Solving the ward-boundaries dispute
Re Ward boundaries spark fierce debate at city hall, Sept. 27 Insisting on a single representative for each electoral ward or district inevitably leads to a continuing problem of readjustment of boundaries as populations change.
A simpler solution to fair representation by population is to draw boundaries using either traditional lines, such as the boundaries before amalgamation, or to use natural boundaries such as ravines and major highways like the 401(not main streets which unite, not divide, communities). The number of representatives in each district can then easily be adjusted to match the population as necessary with no change in boundaries.
This has the added advantage of providing voters with a much more diverse group of representatives who can relate to different views and cultures within their district. Helen Riley, Toronto While I sympathize with Mayor John Tory’s desire to keep costs down, it is false economy to do so at the cost of good government.
While voter parity is important, both the Supreme Court of Canada and Elections Canada are on record as recognizing that important factors such as geography, community interests and community history are more important. Voter parity must not be implemented where it destroys neighbourhood identity and interests. That’s what the 44 ward option does to Leaside. It contradicts the City’s consultants’ own guidelines by dividing Leaside into two separate wards, with two councillors, ignoring Leaside’s historical, geographic and social connections, established since 1913 and continuing to the present day. It would inflict damaging results on our community, and possibly throughout the city.
The other option, which calls for 47 wards, preserves proper representation by preserving us as a single community within one ward. We support this option.
You quote Councillor James Pasternak, whose ward would also be harmed by the 44 ward option, as saying, “To just erase the ward as if there’s no history and meaning there is terribly misguided.” He is right. The value of the 47 ward option far outweighs its cost. Carol Burtin Fripp, co-president, Leaside Property Owners’ Association, Ltd.