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(Re)creating Boundary Lines: Assessing Toronto's Ward Boundary Review Process

Author

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  • Alexandra Flynn

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

When Toronto's Ward Boundary Review (WBR) began in 2013, the city's 44 wards varied widely in size, ranging from 45,000 to 90,000 residents. The WBR’s multi-year process was designed by staff and led by consultants, with ample opportunity for involvement by councillors. The final ward boundaries were approved in November 2016 without significant deviation from those recommended in the consultants’ report. The result was the addition of three new wards. Assuming there are no successful appeals of the decision, the new ward boundaries will be in place for the 2018 election. The ward boundary review raised significant questions about the regularity by which such reviews should be held, the role of city councillors as participants and decision-makers in the process, and the relationship between the WBR and a future governance review. This paper sets out the contested legal terrain within which the City of Toronto’s WBR took place and assesses possible next steps, including the grounds for a possible Ontario Municipal Board appeal. Ultimately, the paper concludes that wards are but one important component of municipal representation and governance.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Flynn, 2017. "(Re)creating Boundary Lines: Assessing Toronto's Ward Boundary Review Process," IMFG Papers 32, University of Toronto, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance.
    • Handle: RePEc:mfg:wpaper:32
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    File URL: https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/81191/1/imfgpaper_no32_torontowbr_aflynn_june_22_2017.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2017
    Download Restriction: no
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    urban governance; political representation; wards; Ontario Municipal Board; City of Toronto;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H10 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - General
    • H70 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - General
    • H79 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Other

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