New ward boundaries firm, council won’t appeal

A dramatic overhaul of Hamilton’s ward boundaries will go ahead in time for next year’s municipal election, after city council narrowly decided against appealing the tribunal-ordered change.

The Ontario Municipal Board last week rejected a much-criticized tweaking of Hamilton’s ward boundaries, suggested by incumbent councillors. Instead, the board imposed one of the options originally recommended by the city’s own consultants — but ignored by council — following a $260,000 study and public consultation.

The new map redraws all but one of Hamilton’s 15 wards, with the biggest changes including a new ward on the fast-growing west Mountain, and the elimination of rural Ward 14 in Flamborough.

The councillor for that disappearing ward, Rob Pasuta, put forward a motion to appeal the OMB decision to divisional court.

“This isn’t about me, it’s about the residents,” he said, expressing dismay the imposed new boundaries would dilute the value of the “rural way of life” in amalgamated city

The motion to appeal failed an 8-7 vote, with Dundas Coun. Arlene Vanderbeek the only missing councillor from the meeting.

Ward 3 Coun. Matthew Green argued the changing boundaries means “more equitable” representation for residents, not a “eulogy for the rural way of life.”

But he also reminded councillors they already had an opportunity to protect a standalone rural ward 14 — and avoid an OMB hearing or imposed decision — by choosing a 16ward option recommended by the city’s own consultant in January.

Councillors ultimately opted to suggest their own ward boundary tweaks, spurring citizen appeals and the OMB hearing on October.

The city embarked on a ward boundary study in the first place to address concerns about growing population disparities.

The suburban-old city balance in wards is a big deal for many residents, because of the perceived impact on issues like who pays for citywide transit. (Right now, there are eight old city councillors and seven in amalgamated surrounding communities, plus the mayor.)

In favour of a court appeal: Judi Partridge, Lloyd Ferguson, Brenda Johnson, Donna Skelly, Maria Pearson, Terry Whitehead, Rob Pasuta.

Against: Aidan Johnson, Tom Jackson, Chad Collins, Sam Merulla, Matthew Green, Jason Farr, Doug Conley, (mayor) Fred Eisenberger.