On May 27th, 2024, Chatham-Kent Council approved a review of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Council composition and ward boundaries.
The goal of the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review is to ensure the Municipality can provide an effective and equitable system of representation for all residents.
Chatham-Kent has grown and evolved since the current ward boundaries were drawn 25 years ago at amalgamation. This review will aim to design a Council and ward boundary structure that considers the Chatham-Kent of today and expected population growth through the 2026 and 2030 elections.
The Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review will examine:
1) the size and structure of Council
2) how Councillors are elected
3) the electoral ward boundaries for the Municipality
The Review will consider the overriding principal of “effective representation” including representation by population, current and future population through the 2026 and 2030 elections, communities of interest, and physical boundaries and geography of Chatham-Kent.
Recommendations from the Municipality’s professional consultant, StrategyCorp, are expected in December 2024, but Council will have the final say on implementing any changes based on the report.
The public will have opportunities to provide input and feedback through two initial public engagement sessions:
- August 22 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre – 6-8pm – Meeting Room 1A
- August 28 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre – 6-8pm – Meeting Room 1A
The in-person meetings will be live streamed over our municipal Facebook and YouTube channels. In-person attendance will be capped at 150.
There will also be a survey going live on August 22 on the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review Let’s Talk Page (linked below).
For more information on this Review and how you can get involved, visit https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/council-composition-and-ward-boundary-review
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Media Contact:
Eric Labadie
Manager, Corporate Communications
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 2039
ericl@chatham-kent.ca
