Council recently approved a motion by West Kent Councillor Melissa Harrigan directing staff to bring forward a bylaw that would reduce Chatham-Kent’s Council size to 14 Councillors and one Mayor.
Municipal officials say this change is based on recommendations by consultant StrategyCorp.
If approved, these changes are expected to take effect for the 2026 election.
The motion included one amendment to the proposed boundaries in StrategyCorp’s Report titled ‘Option 1’.
The amendment, brought by North Kent Councillor Jamie McGrail, will shift the community of Mitchell’s Bay from the new proposed ward 5 to the newly proposed ward 4.
The new ward boundaries, if the bylaw is approved, will consist of eight new wards, up from the previous six.
Three wards in Chatham with two councillors each, three wards in the county with two councillors each and two wards in the county with one councillor each, Municipal officials added.
“If the bylaw is approved, this will be the first time Chatham-Kent has updated its ward boundaries since amalgamation in 1998,” Municipal officials said in a media release.
“The proposed Council composition and ward boundaries reflect the significant change in the community since then and would ensure the electoral system continues to provide a system of effective representation at least through to the 2030 Municipal election.”
Municipal officials added: “The proposed changes are a result of significant public consultation, including two separate surveys and four public consultation sessions.”
More information, as well as the proposed new ward boundaries, can be found here: www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/council-composition-and-ward-boundary-review
