Before the next municipal elections, Saskatoon’s 10 ward boundaries will have to be redrawn to address the population’s growth in different directions.
According to the current provincial legislation, Saskatoon’s existing 10 wards need to have relatively equal populations. There is an allowance of a 10% variation among the wards, but once the population becomes too uneven, the boundaries must be revisited.
It is important to address this situation now, because the next municipal and schools board elections are scheduled for next October.
The city has created a municipal wards commission that will hold two consultations about drawing the new boundaries. The wards that are causing the issue are 4 and 7, which have grown in population, as well as Ward 9, which has a falling population.
The first of the two consultations took place this week, on December 16, at the city hall. Written submissions were preferred, although officials accepted oral presentations during the meeting.
There are several factors the commission will take into consideration, including the density and relative growth of the population and any special diversity or community of interest, as well as current and prospective geographic conditions. Once the new ward boundaries are established, regional communications through Mailing, for instance, will also change for politicians.
After the new boundaries are drafted, the commission will hold a second public meeting before details are finalized. Get a Free Quote for Mailing
