Ken Mann
6/25/2012
Hamilton politicians are moving cautiously into the contentious issue of ward boundary review.
They have voted to spend 200 thousand dollars on a review of the existing boundaries as part of a special meeting of the General Issues Committee. The session was prompted by a more than 500 name petition.
Supporters of a switch to representation based on population note that seven suburban councillors represent about 130 thousand people while the eight councillors in the "former city" serve about 350 thousand, but there are other matters to consider, including historic boundaries and old wounds.
Glanbrook Councillor Brenda Johnson notes that council has done an "amazing job" of crossing and building bridges since amalgamation.
Ward boundary changes are not imminent, as the plan is to consider the review in advance of the 2018 municipal election.
|