TIMMINS - The makeup of Timmins council was put back up for public discussion this week, and we want to know where you stand on it.
A report is being drafted to take a look at the current ward boundaries and consider options to change them. While creating that report is the only item approved by council so far, we wanted to check in with residents to learn your preference for the system. The poll is at the bottom of this story.
Three main options are being considered:
- A model with north, south, east and west wards, with two councillors representing each.
- An election at large — where councillors and the mayor would be voted for by all residents.
- Sticking with the existing system.
City council currently consists of nine people — the mayor is elected at large (by all residents), and there is one representative each for Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3, and Ward 4. Four councillors are elected to represent Ward 5.
SEE: Timmins taking another look at ward boundaries
In the last election, the number of people on the voting list in each ward was:
- Ward 1 - 5,638 people
- Ward 2 - 2,158 people
- Ward 3 - 1,383 people
- Ward 4 - 3,279 people
- Ward 5 - 16,292 people
Over the years, there has been public discussion about changing the ward system. The last time the question made the election ballot was over 20 years ago.
In the 2003 municipal election, voters were asked, 'Are you in favour of elections at large as opposed to the current ward system?'
It saw 9,212 people vote no and 7,494 people vote yes. There was a 55 per cent voter turnout that year, with 18,567 of the 33,728 people eligible to vote casting a ballot.
A 2015 KPMG report laying out the pros and cons of changes to the system can be read here.
Vote on your preference below:
