Ward Boundaries
There are 8 wards represented by 8 Councillors plus the Mayor.
One Councillor is elected per ward. The Mayor is elected City-wide. The Deputy Mayor is selected by Council from the existing elected Councillors and they serve a one year term.
Ward boundaries have been drawn to accommodate the following principles:
- A general balancing of population between wards, (variance not to exceed 20%) based on census population data;
- Consideration of the non-resident population from previous municipal elections, and variations in population densities;
- Consideration of established settlement patterns and existing communities of interest;
- Consideration of physical features as natural boundaries or man-made features to establish wards that are easy to identify; and
- The overriding principle of effective representation for all electors.
Current Ward Boundaries
Ward Boundary FAQs
When will Ward Boundaries be reviewed again?
City Council has adopted the following resolution regarding future ward boundary modifications:
CR2017-244
Moved By Councillor Elmslie
Seconded By Councillor Junkin
Resolved That the City Clerk be directed to conduct a Ward Boundary Review during the second year of every third term of Council.
Carried
This means that the next ward boundary public consultation process will likely occur in 2027-2029 for implementation at the 2030 Municipal Election unless otherwise directed by City Council.
Why were the ward boundaries changed in 2018?
Ward boundaries and the structure of Council had not been reviewed since amalgamation in 2001. This review was necessary to ensure an effective and equitable representation across all wards within the City.
The direction from Council for this review includes the analysis of three main components:
- The ward structure;
- The ward boundaries; and
- The size of Council (including options reducing the size of Council from 16 to 8).
The Terms of Reference for this project were adopted by City Council in 2015.
What criteria was used to assess the options under consideration?
- New ward boundaries should achieve a general balancing of populations between Wards with a variance not to exceed 20% based on population as of January 1, 2016 plus the non-resident elector numbers from the 2014 municipal election.
- Consideration will be given to established settlement patterns and existing communities of interest.
- Consideration of natural physical features or man-made features as boundaries to establish Wards that are easy to identify.
- All options should have consideration for the overriding principle of effective representation for all electors
What public consultation was there?
From June 1, 2016 to August 15, 2016, public feedback regarding the options mentioned above were sought through various means.
A public survey was available online from June 1 to July 31, 2016 and by hard copy at City Hall, all Municipal Service Centres, all City Libraries.
Consultation also took place during the Mayor's Town Hall Meetings in 2016.
An appeal was filed to the Ontario Municipal Board, and after a public hearing on August 24, 2017, and subsequent decision on October 11, 2017, the appeal was dismissed and the current ward boundaries were finalized.
Contact Us
Kawartha Lakes
P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5R8
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337
