Midland - Dissolving of Town Ward Boundaries

By-law to Dissolve Town of Midland Ward Boundaries

At its meeting held September 16, 2020 Council considered Staff Report CL-2020-13 - Composition of Council for the 2022 Municipal Election. Upon conclusion of discussion, Council passed the following Resolution.

COW-2020-29

That the Ward System be eliminated in the Town of Midland

(Click to view larger image)

What does this mean for residents?

Under the Town's current Ward Boundary Electoral Structure there are three (3) wards with nine (9) members of Council elected as follows:

Mayor – elected at large
Deputy Mayor – elected at large
Councillor Ward 1 - 3 positions – elected by ward
Councillor Ward 2 – 3 positions – elected by ward
Councillor Ward 3 – 1 position – elected by ward

At-large Elections

Under the At-Large Electoral Structure, all Council members would be elected by a general vote as is the current practice for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Mayor – elected at large
Deputy Mayor – elected at large
Councillors (7) – elected at large

Advantages of At-Large Electoral Structure

Electors have greater choice and flexibility in elections (each voter has the opportunity to consider every candidate in the Council election).
Electors are able to select the candidates they think will do the best job, rather than having to make a choice among candidates who happen to run in their ward.
Residents will have a larger number of Councillors to approach with their concerns.
The system promotes the concept of a Town-wide focus, with Councillors being elected by, and concerned for, the Town as a whole, rather than placing a priority on more parochial interests.
The likelihood of acclamations is reduced.
An at-large election is more democratic as it involves the entire community.
The Town's continues to utilize traditional voting method of polls and paper for its elections. This is a very large undertaking and resource rich method. Having candidates elected at-large would result in cost savings
Reduces the number of ballots required to be printed thus reducing cost.
Five (5) separate ballots to elect nine members: Mayor, Deputy Mayor and seven (7) Council members. Where three (3) wards exist, there 15 separate ballots to elect 9 members.

Disadvantages of At-Large Electoral Structure

Candidates must campaign across the entire municipality; this may make the cost of a campaign prohibitive (especially for newcomers).
There would be no designated voices for particular communities or localities within the municipality.
At-large elections can lead to significant communities of interest and points of view being unrepresented (or underrepresented).
Candidates who appeal to areas where voter turnout is highest tend to be elected disproportionately.
The format can lead to confusion of responsibilities and duplication of effort on the part of Councillors (everybody on a Council represents everybody in the municipality)
Large numbers of candidates on the ballot can be confusing for voters.

Proposed By-law
2020-XX Dissolve Wards

Notice of Public Meeting

Take Notice that the Council of The Corporation of Town of Midland intends to pass a By-law to dissolve the Town of Midland Ward Boundaries in accordance with Section 222 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. C.25 and to proceed with an At-Large Electoral System for the 2022 Municipal Election.

A virtual Public Meeting will be held:

Wednesday, October 21, 2020
7:00 p.m.

Any individual wishing to attend virtually can request an invite from the Town Clerk by writing via e-mail to clerks@midland.ca at least 2 days in advance of the meeting.

Anyone wishing to attend via telephone is invited to contact the Clerk at 705-526-4275, ext. 2208 at least 2 days in advance of the meeting.

Anyone unable to attend may submit written comments in writing to the Town Clerk via e-mail to clerks@midland.ca or by mail prior to the date and time of the Public Meeting.

Details regarding the proposed By-law can be obtained by contacting the Clerk's Office and by visiting the Town's website at www.Midland.ca.

​By-law to Dissolve Town of Midland Ward Boundaries