'Impact on your life': Public outreach for Regina electoral boundaries underway
The City of Regina is asking residents to give their opinion about the latest electoral boundaries changes.
A public information was held on Monday at City Hall. Among the attendees was Tria Donaldson, a resident of Ward 3.
“I didn’t know that the review was happening so I was kind of surprised when I saw the proposed boundary changes and I really wanted to come and learn more about it and the impact it might have on municipal government here in Regina,” she told CTV News.
According to the city, boundary changes are mandatory when the city’s population varies more than 10 per cent or after three municipal elections.
The city’s last boundary review was in 2018.
“In particular there were four wards that had seen a significant change in their population, those being Wards 2, 4, 7 and 8,” city clerk Jim Nicol said.
“That necessitated the review because it was pushing them out of the plus or minus 10 per cent variance from the average population.”
Each ward on average contains around 23,000 residents.
The neighbourhoods of Greens on Gardiner and Harbour Landing have grown tremendously, according to Nicol.
Meanwhile, areas near the city centre, such as the north central or arcola areas have seen a population decline.
The process is mandatory, however, Donaldson believes that the process could be done better.
“I’m in that weird little part of the city where they never really know where to put us,” she said.
“I’m coming from a perspective of turnout. A lot of times the core neighbourhoods, north central, arcola area we see a lower voter turnout and getting those folks engaged into municipal politics, an area of government that really does affect their lives, can be challenging when there is changes that happen in terms of which councillor is representing them, which ward they’re in. So, my worry is down the line, if you’re making changes how are you going to ensure people feel engaged in their city council.”
For Donaldson, she hopes to see less change surrounding wards in the city’s central areas, as a way to help election turnout.
“I think when we’re talking about things like ward boundaries it can seem nerdy or it might not actually matter to folks,” she explained.
“But municipal government is the level of government that has the most impact on your life.”
Another public information session on the city's ward boundaries will be held on Thursday, March 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the cafeteria in Henry Baker Hall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.