Norcross raises notion of ward boundary review

Posted March 5, 2013

A battle fought in 2009 that ended with the increase of council to 10, elected in eight wards, and mayor and deputy mayor at-large, in time for 2010 elections, could be rekindled for the 2014 campaign following Ward 6 councillor Richard Norcross' request last night to look into whether a review of the wards was required.

The ward review issue was an added item by Mr. Norcross to last night's agenda.

"Last term of council when we realigned the wards we were going to look at whether or not we were successful in dividing up the population and territory," he said. "And I believe we were going to do it in this term of council to see where we're at and if it was effective and if changes needed to be made. (...) I can't remember where we left it off, but I know we did promise that we would come back and visit it again."

Mayor Mike MacEachern said he believed a review would come after one full cycle - which would put it following the 2014 election.

Staff was directed to come back with a report on the process, and whether there are any factors that would trigger its immediate review. In terms of growth, the numbers haven't changed much in Wards outside of Alliston. There has been no new growth in Beeton or Tottenham at any level to have altered those populations. However, there has been more build-out north of Victoria Street, and it's probable that if any changes were made, boundaries would be readjusted in the north end's four wards.

And while secondary plans are approved to double the populations of Beeton and Tottenham, construction isn't anticipated to begin until after the next election.

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