Huntsville council voted unanimously to merge the wards of Chaffey and Huntsville for the 2026 election.
During the Sept. 9 council meeting, Tanya Calleja, Director of Legislative Services and Town Clerk, presented a report with options to address the inequity of Council representation by population in Chaffey Ward.
Huntsville is divided into six wards and according to the report, Chaffey ward is currently represented by one councillor.
“Chaffey ward specifically, has continued to grow in population at a rate greater than other wards. The imbalance is becoming unmanageable for one representative,” says Calleja.
She adds the cost is minimal for the pairing and the communication materials.
Chaffey councillor Cory Clarke said the pairing is the “easiest and simplest way to make a change.” He adds the pairing will equal 55 per cent of total voters.
“It’s a large number, so it would create some challenges. But I think the positives will outweigh the challenges both for the public and the councillors that are involved in the paired ward,” says Clarke.
Council agreed unanimously and directed staff to prepare a by-law to reflect the merge of Chaffey and Huntsville wards with two councillors.
