Whereas Council composition and electoral structure is based on the principles of effective democratic representation; and
Whereas subsection 8(1) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 permits Council to pass a by-law to submit a question to the electors; and
Whereas March 1, 2018 is the last date for passing a by-law to enable the question to appear on the ballot for the 2018 election.
Therefore, be it resolved that Council direct staff to report back on December 5, 2017 regarding the placement of questions on the ballot in 2018 for the following matters:
- Transition from the current Ward System to a Councillor At-Large system
- Realign ward boundaries so that wards will have more equitable representation by population from a Councillor
- Reduce the size of wards from 6 to 4
- Support full-time Councillors with full-time remuneration
That staff also report back on the legislative framework for submitting a question to electors; the costs for inclusion on the ballot; and implications of implementing the decision if binding.