Ward review pondered in Ritchot

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This article was published 04/08/2017 (2449 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ritchot councillors were busy discussing elections less than two weeks after voters went to the polls at Tuesday’s meeting as the new council found itself considering a ward bylaw review.

The possibility of such a review—a preparatory measure ahead of the October 2018 general election—prompted a wide-ranging discussion on population changes and the effectiveness of wards. Council unanimously resolved to hold back on beginning a full review, but will obtain a quote for the work while seeking updated ward-by-ward population figures.

CAO Mitch Duval estimated a full review would cost $3,200, and noted Ritchot’s current ward bylaw dates back to 1997. Census data indicates Ritchot gained more than 1,400 residents between 1996 and 2016.

“It’s due,” Councillor Shane Pelletier said of a review. Councillor Ron Mamchuk concurred, noting the Ward 2 voter list has grown by more than 100 names in recent years.

Amendments must be completed 180 days before voting day, meaning Ritchot has until April to pass any recommendations arising from a report to council.

A thorough review could find wards are no longer needed, recommend boundary changes, or suggest the splitting of an existing ward, resulting in an additional council seat. However, Councillor Jeannot Robert doubted any major changes would result, saying the Ritchot’s growth has been evenly dispersed.

Mayor Chris Ewen came out strongly in favour of a review, and appeared to support a move away from wards. The at-large model, he said, is gaining in popularity. Mamchuk, however, said he preferred the simplified ballot and dispersed representation afforded by wards.

In the Southeast, the majority of rural municipalities have electoral wards, though Whitemouth and Morris opt for the at-large system.

The Manitoba Municipal Act grants municipalities the option of using either electoral model. While an equal number of residents in each ward is ideal, the act allows RMs to also consider settlement patterns, topographical features, and the diversity of community interests in establishing boundaries.

“This is a loaded decision,” Duval acknowledged, and maintained both electoral systems have pros and cons.

Ewen later expanded on his position, saying, “Am I in favour of the at-large option? Not necessarily, but it is something I would like to look at.” While wards were originally intended to direct the delegation of funds, Ewen suggested they may have run their course in modern municipalities.

“Nowadays, Ritchot is one. We’re one unit, we’re one whole,” he said. Wards erroneously tend to be equated with LUDs, he explained, even when the former contains hamlets and rural residential developments.