Council composition and ward boundary review

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We’re reviewing Guelph’s Council composition and ward boundaries to understand if our wards and Council representation is effective, equitable and an accurate reflection of who lives here.

This review will have a lasting impact on how you’re represented at the municipal level, now and into the future.

We need your help to answer some big questions about how you are represented:

• Is our Council the right size?

• Should we have full-time or part-time Councillors?

• Should Councillors be elected in a ward system, at-large, or a combination of both?

• Do we need to redraw our ward boundaries to keep our democracy healthy?

If you can, please read the short background documents on each of these topics: study overview, current electoral system, at-large or wards, full or part time councillors, size of council and ward structure. They contain definitions and explanations and comparisons with other cities of similar size in Ontario.

In keeping with the City’s Community Engagement Framework and in response to physical distancing restrictions, public meetings cannot be held in person so citizen involvement has expanded the use of online tools and telephone. Citizens are encouraged to participate in multiple ways, such as:

  • Interact online through this survey and the other website features such as Q&A, Ideas, video, and shared documents.
  • A live-streamed panel discussion scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 6:00pm.
  • The panel discussion will be streamed live on the City's Facebook page and recorded for future viewing and possible re-broadcast on Rogers Cable TV.
  • Dedicated dates for residents to call after hours and speak with someone from the City Clerk’s office.
  • Citizens are also welcome to write a letter to the City Clerk's Department in the good old fashioned way.

On this site you can:

  • Ask questions and get answers;
  • Review background information;
  • Register to keep in touch;
  • Share your ideas; and,
  • Make recommendations.

In Phase 1 we are looking at the “Composition of Council” which refers to the number of elected representatives on the City Council and how they are elected, not counting the Mayor. The role of Mayor is not proposed to change and is not under review.

We are looking at Council Composition first because this will determine the number of wards that we will use in Phase 2, the Ward Boundary Review. Early in 2021, there will be another round of consultation on the ward boundary options.

We’re reviewing Guelph’s Council composition and ward boundaries to understand if our wards and Council representation is effective, equitable and an accurate reflection of who lives here.

This review will have a lasting impact on how you’re represented at the municipal level, now and into the future.

We need your help to answer some big questions about how you are represented:

• Is our Council the right size?

• Should we have full-time or part-time Councillors?

• Should Councillors be elected in a ward system, at-large, or a combination of both?

• Do we need to redraw our ward boundaries to keep our democracy healthy?

If you can, please read the short background documents on each of these topics: study overview, current electoral system, at-large or wards, full or part time councillors, size of council and ward structure. They contain definitions and explanations and comparisons with other cities of similar size in Ontario.

In keeping with the City’s Community Engagement Framework and in response to physical distancing restrictions, public meetings cannot be held in person so citizen involvement has expanded the use of online tools and telephone. Citizens are encouraged to participate in multiple ways, such as:

  • Interact online through this survey and the other website features such as Q&A, Ideas, video, and shared documents.
  • A live-streamed panel discussion scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 6:00pm.
  • The panel discussion will be streamed live on the City's Facebook page and recorded for future viewing and possible re-broadcast on Rogers Cable TV.
  • Dedicated dates for residents to call after hours and speak with someone from the City Clerk’s office.
  • Citizens are also welcome to write a letter to the City Clerk's Department in the good old fashioned way.

On this site you can:

  • Ask questions and get answers;
  • Review background information;
  • Register to keep in touch;
  • Share your ideas; and,
  • Make recommendations.

In Phase 1 we are looking at the “Composition of Council” which refers to the number of elected representatives on the City Council and how they are elected, not counting the Mayor. The role of Mayor is not proposed to change and is not under review.

We are looking at Council Composition first because this will determine the number of wards that we will use in Phase 2, the Ward Boundary Review. Early in 2021, there will be another round of consultation on the ward boundary options.