Ward Boundary Review

Updated: March 16^th, 2021

Interim Report Available Now!          

On Tuesday, February 16^th, StrategyCorp presented their Interim Report to Council. The report presented the findings of the first round of consultations, and made preliminary recommendations to Council.

A copy of the full Interim Report can be found here.

Phase 1 Public Consultations are Closed

From January 18^th to February 9^th, the Town conducted an online survey and held three virtual public meetings to solicit feedback on current electoral and council structure, existing ward boundaries and priorities in designing future wards.

 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 objective of the Review is to endure 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 required 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

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

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.

All materials are available in alternate format, upon request.