Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review

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Consultation has concluded

The Municipality of North Perth has engaged Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. and Dr. Robert J. Williams to conduct a comprehensive review of its Council composition and ward boundaries. This review is being undertaken to ensure an effective and equitable system of representation in advance of the 2026 municipal election.

The review will begin with a thorough evaluation of both the present composition of Council and the wards for electing those Councillors as the basis for developing possible alternative ward boundary configurations Information will be presented to residents in a consultation process. This consultation process will include multiple in-person and virtual community information sessions.

Phase One Decisions

At its meeting of July 10, 2023 Council received the Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. Council Composition & Ward Boundary Review Phase One Report (available under Reports and Documents) and provided the following direction with respect to Phase Two of the review:

  • the election of the Deputy Mayor at-large;
  • the election of the County Councillor at-large; and
  • the election of up to eight councillors in single-member wards.

Results from Phase Two of the review and final ward boundary options will be presented to Council at the November 20, 2023 meeting.

The Municipality of North Perth has engaged Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. and Dr. Robert J. Williams to conduct a comprehensive review of its Council composition and ward boundaries. This review is being undertaken to ensure an effective and equitable system of representation in advance of the 2026 municipal election.

The review will begin with a thorough evaluation of both the present composition of Council and the wards for electing those Councillors as the basis for developing possible alternative ward boundary configurations Information will be presented to residents in a consultation process. This consultation process will include multiple in-person and virtual community information sessions.

Phase One Decisions

At its meeting of July 10, 2023 Council received the Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. Council Composition & Ward Boundary Review Phase One Report (available under Reports and Documents) and provided the following direction with respect to Phase Two of the review:

  • the election of the Deputy Mayor at-large;
  • the election of the County Councillor at-large; and
  • the election of up to eight councillors in single-member wards.

Results from Phase Two of the review and final ward boundary options will be presented to Council at the November 20, 2023 meeting.

Consultation has concluded

We want to answer questions you have about the Council composition and ward boundary review. Ask us a question and we’ll share the answer.  

  • Share Can we make all of the 4 Listowel wards into one big ward with 4 councillors instead of splitting Listowel into 4 different wards? And have 3 other wards for the rural areas on Facebook Share Can we make all of the 4 Listowel wards into one big ward with 4 councillors instead of splitting Listowel into 4 different wards? And have 3 other wards for the rural areas on Twitter Share Can we make all of the 4 Listowel wards into one big ward with 4 councillors instead of splitting Listowel into 4 different wards? And have 3 other wards for the rural areas on Linkedin Email Can we make all of the 4 Listowel wards into one big ward with 4 councillors instead of splitting Listowel into 4 different wards? And have 3 other wards for the rural areas link

    Can we make all of the 4 Listowel wards into one big ward with 4 councillors instead of splitting Listowel into 4 different wards? And have 3 other wards for the rural areas

    Greg asked over 2 years ago

    The direction to the Consultant Team for the Ward Boundary Review specifically requested options that elect councillors “in single-member wards.” The idea of wards that elect a uniform number of Councillors is derived from the equality provision of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada in relation to ensuring that there is relative parity of voting power among electors. 

    As noted in the July 10 Phase 1 report to Council (p. 13), the present ward arrangement in North Perth is not equitable since some residents have three votes to cast for ward councillors while others have only two.  An option in which the majority of electors in North Perth would each have four votes available to cast for Councillors while a minority (who also happen to be rural residents) would each have only one vote to cast for Councillors is an even less equitable arrangement

  • Share North Perth residents currently only vote for representative(s) of their own ward but any councillor can make decisions that affect any ratepayer within North Perth equally. Why can't any ratepayer vote for ALL persons running for council. There only needs to be a requirement (or opportunity) to have a certain number representing each ward. i.e. 3 from Listowel, 2, from Elma, 1 from Wallace and a Mayor and Deputy Mayor voted in from any of the 3 wards. on Facebook Share North Perth residents currently only vote for representative(s) of their own ward but any councillor can make decisions that affect any ratepayer within North Perth equally. Why can't any ratepayer vote for ALL persons running for council. There only needs to be a requirement (or opportunity) to have a certain number representing each ward. i.e. 3 from Listowel, 2, from Elma, 1 from Wallace and a Mayor and Deputy Mayor voted in from any of the 3 wards. on Twitter Share North Perth residents currently only vote for representative(s) of their own ward but any councillor can make decisions that affect any ratepayer within North Perth equally. Why can't any ratepayer vote for ALL persons running for council. There only needs to be a requirement (or opportunity) to have a certain number representing each ward. i.e. 3 from Listowel, 2, from Elma, 1 from Wallace and a Mayor and Deputy Mayor voted in from any of the 3 wards. on Linkedin Email North Perth residents currently only vote for representative(s) of their own ward but any councillor can make decisions that affect any ratepayer within North Perth equally. Why can't any ratepayer vote for ALL persons running for council. There only needs to be a requirement (or opportunity) to have a certain number representing each ward. i.e. 3 from Listowel, 2, from Elma, 1 from Wallace and a Mayor and Deputy Mayor voted in from any of the 3 wards. link

    North Perth residents currently only vote for representative(s) of their own ward but any councillor can make decisions that affect any ratepayer within North Perth equally. Why can't any ratepayer vote for ALL persons running for council. There only needs to be a requirement (or opportunity) to have a certain number representing each ward. i.e. 3 from Listowel, 2, from Elma, 1 from Wallace and a Mayor and Deputy Mayor voted in from any of the 3 wards.

    GGM asked almost 3 years ago

    The Municipal Elections Act states that if a municipality is divided into wards, an elector is entitled to vote only in the ward where he or she resides. As part of this review, we will be looking at the optimal size of North Perth Council and what is the optimal number of wards. Your feedback is appreciated and will be taken into consideration as the consultants develop their recommendations.

  • Share Where do I fill out the online survey ? on Facebook Share Where do I fill out the online survey ? on Twitter Share Where do I fill out the online survey ? on Linkedin Email Where do I fill out the online survey ? link

    Where do I fill out the online survey ?

    richard asked almost 3 years ago

    The survey can be filled out here. The survey will be open until June 23rd, 2023.