Calgary,
19
February
2020
|
09:25
America/Denver

City launches review of ward boundaries, seeking feedback

Calgary's Returning Officer is looking for feedback from Calgarians on two proposed ward boundary scenarios.

“A ward boundary maintains equitable representation by Councillors across the city,” said Laura Kennedy, Returning Officer. “I notified Council on Oct. 22, 2019 that I would be conducting a review of the ward boundaries.”

When there is a significant difference in representation among the wards, then the boundaries need to be revised. Wards 3, 7 and 12 were found to have population deviations (a deviation is the percentage difference from the average), and Ward 5 has an elector count deviation inconsistent with the Ward Boundary Determination and Review Policy.

“The process to review and change ward boundaries is outlined in the Ward Boundary Determination and Review Policy,” said Kennedy. “But as cities grow or people move to developing parts of the city, the deviation in population between wards will increase. In order to adjust for variances in population between wards, ward boundaries must change.”

The Returning Officer is asking for feedback on two proposed scenarios for new ward boundaries. The purpose of the public engagement is to help inform the Returning Officer’s ward boundary independent recommendations to Council.

“As Returning officer, I gather input into the scenarios, but no decision will be made until I have collected and reviewed all the feedback and respond to it in a public report to Council,” said Kennedy.

Calgarians can provide feedback online starting today, at an Open House on Feb. 24 at the Municipal Building, or stop by some pop-up engagement sessions throughout the city.

Interested Calgarians can go to engage.calgary.ca/wardboundaries to learn about the changes, provide feedback, and see all the locations for in-person feedback.

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Media Availability

Returning Officer Laura Kennedy will be available to speak to the media regarding the ward boundary review during the in-person open house

Date: Monday, February 24, 2020

Time: 12:00 noon**

Location: Calgary Power Reception Hall, Calgary Municipal Building

**Note: This availability will occur during the lunch break from the Council Meeting on that day, so exact start time might be delayed depending on when the lunch break occurs.