The City of Ottawa is reviewing its ward boundaries. The first round of consultations resulted in five options presented to Council. During council’s July 15th meeting, a sixth option was requested of the consultant to address population increases in two communities – Barrhaven and Orleans, while considering the existing boundaries as they exist. This new Option 6 closely resembles Option 2.
The City is currently seeking public feedback on the six options for re-aligning Ottawa’s wards. The feedback is being requested through an online survey at ottawa.ca/wardboundary being available from August 19 until September 25. Also, virtual public consultation sessions have been scheduled from September 10 to September 23, 2020.
Ottawa’s suburban population has grown increasingly since the last major review in 2005. The result being, population imbalances between suburban and rural wards affecting equal and fair representation for both the community and voters.
An independent consultant was hired in 2019, at the request of City Council, to lead an unbiased and detailed review to establish new boundaries that could be used in upcoming election years.
The proposed ward boundaries can be viewed at ottawa.ca/wardboundary. The six suggested boundaries were developed by consulting team Beate Bowron Etcetera Inc., in collaboration with The Davidson Group and Hemson Consulting Ltd. Below are some short options that have been suggested:
– Option 1 increases the number of wards to 25, with 13 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards.
– Option 2 increases the number of wards to 24, with 12 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards.
– Option 3 maintains the current number of wards, 23, and includes 11 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards.
– Option 4 also maintains the number of wards at 23. It also includes 11 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards. The boundaries for each ward are different than those in option three.
– Option 5 reduces the number of wards to 17, with nine urban wards, six suburban wards and two rural wards.
– Option 6 increases the number of wards to 24, with 12 urban wards, nine suburban wards and three rural wards. It minimizes ward boundary changes.
The Finance and Economic Development Committee will consider the final report prepared, including the input received from the second round of consultations, as well as Council members in December, 2020.
Your feedback is important and integral to these ward boundary changes as they affect you directly. Provide your feedback or questions to ottawa.ca/wardboundary where you can also register to participate in the upcoming virtual consultation sessions that will address urban, suburban and rural sectors of the city.
Ottawa seeking feedback on ward boundary review
