The Town of Gravenhurst is undertaking a ward boundary review which could see the current five ward system changed.
Jack Ammendolia, managing partner at Watson and Associates, was part of two information sessions at the Gravenhurst Centennial Centre last Friday.
He explains how the current system sees five councillors elected for each ward along with all registered voters choosing a mayor and three district councillors. Ammendolia says this system has been in place since the last boundary review in 2010.
“Things have changed over time,” he continues, pointing out how they estimate Gravenhurst’s population at 14,324, which is a jump from the 12,055 listed in the 2011 Canadian census.
Ammendolia explains how they find the optimal population for each ward by dividing the overall population by the current number of wards. He says any ward within five to 25 percent is acceptable.
He estimates the optimal population for each ward would be around 5,000, however, none are within the acceptable range.
Jonathan Gilston, deputy clerk for the Town of Gravenhurst, says, through feedback, it could be determined nothing needs to be changed or they could recommend adding more councillors, change the boundaries, or even have Gravenhurst council decided by all residents, rather than by ward.
He adds a virtual session will be held on Tuesday, July 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Anyone interested in attending can join through EngageGravenhurst.ca.
“Hopefully, by the end of the year, we’ll have a determination on how council will look,” says Gilston.
