Winnipeg, MB – The 2017 Winnipeg Wards Boundaries Commission (WBC) has been established to review the boundaries and names of the 15 Council Wards in the City of Winnipeg, and will hold public hearings to allow residents and organizations to make submissions and comments on required changes to the current ward boundaries.
On February 24, 2016, Council directed the Public Service to establish the WBC in 2017. Members of the 2017 WBC are the Honourable Justice Mr. Ken Hanssen, Judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba, Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Winnipeg, and Marc Lemoine, Senior Election Official for the City of Winnipeg.
The City of Winnipeg Charter requires that the WBC occur at minimum once every 10 years to establish ward boundaries for each ward based on the City’s population, as determined by the latest Census, and other criteria set out in the legislation. According to 2016 Census data, South Winnipeg – St. Norbert Ward, St. Boniface Ward, and St. Charles Ward fall outside the acceptable population ranges for wards.
Changes to the ward boundaries will become effective at the close of the nomination period for the 2018 Civic Election, and would apply to all elected officials. The number of wards will not change as result of this review.
As part of the review, WBC is encouraging the public to provide feedback on any boundary or name changes. Feedback will be helpful to the WBC in formulating its recommendations.
Public hearings details:
Date: September 6, 2017
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Council Chamber, 510 Main Street
Date: October 5, 2017
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Jonathan Toews Community Centre, 1188 Dakota Street
Date: November 1, 2017
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Council Chamber, 510 Main Street
All persons are welcome to attend these public hearings, whether to make an in-person presentation to the commission, or simply to view the proceedings. Written submissions to the commission for those unable to attend the public hearings will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on October 5, 2017.
The public hearings will be live-streamed and accessible on the City’s website.
For more information, visit the 2017 Winnipeg Wards Boundaries Commission webpage or contact City Clerk’s by email.