This project is now closed to feedback. Thank you to everyone who participated.

PROJECT UPDATE (October 5, 2020):

On October 5, 2020 City Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 23M2020 to implement ward boundaries (see approved map here). This means that City Councillor candidates elected to office in the October 18, 2021 General Election will represent constituents within the new ward boundaries.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the public engagement was to gather input from Calgarians to inform the Returning Officer’s independent recommendations to Council on proposed ward boundary changes. Ward boundary changes are governed by the Ward Boundary Determination and Review Policy. As part of its review of ward boundaries, The City determined that Wards 3, 7 and 12 have population deviations and Ward 5 has an elector count deviation inconsistent with the Policy. The City conducted a review and included public engagement on proposed changes considered by Council.

Participants were invited to provide feedback on the scenarios in relation to the criteria used for developing them.

On 2019 October 21 in Report C2019-1195 Council directed the Returning Officer to conduct a minor review of ward boundaries and present ward boundary recommendations in June 2020 for Council's consideration. The review will be conducted in accordance with the Ward Boundary Determination and Review Policy. The Ward Boundary determination and Review Policy directs The City to consider some criteria when developing scenarios for new ward boundaries. These were identified through the development of the policy as being the most important factors to address when creating new boundaries.

Total Population

All calculations will be based on the total population from the most recent civic census. The total population is intended to be relatively equal between the wards and based on allowable deviation from the mean population.

Total Electors

All calculations will be based on the total number of Electors from the most recent Provincial data. The total Elector count is intended to be relatively equal between the wards and based on allowable deviation from the mean total Elector count.

Deviation

The allowable deviation from the mean population or total Elector count is +/- 15%. The maximum allowed deviation is +/- 25%.

Natural or Physical Boundaries

Wherever possible, the ward boundaries will be easily identifiable to the public by utilizing natural or physical boundaries such as major roadways, escarpments, rivers, parks, etc.

Future Growth

The potential for growth in each ward over the next ten (10) years will be considered.

Communities of Interest

Wherever possible, ward boundaries will ensure communities with common interests or sharing a common roadway access are kept within the same ward.

Community District Boundaries

Wherever possible, the ward boundaries and The City developed Community District Boundaries will coincide.

Community Association Boundaries

Wherever possible, Community Association boundaries will also be given consideration, but it must be noted that these boundaries are not controlled by The City and can change at the decision of the communities involved.

Block Shaped Wards

Wards are to be relatively block shaped.

How will the ward boundary review process stay neutral?

The engagement process follows Council’s Engage Policy (CS009/PFC2013-0235), which recognizes that decisions are improved by engaging citizens and other stakeholder groups where appropriate. The City Clerk's office commits to conducting a transparent and inclusive engagement processes that is responsive and accountable.

How will citizens benefit from the changes to ward boundaries?

A ward boundary maintains equitable representation by Councillors across the city. To achieve equitable representation, each ward should have a similar population. As cities grow or people move to developing parts of the city, the deviation in population between wards will increase. In order to adjust for variances in population between wards, ward boundaries must change.

What's wrong with the current boundaries?

In preparation for the next election, The City has reviewed population counts in all the wards and recommended that adjustments be made to better balance the population counts in each ward.

Which wards will be changed?

Wards 3, 7 and 12 have population deviations and Ward 5 has an elector count deviation inconsistent with the Ward Boundary Determination and Review Policy. However, in order to adjust the population counts, parts of other wards might be shifted, so additional wards may be impacted.

How do new boundaries get decided?

The Ward Boundary Determination and Review Policy directs The City to consider some criteria when developing scenarios for new ward boundaries. The criteria include things like total population, natural or physical boundaries, future growth, and community boundaries.

What does a ward boundary review do?

The City is conducting a Minor Review which includes creating new ward boundary scenarios that test out different ways the wards can be re-balanced. There will be public engagement on the drafted scenarios and then a final recommendation on new ward boundaries will be brought for Council consideration in the summer.

How will The City use my feedback?

The purpose of the public engagement is to engage Calgarians in a manner that will help inform the Returning Officer’s ward boundary recommendations to Council. Participants are invited to provide feedback on ward boundary scenarios to the Returning Officer.

When will the ward boundary changes take effect?

The new ward boundaries will come into effect for the 2021 General Election.

Will my current Ward Councillor change?

The new ward boundaries will take effect for the October 2021 General Election, so it is unknown if the current Ward Councillor will change at this time.

Will the size of Council change following the ward boundary review?

The ward boundary review assumes City Council will continue to be represented by 14 Ward Councillors (one for each ward) and the Mayor (who represents the City as a whole).

Who prepared the ward boundary scenarios?

The two ward boundary scenarios were prepared by the Returning Officer, the City’s independent electoral officer.