Ward Boundary Review

Town of Grimsby - Ward Boundary Review

Updated: February 2^nd, 2021

We are extending our Phase 1 Public Consultations!

In response to community feedback, we are holding an additional virtual public meeting on Monday, February 8^th, 2021 at 7:00 – 8:30pm, and keeping the Public survey open until Tuesday, February 9^th, 2021.

To attend a virtual public meeting on either February 4^th or February 8^thplease register here.

To learn more, and to complete the online survey, visit www.letstalkgrimsby.ca.

Updated: January 18^th, 2021

Phase 1 Public Consultations are now Open!

From January 19^th to February 8^th, 2021 we are conducting an online survey and two virtual public meetings to get your input on Grimsby’s ward boundaries and council composition.

The first virtual public meeting will be on January 26^th , 2021 from 5:30pm - 7:00pm, and the second will be on February 4^th, 2021 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm.

Please visit www.letstalkgrimsby.ca to complete our online survey and for more information on how to sign up for our virtual public meetings.

On Monday, December 7^th, 2020 Council approved a review of the Town of Grimsby’s ward boundaries and Council composition in order to arrive at an effective and equitable system of representation with particular reference to projected growth within the municipality.

The review will consider the following principles:

Consideration of representation by population;
Protection of communities of interest and neighbourhoods;
Consideration of present and future population trends;
Consideration of physical features as natural boundaries; and
The overriding principle of “effective representation.”

Consideration of these parameters will follow the Guiding Principles of Effective Representation (see below) and provide options that accommodate projected growth through the 2022, 2026, and 2030 municipal elections. Any proposed changes are to be in place for the 2022 Municipal Election.

The Consultant will be responsible for conducting all aspects of the project including research, public consultation, formulation of options, and the preparation of the final report and recommendations for the consideration of Council.

Grimsby’s Council will then make a decision on whether or not to accept the Report recommendations.

Why a Ward Boundary Review

The Town of Grimsby has not had an independent review and a broad-based public consultation on its ward boundaries in 27 years, since 1993.

The object of the Review is to ensure that Grimsby’s ward boundaries, electoral structure, and Council structure continue to provide a system of effective and equitable representation for all residents.

How You Can Participate

Public input and feedback are key to the success of this Ward Boundary Review. This process will provide you with the chance to have a say in shaping local government and we encourage involvement from all residents.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions to facilitating any in-person public meetings, public participation will be requested via an online survey, as well as through virtual public meetings.

Follow our Let’s Talk Grimsby page at www.letstalkgrimsby.ca. There you will find more information on this review and all the ways you can stay up-to-date and participate.

You can also check this page regularly for updates and to find out when and how you can participate and provide your valuable feedback.

Project Timeline

Below are projected timelines for public consultation. Further information on specific dates and forums will be updated here.

Develop preliminary analysis

Develop preliminary analysis of ward boundaries; Conduct stakeholder interviews and prepare for public consultation

December to January 2021

Conduct Public Consultation 1

Conduct Public Consultation 1, which will review the size of council, form of election (wards or at large), and satisfaction with current ward boundaries

First Consultation Session: January 26, 2021 from 5:30-7:00 pm

Second Consultation Session: February 4, 2021 from 5:30-7:00 pm

Develop preliminary council structure and findings on wards

February 2021

Prepare and present Interim Report to Council

Prepare and present Interim Report to Council on preliminary council structure and set ward boundary options

February to March 2021

Conduct Public Consultation 2

Conduct Public Consultation 2, which will provide feedback regarding existing and future ward boundary options

March to April 2021

Develop preliminary recommendations on council structure and ward boundaries

April 2021

Prepare and present Final Report to Council

Prepare and present Final Report to Council on structure of council and ward boundary recommendations

May 2021

Guiding Principles of Effective Representation

The Ward Boundary Review will be guided by the overarching principle of “effective representation” as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in Reference re Provincial Electoral Boundaries which establishes the following guiding principles:

Representation by Population: wards should have relatively equal population totals. However, a degree of variation is acceptable given differences in geography and population densities as well as the town’s characteristics;
Population and Electoral Trends: consider anticipated population increases/decreases so that ward sizes will be balanced for up to three terms of Council;
Means of Communication and Accessibility: group existing neighbourhoods into wards that reflect current transportation and communication patterns;
Geographic and Topographical Features: use geographical and topographical features to delineate ward boundaries while keeping wards compact and easy to understand; and,
Community or Diversity of Interests: as far as possible, ward boundaries should be drawn around recognized settlement areas, traditional neighbourhoods and community groupings – not through them.

Resources

The approved Terms of Reference for the engagement can be found here.

Information on Grimsby’s current Electoral Wards and Boundaries can be found here.

Contact Us

You can email comments directly to wardboundary@grimsby.ca.