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.

Do you have any questions about the Ward boundary and Council composition review?

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  • Share I am specifically interested in council composition, as that is, in my judgement, the biggest issue we are facing. When will those recommendations be developed and be available for review on Facebook Share I am specifically interested in council composition, as that is, in my judgement, the biggest issue we are facing. When will those recommendations be developed and be available for review on Twitter Share I am specifically interested in council composition, as that is, in my judgement, the biggest issue we are facing. When will those recommendations be developed and be available for review on Linkedin Email I am specifically interested in council composition, as that is, in my judgement, the biggest issue we are facing. When will those recommendations be developed and be available for review link

    I am specifically interested in council composition, as that is, in my judgement, the biggest issue we are facing. When will those recommendations be developed and be available for review

    davidgore asked 3 months ago

    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 investigate options where all local councillors are also regional councillors. Since Burlington Council does not have the legislative authority to change the number of Regional Councillors (at present, six), the implication of Council’s direction for this review is that all options presented for “re-division” will involve six wards. 

    A final report will go to City Council in the Spring of 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)

  • Share One of the poster boards at the engagement session indicates that a council workshop was supposed to be held in October. Why has that event not been scheduled? on Facebook Share One of the poster boards at the engagement session indicates that a council workshop was supposed to be held in October. Why has that event not been scheduled? on Twitter Share One of the poster boards at the engagement session indicates that a council workshop was supposed to be held in October. Why has that event not been scheduled? on Linkedin Email One of the poster boards at the engagement session indicates that a council workshop was supposed to be held in October. Why has that event not been scheduled? link

    One of the poster boards at the engagement session indicates that a council workshop was supposed to be held in October. Why has that event not been scheduled?

    Jim Thomson asked 7 months ago

    The October Council session referenced on the poster board took place at the Oct 7th Committee of the Whole meeting. A presentation was made to Council by the Consultant. The poster boards have been updated to reflect this information. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

  • Share Why are there not Engagement Sessions scheduled in each ward? on Facebook Share Why are there not Engagement Sessions scheduled in each ward? on Twitter Share Why are there not Engagement Sessions scheduled in each ward? on Linkedin Email Why are there not Engagement Sessions scheduled in each ward? link

    Why are there not Engagement Sessions scheduled in each ward?

    Jim Thomson asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for this suggestion, two additional dates have been added: 

    • Oct 21, 7 - 8:30pm, Appleby Ice Centre
    • Oct 23, 1:30 - 3pm, La Salle Pavillion
  • Share Are you thinking of increasing the number of council members on Facebook Share Are you thinking of increasing the number of council members on Twitter Share Are you thinking of increasing the number of council members on Linkedin Email Are you thinking of increasing the number of council members link

    Are you thinking of increasing the number of council members

    Funguy12345$ asked 11 months ago

    The intent of the review is to ensure the number of wards and size of council effectively represent the residents of Burlington. Many factors will be considered, including ward population and projected population growth trends, uniqueness of each ward, Councillor workload, and the impact on the community, local boards, committees and associations. This thorough analysis and a public consultation process will allow the third-party independent consultant to develop different council composition options and present a recommendation to Council to vote on.

  • Share In order to offer informed suggestions please share the current population by existing wards and the projected population over the next 10 years by ward. on Facebook Share In order to offer informed suggestions please share the current population by existing wards and the projected population over the next 10 years by ward. on Twitter Share In order to offer informed suggestions please share the current population by existing wards and the projected population over the next 10 years by ward. on Linkedin Email In order to offer informed suggestions please share the current population by existing wards and the projected population over the next 10 years by ward. link

    In order to offer informed suggestions please share the current population by existing wards and the projected population over the next 10 years by ward.

    EW asked 7 months ago

    Please see the chart below for Burlington’s population information as per the latest 2021 Census.

    Ward

    Population as per 2021 census

    1

    28,542

    2

    26,945

    3

    23,497

    4

    36,441

    5

    36,049

    6

    35,474

    Total:

    186,948

     

    There are different sources of information that will allow the consulting team to determine how population growth will occur in each of the wards over time. These include population projections derived from:

    We are working at providing consolidated growth projections by ward as part of this work, which should be available in the near future.

     

  • Share why is the obvious central issue no included. Sixty percent of Burlington population lives north of QEW. Why aren't 60 percent of council seats allotted to the north. Answer: Burlington city council is an "old boys network" that still thinks only of southern Burlington on Facebook Share why is the obvious central issue no included. Sixty percent of Burlington population lives north of QEW. Why aren't 60 percent of council seats allotted to the north. Answer: Burlington city council is an "old boys network" that still thinks only of southern Burlington on Twitter Share why is the obvious central issue no included. Sixty percent of Burlington population lives north of QEW. Why aren't 60 percent of council seats allotted to the north. Answer: Burlington city council is an "old boys network" that still thinks only of southern Burlington on Linkedin Email why is the obvious central issue no included. Sixty percent of Burlington population lives north of QEW. Why aren't 60 percent of council seats allotted to the north. Answer: Burlington city council is an "old boys network" that still thinks only of southern Burlington link

    why is the obvious central issue no included. Sixty percent of Burlington population lives north of QEW. Why aren't 60 percent of council seats allotted to the north. Answer: Burlington city council is an "old boys network" that still thinks only of southern Burlington

    Colin Armstrong asked 10 months ago

    Burlington’s current ward boundaries were last reviewed in 2005, and the seven-member council structure has been in place since 1997. With the population growth and shifts since 2005, the timing is right to review the boundaries and council composition.

    Currently, the wards boundaries, or the QEW, do not split the City into north or south wards. 

    The ward boundary review being undertaken will rely on generally accepted principles to ensure effective representation is achieved. These include, but are not limited to:

    • voter parity, which speaks to the relationship between a ward’s population and the average ward population of all wards in the municipality
    • communities of interest
    • future population trends
    • natural and physical boundaries. 

     

    An independent third-party consultant will analyze various data and information based on these principles, and will provide opportunities for public feedback before presenting  ward boundary options to Council to vote on.

Page last updated: 03 Mar 2025, 08:35 AM