East Gwillimbury electoral review coming to a hall near you

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 16, 2016
Simon Martin

The East Gwillimbury electoral review is coming to a place near you.

Consultants Dr. Andrew Sancton and Dr. Timothy Cobban released their preliminary report on the town’s electoral review earlier this week. The report touched on switching to a ward-based system, using ranked ballots in municipal elections, increasing the size of council and electing a deputy mayor.

“The most important and fundamental decision that needs to be made for the East Gwillimbury electoral system is about whether to maintain the current at large system,” the report stated. 

The consultants did not endorse a ward system or an at-large model and said the issue is a matter of community preference. They did, however, lay out what a potential ward system in East Gwillimbury would look like with two wards in Holland Landing, one in Sharon, one in Queensville, one in Mount Albert and one labelled rural.

The report goes on to say that if East Gwillimbury believes it currently has the ideal resident to councillor ratio, then an increase in the number of councillors will be needed at some point in the future to keep up with the town's growing population.

Residents will get a chance to have their say about the town’s future electoral system at public consultations being held in the coming weeks.

The first one is in Mount Albert at the Ross Family Complex on Monday, Sept. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. That is followed by one at the Holland Landing Community Centre on Monday, Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m., Harvest Hills Activity Centre on Tuesday Oct. 4, 6 to 8 p.m. and the Civic Centre in Sharon on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

An online survey will also be available for residents of East Gwillimbury to share their views from Sept. 26 to Oct. 6. 

According to the report, the success of this electoral review depends greatly on active and thoughtful participation from the community.

A final report will be delivered to council in November. For more information about the electoral review or to read the preliminary report visit eastgwillimbury.ca.