East Gwillimbury decision to move to ward system garners mixed reviews

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 27, 2017
By Simon Martin

Difficult decisions rarely are unanimous. When East Gwillimbury council voted 3-2 last week to move to a ward system and to add two councillors for the 2018 election, the split vote reflected some disagreement in the community. While many were in favour of the move to a ward system, many also voiced their displeasure with council's decision.

"With no compelling reason to (move to wards), we are not putting ourselves at risk by deferring this decision to future council," Holland Landing resident Doug Leitch said.

He also believed with the town's robust future growth it could lead to changing wards potentially as often as every term for the next 20-30 years. That would cost the town a lot of time and money and also would be confusing for voters, he said.

Sharon resident Leif Holmvall voiced his displeasure with the survey the town conducted because it gave residents no choice for the status quo. "The town has already made up their mind," he said

He wasn't the only one. Anonymous comments in response to the town's recent survey made it very clear that a portion of the population was not in favour of the decision. Here's a sampling of the responses. "Don't want a ward system. No more councillors"; "I prefer all at-large"; "It seems ridiculous to make such changes before the population warrants it"; "Current system is satisfactory and there is absolutely no reason that any additional council members are required."

There is also strong support for a ward system especially in Mount Albert where they were left without a resident on council this term after Coun. Cathy Morton ran for mayor in 2014 and lost. "The move by Council is the right one in a time of growth and expansion for the Town and I am proud of our local politicians who aren't afraid of change," Jeffrey Kelso said. "As it stands now Mount Albert is the suburb of suburbia with no voice at council."

"This new ward system will be good to ensure we have representation at the table," Mount Albert resident Jennifer Chamberlain-Mackey said.

The hybrid option council chose as the preferred option going forward is a three-ward model with two councillors in each ward. Ward 1 would encompass the vast majority of Holland Landing and run from Bathurst Street to 2nd Concession and from the town's southern boundary to Holborn Road. Ward 2 would encompass most of Queensville and Sharon and run from 2nd Concession to Hwy. 404 and from the town's southern boundary to Holborn. Ward 3 would consist of the rest of the municipality, featuring Mount Albert and the rural areas.

A total of 250 people responded to the latest town survey that presented three different ward options. The responses painted a muddy picture, with no option garnering more than 31 per cent support.

The change to the electoral system can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board within 45 days of being passed. For the changes to be effective for the 2018 election, a bylaw must be enacted and appeals concluded by Dec. 31.