Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review

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The City of Burlington is reviewing its Council composition and ward boundaries. The review will assess how well the current Council structure and ward boundaries work for our community.

With Burlington’s population expected to grow, the review will help ensure voters are represented equally in the decision-making process, no matter where they live in the city.

Ward boundary reviews are typically undertaken every three to four election cycles (12 – 16 years). Burlington’s last ward boundary review was in 2005. Since this time, the city’s population has grown to approximately 186,948, according to the 2021 Census. Burlington has had a

The City of Burlington is reviewing its Council composition and ward boundaries. The review will assess how well the current Council structure and ward boundaries work for our community.

With Burlington’s population expected to grow, the review will help ensure voters are represented equally in the decision-making process, no matter where they live in the city.

Ward boundary reviews are typically undertaken every three to four election cycles (12 – 16 years). Burlington’s last ward boundary review was in 2005. Since this time, the city’s population has grown to approximately 186,948, according to the 2021 Census. Burlington has had a seven-member Council since 1997, when Burlington had a population of 139,000.

The goal of the review is to assess the current Council composition and establish a ward structure that will accommodate growth and population shifts for at least the next three municipal elections.

The Council composition and ward boundary review will entail extensive public consultations and engagement opportunities for all residents. We’ll be asking you to tell us about your community and provide feedback on the current ward boundaries. Factors such as population growth, geography, community history, community interests and minority representation are all considered in the division of wards.

  • Feb 12 Drop-in info session being rescheduled

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    Due to tomorrow’s weather forecast, the drop-in information session for phase two of the Ward Boundary Review scheduled for Feb. 12 at Mountainside Community Centre has been rescheduled.

    The new date for the drop-in session is Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Mountainside Community Centre. We look forward to seeing you there.

  • Preliminary Ward Boundary Options are now available for review

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    Residents are invited to review and provide feedback on seven options for the design of Burlington’s ward boundaries. Public engagement opportunities start Feb. 4 and run throughout the month of February, with in-person and virtual options available.

    Before taking part in an engagement opportunity, it may be helpful to read the Preliminary Options Consultant Report . This report contains information about each proposed ward boundary option. You may also wish to access large, interactive maps for each of the proposed ward boundary options here .

    Residents are encouraged to review the above materials and complete the online survey , open Tuesday, Feb. 4 – Friday, Feb. 28, and/or take part in an information session. Check below for times and locations.

    The feedback gathered will inform a report that goes to City Council in spring 2025. At this time, Council will determine whether to adjust or maintain the city’s existing ward boundaries. If changes are required, they will be implemented for the 2026 Municipal Election (Oct. 26, 2026).



  • Public engagement opportunities to shape Burlington’s ward boundaries start Feb. 4

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    Residents are invited to review and share their feedback on seven options for the design of Burlington’s ward boundaries, starting Feb. 4. In-person and online public engagement opportunities for Phase Two of Burlington’s Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review will take place between Feb. 4 and Feb. 28.

    Engagement opportunities for Phase Two of the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review

    Drop-in information sessions:

    Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1:30 – 3 p.m., La Salle Pavillion (Main Ballroom), 50 North Shore Blvd.

    Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Ella Foote Hall, 2175 Blessington St.

    Thursday, Feb. 6, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Burlington Senior’s Centre (Community Room 3), 2285 New St.

    Wednesday, Feb. 12, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Mountainside Community Centre (Community Room 1), 2205 Mount Forest Dr.

    Thursday, Feb. 13, 1:30 – 3 p.m., Haber Community Centre (Community Room 1), 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.

    Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Tansley Woods Community Centre (Community Room 2), 1996 Itabashi Way

    Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Appleby Ice Centre (Community Room 2), 1201 Appleby Line


    Online virtual information session:

    Wednesday, Feb. 19, 7 – 8 p.m., Online Virtual Session, on Zoom


    Online survey:
    Tuesday, Feb. 4 Friday, Feb. 28, Online Survey open

    Background

    The City of Burlington is conducting a Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review. The review is being done to help plan for the future and ensure voters are represented equally in the local government decision-making process. The last ward boundary review for Burlington was completed in 2005, when the city’s population was 139,000. Since this time, the city’s population has grown to approximately 186,948 (2021 Census). Over the next 25 years, the city will continue to grow. Approximately 265,000 people are expected to call Burlington home by 2051.

    Phase One of public engagement for the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review, in October 2024, focused on the current size and structure of Burlington City Council. On Dec. 2, 2024, an interim report was presented to City Council. This report was informed by resident feedback shared in Phase One of the review. On Dec. 10, 2024, City Council directed the consultant team coordinating the review to bring back ward boundary options that maintain six wards in Burlington. This means each local councillor will continue to represent their ward in Burlington. They will also continue to be regional councillors on Halton Regional Council, along with the mayor.

    With this direction, Phase 2 of the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review will focus on the design of Burlington’s six wards. A total of seven design options are proposed, with each taking four guiding principles into consideration to achieve effective representation:

    • representation by population

    • future population trends

    • communities of interest

    • geographic representation.

    Next steps

    Public engagements throughout the month of February provide opportunities for residents and businesses to review the proposed seven options and share their feedback. The feedback gathered will inform a report that goes to City Council in spring 2025. At this time, Council will determine whether to adjust or maintain the city’s existing ward boundaries. If changes are required, they will be implemented for the 2026 Municipal Election (Oct. 26, 2026).

  • Staff report CL-27-24 Ward Boundary & Council Composition Interim Report is now available

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    Staff are bringing forward staff report CL-27-24 Ward Boundary and Council Composition Interim Report to the Dec 2/3 Committee of the Whole meeting

    A link to watch the meeting be found in the Agenda Meeting Package for the December 2nd / 3rd, Committee of the Whole (COW) Meeting at www.burlington.ca/calendar. If you would like to speak at the COW meeting, you can do so by pre-registering to speak by noon on Friday November 29th, 2024 by:

    1. Filling out the form at www.burlington.ca/delegation
    2. submitting a written request by email to the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@burlington.ca or
    3. calling 905-335-7600, ext. 7481.

  • Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review Public Meeting Recording now available

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    Thank you to everyone who attended the Ward Boundary and Council Composition Public Open Houses in October . A recording of the virtual meeting and presentation is now available. To access Closed Captioning, click onto the icon that says CC.


  • More ways to share your feedback

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    In response to requests from the community, we’ve added even more ways for you to share your feedback on the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review.

    1. Two more in-person public engagement sessions have been added. The new engagement dates are:
    • Monday, Oct 21 – 7 to 8:30 p.m., Appleby Ice Centre, Community Room 1, 1201 Appleby Line
    • Wednesday, Oct 23 – 1:30-3:00 p.m., La Salle Pavilion, Main Ballroom, 50 North Shore Blvd

    These dates are in addition to the other public engagement opportunities announced last month. A full list of engagement dates and times can be found under “Key Dates” on the right-hand side of this screen.

    2. Drop your feedback on a post-it note using the comments feature on this page. Look for the tab called "Tell us your feedback" and use the digital sticky notes provided to share your input about the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review.

    Don’t forget - a survey about the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review remains open until Nov. 3 at 11:50 p.m.

    However you choose to share your feedback, thank you for your participation.


  • City seeking input for council composition and ward boundary review

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    Work to review the composition of Burlington City Council and the city’s ward boundaries is set to begin this fall. The review will assess how well the current council size and structure, and ward boundaries work for our community.

    All residents and Burlington business owners are invited to share their input through a series of upcoming public engagements. Information about the review and opportunities to be involved are available on this project page.

    What is a council composition and ward boundary review?
    A council composition and ward boundary review helps plan for the future. The reviews ensure voters are represented equally in the local government decision-making process.

    The last ward boundary review for Burlington was done in 2005, when the city’s population was 139,000. Since this time, the city’s population has grown to approximately 186,948 (2021 Census). Over the next 25 years, the city will continue to grow. Approximately 265,000 people are expected to call Burlington home by 2051.

    • Council composition reviews look at the size and structure of City Council. They determine if the current number of councillors and the coverage they provide are adequate for our community.
    • Ward boundary reviews are typically undertaken every three to four election cycles (12 – 16 years) to look at the boundaries of a city’s wards. Factors, such as population, future growth, geography, community history, community interests, and minority representation, are also considered in the division of wards.

    Public engagement and Council decisions
    Public engagement and Council decisions will happen in two phases for the review. In phase one, residents will be asked for their input on council composition. Input gathered from the community will be used to help inform a report that will go to City Council for their consideration in December 2024.

    In phase two, public engagement will focus on ward boundaries. This phase is anticipated to start early in 2025. More information will be shared on getinvolvedburlington.ca/boundaryreview later this year.

    Council composition public engagement opportunities

    • Monday, Oct. 7 – 9:30 a.m., presentation at Committee of the Whole, Council Chambers, 426 Brant St.
    • Monday, Oct. 7 - 7 to 8:30 p.m., Tansley Woods Community Centre, 1996 Itabashi Way
    • Wednesday, Oct. 9 - 7 to 8:30 p.m., Central Arena, 519 Drury Ln
    • Thursday, Oct. 10 - 1:30 to 3 p.m., Mountainside Recreation Centre, 2205 Mt. Forest Dr.
    • Tuesday, Oct. 15 – 7 to 8:30 p.m., virtual public meeting
    • Wednesday, Oct. 23 – 7 to 8:30 p.m., Haber Community Centre, 3040 Tim Dobbie Dr.

    Residents and business owners can also share their feedback through the council composition and ward boundary survey, available on getinvolvedburlington.ca/boundaryreview starting Oct.7.

Page last updated: 11 Feb 2025, 03:42 PM