Go Back

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?

  1. The size and structure of Council – i.e., the number of Councillors on Council and the potential role of an elected Deputy Mayor.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 can you get involved?

The public will have opportunities to provide input and feedback through two (2) rounds of public consultation:

  1. 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).
  2. 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.

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 link to this map is available here.

Draft Ward Boundary Options

To access interactive map with for Chatham-Kent's draft Ward Boundary Options click here.

Populations Estimates are included here.


Option (1) - 18A


Option (2) - 15A Revised


Option (3) - 15B

 Option (4) - 15C

Option (5) - 13A

Option (6) - 13B


Option (7) - 13C



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?

  1. The size and structure of Council – i.e., the number of Councillors on Council and the potential role of an elected Deputy Mayor.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 can you get involved?

The public will have opportunities to provide input and feedback through two (2) rounds of public consultation:

  1. 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).
  2. 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.

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 link to this map is available here.

Draft Ward Boundary Options

To access interactive map with for Chatham-Kent's draft Ward Boundary Options click here.

Populations Estimates are included here.


Option (1) - 18A


Option (2) - 15A Revised


Option (3) - 15B

 Option (4) - 15C

Option (5) - 13A

Option (6) - 13B


Option (7) - 13C



  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Second Public Survey on Draft Ward Boundary Options

    Make your voice heard!

    Public input and feedback are key to the success of this Council Structure and Ward Boundary Review. This process will provide you with the chance to have a say in shaping local government and we encourage involvement from all residents.

    This survey will ask you to review 7 draft ward boundary maps and to provide feedback. You will also be given the opportunity to provide specific feedback on several specific areas of Chatham-Kent including Chatham, Wallaceburg, and the county wards if you care to do so. 

    You have until the end of November 29, 2024 to complete the survey.

    Physical copies of this survey will be available at both public meetings on November 14th  and November 25th starting at 6pm or can be obtained at any Chatham-Kent Municipal Centre. Physical surveys can be dropped off or mailed to any Chatham-Kent Municipal Centre. If you need assistance or accommodation to complete this survey please contact 311 and a Customer Service Representative will assist you.

    Visit Let’sTalkChatham-Kent.ca for updates and information on this Review, and more detail on how decisions on council composition and ward boundaries are made.

    Thank you for participating.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    First Public Survey

    Make your voice heard!

    Public input and feedback are key to the success of this Council Structure and Ward Boundary Review. This process will provide you with the chance to have a say in shaping local government and we encourage involvement from all residents.

    This survey will provide you with information about the Review and ask your views on Chatham-Kent’s Council composition and ward boundaries.

    You have until September 12th, 2024 to give us your answers or comments or any other comments for this first round of consultations.  In November, there will be a second round of consultations which will seek your input on the draft ward boundary and council composition options.

    Physical copies of this survey will be available at both public meetings on August 22nd and August 28th from 6-8pm or can be obtained at any Chatham-Kent Municipal Centre. Physical surveys can be dropped off or mailed to any Chatham-Kent Municipal Centre. If you need assistance or accommodation to complete this survey please contact 311 and a Customer Service Representative will assist you.

    Visit Let’sTalkChatham-Kent.ca for updates and information on this Review, and more detail on how decisions on council composition and ward boundaries are made.

    Thank you for participating.

Page last updated: 02 Dec 2024, 04:01 PM