The original motion to move to the 12-Ward system was introduced by Councillors Don Iveson and Dave Theile on February 17, 2009 and was approved in first reading by Councillors on April 15, 2009 (Councillors Jane Batty, Amarjeet Sohi, Tony Caterina, and Ron Hayter voted against the motion). I attended the April 15 meeting, and while watching the debate on Ward boundary changes was as exciting as you can imagine, the meeting reached a climax when former Councillor Sheila Mckay yelled her opposition from the Chamber seating area (Mckay was calmed down by Mayor Stephen Mandel).
Why are Councillors voting for this change? A new 12-Ward system will allow Councillors to more easily manage constituent requests (smaller population to represent) and will theoretically create more equitable representation for Edmotonians (in many cases, the more high profile of the two Councillors in the current large 6-Ward system receive the lions share of the constituents requests). Overall, I think the proposed 12-Ward system would be a positive move for our City.
The proposed new boundaries largely respect natural and community league boundaries, and in most cases are simple divisions of the current 6-Ward map. It's unfortunate that City Councillors are drawing their own electoral boundaries, which is something that should change in the future, but Edmontonians should be proud that their Councillors avoided the kind of gong show debate that recently engulfed Calgary's City Council.
Here is the map of the proposed new boundaries:
From a political perspective, Council will be taking a risk in accepting the new boundaries. Looking to the 2010 election, the new boundaries will likely play a factor in determining who runs for Mayor in 2010 and if any incumbents decide to run against each in the next campaign (I'm putting early odds on an Ed Gibbons versus Tony Caterina fight in the new Ward 4, and a Ben Henderson versus Jane Batty showdown in the new Ward 6).Related Links:
Better Edmonton: 12 Councillors, 12 Wards: More Than A Dozen Reasons Why…
Don Iveson: 12 Wards
SEE Magazine: Councillors stake out their territory
Sheila McKay is a nutcase. She ran for the NDP provincially after all. And she's what passes as a "star candidate" over at Mason's headquarters.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I think you may have Sheila Mckay confused with former City Councillor Sherri McKibben who ran for the provincial NDP in Edmonton-Norwood in 1997 and Edmonton-Gold Bar in 2008. I seem to remember hearing that Mckay ran unsuccessfully for a PC nomination at somepoint in the past 20 years (1993 election?)
ReplyDeleteHahaha... Anonymous 9:38, read the story below about the time that Sheila McKay poured a pitcher of water over Brian Mason's head. She very certainly is no New Democrat, but also very certainly is a bit off her rocker.
ReplyDeletehttp://calsun.canoe.ca/News/election/2008/02/04/4827265.html
Not sure if she ever ran for a Tory nod, but it wouldn't surprise me!
Good post Dave.
haha. Thanks for the link, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteMckay ran for the PC nomination in Edmonton-Gold Bar in 1997 and was defeated by Susan Green (who was later defeated by Liberal Hugh MacDonald in the general election).
Ah, my bad. Had a crazy right winger confused with a crazy left winger.
ReplyDeleteEither way, shows why municipal politicians of all stripes often can't make the leap to higher levels of government. Far less media scrutiny at the local level.
Where does Iveson plan to run if the new boundaries pass?
ReplyDeleteSaskatoon has 10 wards (22,000 voters in each) and while it does create a strong urge by some councillors to fall prey to NIMBYism I think it also provides representation for those neighbourhoods that some would like to ignore.
ReplyDeleteAlso, our boundaries are decided by an independent panel (city clerk, judge, civics prof) who consult with the community and then decide based on demographics/stats/projected growth/etc...
It's nice to have that hot potato out of the councillors hands.