Hastings Highlands will not have wards in next year’s municipal election.
The Ontario Municipal Board has reached its decision as to whether or not council had the right to do away with the three ward system, and replace it with municipality-wide elections. This comes after a hearing on the subject was held in November.
The OMB says council’s decision to introduce municipality-wide elections was fair and reasonable. Despite other options, it was the best one for the municipality.
Council originally chose to introduce municipality-wide elections after being petitioned by some residents, who were concerned the ward-system provided unfair representation. However, other residents appealed to the OMB with concerns the at-large approach would not provide enough representation for everyone in Hastings Highlands.