Proposed changes to ward boundaries would see some addresses moved to neighbouring wards. (Ron Quaroni/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Lines crossed

Municipal electoral boundaries to change

Sep 16, 2019 | 11:29 AM

A P.A. city councillor is concerned about proposed changes to ward boundaries.

“The big issue is cutting Midtown in half. Midtown is a very engaged and a very tight knit community,” Ward 3 Coun. Evert Botha told paNOW.

The city redraws the ward boundaries to account for population changes every three election cycles. To ensure residents have an equal voice in municipal politics, rules stipulate the population count in each ward must stay within 10 per cent of the average.

Ward 2 saw the biggest population change, and now has 21.5 per cent fewer people than the city average, meaning its boundaries will be enlarged. The map released by the city shows the ward expanding one to two blocks South and two blocks East, taking it from First Ave. E. to Third Ave. E.

A map of electoral wards shows current boundaries in green and proposed boundaries in red. (supplied/City of P.A.)

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Botha’s residence which currently falls within Ward 3, would be moved to Ward 2. City councillors must live within city limits, but do not have to reside in the ward they represent. Botha said he would continue to run in Ward 3 in the November 2020 election, however he has reservations about the changes.

“It’s more about the splitting of Midtown into two than me being included or excluded in the community,” he said. “I mean I’m connected to the community… for us with everything we’ve achieved over the last three years, it’s important to keep that boundary and keep that community intact.”

Ward 2 Coun. Terra Lennox Zepp said she was “quite comfortable” with the proposed map.

“The changes appear to be in keeping the existing the boundaries as similar as possible but still adapting to changes in population,” she said.

The city will hold a public hearing on the changes at city hall on Oct. 2. Residents can also submit feedback online, by mail or in a drop-box in the city hall foyer.

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Alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Alisandstrom