Council Composition & Ward Boundary Review
Chatham-Kent is conducting a third-party Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review to ensure the Municipality can provide an effective and equitable system of representation for all residents.
What’s being reviewed?
- The size and structure of Council – i.e., the number of Councillors on Council and the potential role of an elected Deputy Mayor.
- How Councillors are elected – i.e., whether Councillors are elected by ward, at-large, or some combination of the two, or how many Councillors are elected per ward.
- The electoral ward boundaries– i.e., how well the Municipality’s current ward boundaries deliver effective representation and new options to re-draw boundaries.
The Municipality’s expert consultant, StrategyCorp, will review all the above elements and make recommendations to Council based on key considerations of: representation by population; present and future population trends (i.e., growth); communities of interest; physical and natural boundaries; and the overriding principle of “effective representation.”
Based on the finding and recommendations from this Review, Council will make a final decision on any specific changes or maintaining the status quo.
Why is this review needed?
Chatham-Kent has grown and evolved since the current ward boundaries were drawn 25 years ago at amalgamation. This review will aim to design a Council and ward boundary structure that considers the Chatham-Kent of today and expected population growth through the 2026 and 2030 elections.
How is Chatham-Kent’s Council currently structured?
Chatham Kent Council currently has 18 members, one (1) Mayor who is elected at-large by the entire Municipality, and 17 Councillors elected by ward including:
- Two (2) Councillors from Ward 1 (West Kent);
- Three (3) Councillors from Ward 2 (South Kent);
- Two (2) Councillors from Ward 3 (East Kent);
- Two (2) Councillors from Ward 4 (North Kent);
- Two (2) Councillors from Ward 5 (Wallacebug); and
- Six (6) Councillors from Ward 6 (Chatham).
An interactive version of this map is available here
How can you get involved?
The public will have opportunities to provide input and feedback through two (2) rounds of public consultation:
- The public will be consulted on the existing Council and ward boundary structure through a public survey and two (2) public meetings in late August 2024 (see below for details).
- The public will be consulted on specific possible ward boundary options through a public survey and two (2) public meetings in November 2024.
For more details on how to participate, check out the “Project Updates” below and subscribe to this page for regular updates.
To learn more about this review, visit the FAQs to the right on your screen. Or ask us your questions in the discussion boards below under the "Ask us Questions!" Tab.
