City Council Agenda - November 26, 2012 - City of Guelph

they by-law was already in force). Typically, when considering changes to thecomposition of a council a comprehensive public engagement process isundertaken. The format for consultation is not legislated, however, due to thesignificant impacts related to compositional changes there is often a decision madeto poll the electorate by submitting a related ballot question on the ballot.The time required to undertake a council composition review would be dependentupon the process selected. Based on the fact that a compositional change wouldsignificantly impact the governance framework of a municipality, it is suggestedthat an associated review and approval process could take a year or longer in orderto complete.Ward Boundary ReviewGuelph City Council was elected through an at large method of election from 1929to 1988. A question appeared on the 1988 ballot which resulted in the electoratesupporting a transition to a ward system. Although the result of the referendumwas not binding, Council chose to modify the electoral system from 12 at largeCouncillors, to 6 wards represented by 2 Councillors. In 2006, the ward boundarieswere readjusted in order to ensure an equal distribution of voters and to reinforceeffective representation. The changes in 2006 were made in order to supportelector growth over the next several terms of office. In response to a question onthe 2006 ballot, 80% of the electorate voted in support of retaining the wardsystem. Based on a review of the final 2010 voters’ list, the elector distributionbetween the City’s 6 wards is considered to be fair and balanced.There are no statutory requirements with respect to the format or frequency ofconducting ward boundary reviews. Much like a council composition review,changes to ward boundaries should be considered by way of a comprehensiveassessment involving significant public consultation. Reviews are often guided byexternal consultants who are subject matter experts in electoral geography.Although the Act is silent on the format for a ward boundary review, it does indicatethat a by-law to alter the system must be in place a year prior to the precedingmunicipal election in which it is contemplated to take effect. That is to say, if wardboundary changes were contemplated for the 2014-2018 term of office, the by-lawwould need to be passed by December 31, 2013. Such a by-law is subject to anappeal process through the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). The legislated timingassociated with submissions and notice provisions constitutes roughly 2 to 3months. This does not include the time required for the OMB to consider any suchappeals which would be impacted by the number registered and the complexity ofthe arguments made therein. When considering this along with the time necessaryto undertake a related assessment a ward boundary review can take anywherefrom 6 months to a year in order to complete.Question on the BallotAs noted previously, prior to considering changes which would impact thegovernance framework, a decision is often made to survey the electorate by way ofsubmitting a question on the ballot. In order to place a question on the ballot theremust be at least one public meeting to allow for input with respect to the proposedPage 4 of 5CITY OF GUELPH COMMITTEE REPORT