Chronology

Thu, November 24, 2005

By FREE PRESS STAFF



Following is a history of London's ward system and a chronology of events leading to this week's decision by the Ontario Municipal Board:

1970 and earlier:

London introduces a seven-ward structure with a pie-shaped pattern.

1993:

The city establishes a temporary ward to represent newly annexed areas, most of which was the former town of Westminster. It is named Ward 8. Former Westminster mayor Ben Veal is appointed councillor for the ward.

1994:

In November, after the municipal election, the city reverts to seven wards, eliminating the temporary Ward 8.

1996:

A committee of citizens recommends council retain the existing ward structure. Council concurs.

2002:

In May, a city councillor requests a review of the city's structure, in particular of whether to terminate board of control and move to a 10-ward structure with one full-time councillor per ward.

In June, council agrees to a review for the 2003 election. It asks board of control to identify a process for the review and develop questions for the 2003 municipal ballot. After debate, two questions appear on the ballot: Are you in favour of reducing the present 19-member size of council? Are you in favour of abolishing board of control?

Dec. 11, the city solicitor gives board of control a report indicating that for the questions to be binding under the Municipal Elections Act, at least 50 per cent of voters must vote on the question and more than 50 per cent of the votes must be in favour.

2003:

In the November municipal election, only 32 per cent of voters vote on the questions. The vote on the first question is 76 per cent in favour while 55 per cent vote in favour on the second question.

2004:

In April, the chamber of commerce recommends maintaining board of control and reducing the number of councillors per ward to one. It also recommends the number of wards remain at seven or be increased to 10.

2005:

On April 14, the city starts another review. A committee comes up with several options for changing the size of council and number of wards.

On May 17, the committee recommends to council that the existing structure be maintained. Later in May, a committee of citizens led by UWO professor Steve Trosow circulates a petition under Section 223 of the Municipal Act, asking the city to pass a bylaw to redivide the city into 14 wards with one councillor per ward. It also suggests board of control be eliminated. The committee produces a map showing the proposed ward boundaries, known as the Imagine London boundary map.

On June 13, council receives the petition with more than 900 signatures. In a 10-8 vote, council votes to retain the status quo. After the meeting, the citizen group files a complaint with the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

Oct. 10-13, the citizens' group argues at the OMB hearing that city council violated its rules when it voted without debate June 13.

Tuesday, the OMB orders the city to scrap its seven-ward system with two councillors in each ward and replace it with single councillors in 14 smaller wards