The Community Charter prescribes two methods by which a local government may seek approval of the electors. These are Assent of the Electors, which is approval by voting, or Alternative Approval Process which allows a Board to proceed with an action unless at least 10% of the electors state their opposition within a prescribed period. If at least 10% of the electors state their opposition to the proposed action, the matter requires the Assent of the Electors if the Board wishes to proceed. The Alternative Approval Process under the Community Charter replaces the Counter Petition Opportunity under the Local Government Act that some may have been familiar with.

There is presently one Alternative Approval Process opportunity - Shawnigan Village Water System (link in left column).