The never ending debate on the ward system was re-hashed on Monday evening at city hall.
Mayor Steve Black brought the discussion to council because he feels the system is antiquated, as the Wards were drawn up 40 years ago during amalgamation.
“In my opinion, we’re due for changes to the ward system. Probably overdue.”
Black talked about the big variances in the number of votes council members were elected by.
“I realize that council has a lot more vested in this than I do as mayor, because I’m elected at large.”
He then lined out an idea of dividing the city of Timmins into four large wards: Timmins North, East, South and West. He calls them ‘as balanced as possible’.
- Timmins North (2 councillors) All areas north of Algonquin Boulevard.
- Timmins East (2 councillors) South Porcupine and Porcupine.
- Timmins South (2 councillors) All areas south of Algonquin Boulevard, including Schumacher.
- Timmins West (2 councillors) Mountjoy and all areas west of the Mattagami River.
Black also mentioned another idea in which those four wards would elect one local councillor each, as well as voting for four additional at-large councillors.
He’s heard complaints from residents about the imbalance of the current voting system and says the voter turnout is extremely low.
“If you do the one-one-one-one, and then four at-large, everyone gets to vote for up to five councillors. From a democratic standpoint, it gives more say to the outlying areas as well,” said Black.
“I think the general public supports changes to the ward system.”
Councillor Andre Grzela said he had heard many different ideas from residents during his campaign last fall.
“Whatever system that works to better represent citizens of the city of Timmins. I would support looking at different options”
Councillor Joe Campbell stated that he tries to serve the entire city, not just Schumacher, but was puzzled when the matter was put on the council agenda.
“When someone phones me on an issue, I don’t have a boundary line. I’ve helped people from other wards with their issues. The present ward system has served the community well through the years, and I don’t know why, three and a half years before the next election, that we’re at this issue right now when there is so many more pressing issues that council should be dealing with,” said Campbell.
He said that the east end, of Schumacher, South Porcupine and Porcupine are three distinct geographical areas, and should all have representation.
Black fired back at Campbell.
“I can understand why you’d want to protect Schumacher. With 15,00 total voters, it is the lowest cost location to run a campaign. If you consider that campaign spending limits are roughly 80 cents per voter, Schumacher is the lowest,” said Black.
Councillor Andrew Marks said he likes the ward system but believes in representation by population.
Marks also feels that the decision to alter the current system should not be made by council, but directed by the entire populace of Timmins through a referendum
Councillor Pat Bamford inquired to city Clerk Steph Palmateer about the costs of holding a referendum.
“If we were to hold a full blown referendum, which would be the equivalent of what we did on Election Day last November, the cost would be between $65,000 and $75,000,” said Palmateer.
Bamford voiced his displeasure of the referendum idea and said it will do very little to improve poor voter turnout.
“We have to change the culture of the way people think in North America about voting and about the importance of their civic duty. That’s a big job. I think changing stuff like this, doesn’t make a difference,” said Bamford.
Bamford said he does not like the idea of voting at large for both financial and realistic coverage reasons.
“I want you to campaign across the city. You try it. I bet you’d spend $20 grand to get found out. Who has that kind of money?”
He pointed out the increased difficulty that it would create for newcomers hoping to get elected, citing the sheer geographical size of Timmins.
“I think if we’re going to make change, we have to look at not just numbers, but also area size.”
Councillor Walter Wawrzaszek is in favour of the current ward system.
“People get to know you. You know the ward. You know where the problems are. People see you on the street and talk to you,” he said.
Councillor Rick Dubeau supported Bamford’s earlier idea of eight wards, eight councillors.
Black re-iterated his intentions of simply having a discussion with council to see their interest.
When the discussion finally ended, the mayor stated the next step.
“I will draft a resolution to request a report for next meeting,” he said.
