Proposed new wards see ‘minimal’ change

Councillor questions flip-flop

The commission examining new civic ward boundaries for Saskatoon has chosen what they say is the option with the least amount of change.

The commission’s report, which goes to council Monday, shifts three neighbourhoods into different wards at next October’s civic election: Forest Grove will be moved to Ward 1 from Ward 10, Hudson Bay Park moves to Ward 1 from Ward 4 and the downtown business district moves to Ward 6 from Ward 1.

The changes are triggered by a growing population disparity among wards.

The downtown area returns to Ward 6, currently represented by Coun. Charlie Clark.

The ward was below the population variance required under legislation and required more people.

Ward 1, currently represented by Coun. Darren Hill, loses the downtown but gains Hudson Bay Park, presently in Myles Heidt’s Ward 4, and Forest Grove, currently in Coun. Bev Dubois’ Ward 10. Ward 1 now sprawls from Hudson Bay Park in the west to Forest Grove in the east.

Saskatoon’s jigsaw-puzzle political map got a new look just three years ago, with eight neighbourhoods moving into different city wards.

Hill said Thursday he was “disappointed” by the commission’s recommendations.

“It’s very disappointing that the downtown core is experiencing a change again,” Hill said. “There are a large number of senior citizens who have only had 2 1/2 years to get used to the change. I think they should be looking at future growth patterns more aggressively.”

The municipal wards commission consists of Justice Peter Foley, city clerk Janice Mann and University of Saskatchewan political studies Prof. Joe Garcea

The revised ward boundaries chosen — one of 10 options examined by the commission — comes with “the least amount of change,” the report says.

The changes come after two public meetings and 12 written submissions. The review was sparked because the commission is required to review the boundaries once ward populations exceed 10 per cent variance.

The commission recommends council send a letter to the provincial government asking for the variance to be moved to 15 per cent from 10 per cent. When there is rapid population growth it is difficult to maintain ward boundaries for more than one election period, the report says.

It is “very likely” the ward boundaries will have to be changed again before the 2016 election because of the rapid growth of suburban areas in wards 3,4,7, 8 and 9.

“It is virtually impossible to allow sufficient room for growth in all of these wards,” the report says.

Coun. Pat Lorje said changing the wards as little as possible is “what most people would prefer.”

As the city grows, Lorje said the number of city councillors and the support staff required needs to be re-examined. There are 12 MLAS for the same areas covered by 10 councillors, she said. Those MLAS are full time, paid significantly more than city councillors and have strong support staff, she said.

“As Saskatoon grows larger we’re going to have to take a look at increasing the number of councillors or moving to have a city councillor position be a full-time position with appropriate resources.”