Item - 2016.EX15.2
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Executive Committee on May 24, 2016. The Executive Committee has referred this item to an official or other body without making a decision. Consult the text of the decision for further information on the referral.
EX15.2 - Final Report - Toronto Ward Boundary Review
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Referred
- Wards:
- All
Public Notice Given
Committee Decision
The Executive Committee, given that all five options identified by the consultants respect the principles of effective representation but only Option 1 has been refined on the basis of input to better achieve effective representation,:
1. Referred the item to the City Manager with the request that he ask the consultant to:
a. review Option 1 (47 wards) with a focus on amendments to address wards with the highest population discrepancies (ie. Wards 20, 22, 23, 27, and 28), including the possibility of 46 wards, while ensuring the option would achieve effective representation;
b. prepare refinements for Option 2 (44 wards) on the basis of input received to date;
c. further consider Toronto ward boundaries for increased consistency with the 25 federal and provincial boundaries; and
d. undertake any required additional consultation with the public, stakeholders and Members of City Council, and prepare a revised report to be submitted to the October 26, 2016 meeting of Executive Committee,
and that in conducting this review the consultants consider the Committee's preference for maintaining the Community Council boundaries given their historical significance reflecting communities of interest.
Origin
Summary
Toronto's wards have not been reviewed since 2000 and there are currently significant population discrepancies in some Toronto wards. In June 2013, City Council directed a third-party review of Toronto's ward boundaries, per an approved Terms of Reference and work plan. The City of Toronto Act, 2006 (COTA) provides authority to City Council to make changes to its ward boundaries by by-law.
The Canadian Urban Institute ("the Consultant") was retained to conduct a third-party review of Toronto's ward boundaries. This report transmits the Consultant's final report, Toronto Ward Boundary Review, which recommends a ward structure of 47 wards with an average population of 61,000 to ensure effective representation given population growth in Toronto over the last fifteen (15) years. The Consultant's final report recommends a ward boundary structure that applies judicially recognized principles, considers leading electoral and public policy research and advice, and draws upon the input received through a two-step broad engagement and consultation strategy with the Toronto public, communities, key stakeholders and Members of City Council.
The City of Toronto Act provides a period for appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and appeals to Divisional Court are also possible. For any ward boundary changes to take effect by the 2018 election, any appeals must be concluded by December 31, 2017.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-92932.pdf
Attachment 1 - Final Report - Toronto Ward Boundary Review
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-92992.pdf
Attachment 2 - Final Report - Toronto Ward Boundary Review - Appendices A to E
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-92993.pdf
Attachment 3 - Ward Boundary Review Implementation Time lines
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-92994.pdf
Public Notice - Toronto Ward Boundary Review
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-93019.pdf
Communications
(May 18, 2016) Letter from Matias de Dovitiis, Executive Director, DUKE Heights, BIA (EX.Supp.EX15.2.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-60839.pdf
(May 19, 2016) E-mail from Marat Ressin, President, York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EX.Supp.EX15.2.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-60910.pdf
(May 18, 2016) Letter from N. W. Purves, President, York University Development Corporation (EX.Supp.EX15.2.4)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-61017.pdf
(May 22, 2016) E-mail from Ralph van Putten (EX.Supp.EX15.2.5)
(May 23, 2016) Letter from A B Kasperski on behalf, Green Party of Toronto (EX.Supp.EX15.2.6)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-61034.pdf
(May 24, 2016) E-mail from Howard Moscoe, submitted by Councillor Anthony Perruzza (EX.New.EX15.2.7)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-61020.pdf
(May 24, 2016) Letter from Sue Dexter, Board Harbord Village Residents' Association (HVRA) (EX.New.EX15.2.8)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/comm/communicationfile-61061.pdf
(May 24, 2016) E-mail from Philip Share and Brett Rycombel, Co-Chairs, South Perth and Sterling Road Residents Association (EX.New.EX15.2.9)
Speakers
Councillor Mary Fragedakis
Councillor Anthony Perruzza
Councillor Paula Fletcher
Motions
1. That speaking time for deputants be limited to three minutes.
2. That questions of the deputants by Members of Council be limited to 3 minutes.
3. That questions of staff by Members of Council be limited to 3 minutes.
4. That speaking time by Members of Council be limited to 3 minutes.
That, given that all five options identified by the consultants respect the principles of effective representation but only Option 1 has been refined on the basis of input to better achieve effective representation,
Executive Committee refer the item to the City Manager with the request that he ask the consultant to:
a. review Option 1 (47 wards) with a focus on amendments to address wards with the highest population discrepancies (ie. Wards 20, 22, 23, 27, and 28), including the possibility of 46 wards, while ensuring the option would achieve effective representation;
b. prepare refinements for Option 2 (44 wards) on the basis of input received to date;
c. further consider Toronto ward boundaries for increased consistency with the 25 federal and provincial boundaries; and
d. undertake any required additional consultation with the public, stakeholders and Members of City Council, and prepare a revised report to be submitted to the October 26, 2016 meeting of Executive Committee,
and that in conducting this review the consultants consider the Committee's preference for maintaining the Community Council boundaries given their historical significance reflecting communities of interest.
That in the recommended option, the consultants be requested to consider redrawing the boundaries of proposed Ward RW40 to extend the Highland Creek boundary line north east to Brimley and Lawrence Avenue, then west on Lawrence on the south side to Midland Avenue on the west side, north on Midland to Highway 401, and then Highway 401 west to Victoria Park.
The consultant be requested to consider moving the eastern boundary from Morningside and Ellesmere northward along Morningside Avenue to Highway 401 for proposed Ward 243.