnson Street Bridge here, and City Hall in Ladysmith examples.