Winnipeg to evaluate changes to ward boundaries
Population growth in south Winnipeg creates lopsided electoral wards
Winnipeg will look into the possibility of modifying city ward boundaries before the next municipal elections in 2018.
Following a motion brought forward by south Winnipeg councillors Brian Mayes and Janice Lukes, the public service will establish a Ward Boundaries Commission next year and work with Statistics Canada to gather as much socio-demographic data from the upcoming 2016 national census to help evaluate boundaries.
"It's a very live issue in the south end. We've reached the stage now where Coun. Lukes' ward, and I think mine as well, we're the equivalent of an entire provincial riding, 21,000 to 20,000 [more] people than some of the smaller wards," said Mayes, the St. Vital councillor.
He pointed to massive developments such as Sage Creek and Waverley West that are adding tens of thousands of new homes south Winnipeg.
Click on each ward to reveal key socio-demographic statistics and how they differ across the city. (Scroll to the bottom of the story for a quick snapshot of wards by the numbers.)
Source: City of Winnipeg, Statistics Canada
"By looking at the alignment of the wards, it helps up provide better service to our constituents," said Lukes, the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert councillor who seconded the motion.
Ultimately, it's about having an equitable distribution of residents to improve services and communication, Mayor Brian Bowman said.
"We want to make sure that … it's as easy as possible for our constituents to be connected with each councillor," said Bowman.
City electoral wards by the numbers
Three largest wards:
- Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge: 64 square kilometres
- South Winnipeg - St Norbert: 61 km²
- St. Vital: 58 km²
Three smallest wards:
- Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry: 14 km²
- Mynarski: 13 km²
- Daniel McIntyre: 8.5 km²
Population, largest and smallest:
- South Winnipeg-St. Norbert: 54,150 residents
- St. Charles: 31,910 residents
Median age, highest and lowest:
- North Kildonan: 46 years old
- Daniel McIntyre: 35 years old
Percentage of residents with aboriginal ancestry, highest and lowest:
- Mynarski: 29 per cent
- River Heights-Fort Garry: 5 per cent
Percentage of residents 15+ with post-secondary education, highest and lowest:
- River Heights-Fort Garry: 63 per cent
- Mynarski: 39 per cent
Percentage of labour force that uses public transportation, highest and lowest:
- Daniel McIntrye: 24 per cent
- Charleswood-Tuxedo-Fort Whyte: 7 per cent
Count of households with combined income greater than $125,000, highest and lowest:
- Charleswood-Tuxedo-Fort Whyte: 3,435
- Mynarski: 425
Percentage of homes in need of major repairs, highest and lowest:
- Daniel McIntyre: 17 per cent
- Old Kildonan: 4 per cent
Source: City of Winnipeg, Statistics Canada, 2011 Census and National Household Survey