• Develop a clear understanding of the present ward structure. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the present system and explore alternative options.
• Develop and conduct an appropriate consultation process in accordance with the Town’s public engagement practices in light of the present public health emergency.
• Prepare population projections to 2030 and evaluate alternative electoral structures for the 2022, 2026 and 2030 municipal elections.​​
  
• Write and deliver a report that will set out council composition recommendations and alternative ward boundaries to ensure effective and equitable electoral arrangements for the Town.

The objective of the review is to evaluate the suitability of the present council composition and wards in terms of the guiding principles and to develop alternative designs that are consistent with these principles.

Effective Representation

• When defining effective representation as the right protected by the Charter, the Supreme Court of Canada noted that the relative parity of voting power was a prime, but not an exclusive, condition of effective representation. Deviations can be justified where the consideration of other factors, such as geography, community history, community interests and minority representation, would result in a legislative body that was more representative of Canada’s diversity. According to the Court, considering all these factors provides effective representation.

Representation by Population

• Voters should be equally represented, and wards should have reasonably equal population totals. Voter parity should be the goal of ward boundary reviews (WBRs).
  
• Population size variances of between plus or minus 25 per cent are generally accepted as the maximum variance to achieve voter parity.
  

Representation of Communities of Interest

• The Carter decision recognizes that the protection of communities of interest may justifiably override the principle of voter parity where the inclusion of a community of interest will lead to a system that is more representative of the Town’s diversity. The Court did not define what constitutes a community of interest; however, it has been understood in Ontario Municipal Board appeals to recognize historical settlement patterns or existing neighbourhoods and to include social, historical, economic, religious, linguistic or political groups.

Population & Electoral Trends

• WBRs should consider future changes in ward population. Being mindful of anticipated population trends will ensure that a ward and its residents are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged because of development activity throughout the Town. WBRs should take into consideration anticipated changes in population over a period of twelve years, or three elections.

Geographical and Topographical Features as Boundaries

• Ward boundaries will be drawn impartially and with consideration to using distinct physical and geographic features. Physical features should be leveraged as they create pre-existing boundaries that ​naturally divide Town residents and may facilitate the effective representation of the ward’s residents.
  

Task 1: Project Initiation, Information Gathering and Research
At the outset of the study process, members of the consultant team conferred with key municipal staff to discuss details of the proposed consultation, the scope of the project activities, deliverables and the draft schedule for the project. The consultant t​eam will also undertake research on the present and historical electoral arrangements in BWG, as well as relevant academic and public policy research on representation.

Task 2: Interviews with the Mayor and Members of Council
Interviews will be conducted to understand and evaluate the operation of the current electoral structure and to determine what directions might be considered in developing recommendations.

Task 3: Compilation of Existing and Forecast Population, and GIS Data Modelling
Using latest development data, discussions with Town planning staff and growth projections data, utilize geographic information systems (GIS) software to represent existing 2020 population, forecast growth (2020 to 2030), and future year population in a spatial format.

Task 4: Public Consultation (Round 1)
Public consultation is a valuable part of the WBR and will be conducted in a format consistent with physical distancing protocols being enforced during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Round 1 consultation is intended to inform the public on the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review process and the guiding principles detailed in the Terms of Reference for the project. Opportunities will be provided to permit participants to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the current system (including the overall number of elected officials), the guiding principles and their relative importance for consideration in the development of alternatives, including the identification of communities of interest. Responses from participants will be collected through a survey available on the Town website and in other appropriate formats; the input received from the consultation will inform the development of the preliminary recommendations and ward boundary options.

Task 5: Evaluation of the Existing System
The degree to which the current configuration is effective and equitable based on the guiding principles will be evaluated.

Task 6: Development of Preliminary Ward Boundary Alternatives
A number of preliminary ward boundary alternative configurations will be developed for the Town. Each alternative will be developed and evaluated in terms of the guiding principles identified.

Task 7: Public Consultation (Round 2)
Following the format for Round 1, the consultant will seek public perceptions of the preliminary alternatives based on a draft report. Responses from participants will be collected through a survey available on the Town’s website and in other appropriate formats; the input received from the consultation will inform the development of the final recommendations to be presented to Town Council.

Task 8: Finalization of Alternatives
Further analysis and evaluation of preliminary alternatives based on feedback will be conducted and alternatives will be finalized.

Task 9:​ Prepare Reports
A final report will be prepared which will present recommendations on council size and composition as well as finalized ward boundary alternatives and be presented to Town Council.