The reasoning behind the OMB's decision

Thu, November 24, 2005

By JOE BELANGER, FREE PRESS CITY HALL REPORTER



The OMB has ordered the city to replace its seven-ward, two-councillor system with a 14-ward, one-councillor system because:

- The current pie-shaped ward system spreading from the core may favour the "communities of interest" in the more heavily populated suburbs at the expense of other "communities of interest."

- Despite evidence from city staff that problem areas -- such as the downtown and Old East Village -- are making strides at revitalization, the board said the fact those areas are still struggling indicates "years of inaction" by city councils.

- A theme the board heard "over and over again" is that the "common everyday person found (it) too complex, too cumbersome and too difficult to understand."

- The board heard no support for the existing system at a session open to the public to make comment.

- The city waited for more than a year after the November 2003 municipal election to start a review of council structure and "because of this delay, it may not be possible for the city to implement the board's decision for the 2006 election."

- The board is convinced the existing ward structure has undermined city council's ability to connect with its citizens.

- Ward elections are expensive and difficult because of the size and populations.