For the first time since amalgamation in 1998, Chatham-Kent’s municipal boundaries are changing.
Effective at the next municipal election in 2026, the municipality’s ward boundaries will be reconfigured and along with that, the number of councillors – including a mayor – will drop from 18 to 15.
Approved by council at the Feb. 10 meeting, the new scheme features eight wards, instead of the current six.
Ward 1 (West Kent) is the largest area and representation stays the same with two elected councillors.
Ward 2 (South Kent) will see its representation drop from three to two councillors.
Ward 5 (Wallaceburg) will also continue with two councillors.
However, Ward 4 (North Kent) and Ward 3 (East Kent) will only have one councillor each, down from two.
Chatham, instead of being a single ward, will be divided into Wards 6, 7 and 8, with each ward electing two councillors apiece.
Sabine Matheson of StrategyCorp, the consulting firm hired to examine the issue and come up with solutions, presented council with two different options for a redrawn Chatham-Kent, as well as a status quo option.
In her presentation, Matheson explained each option thoroughly, noting StrategyCorp’s goal was to meet the “effective representation test,” creating a more even playing field for all C-K residents when they elect their next council.
