Electoral Boundary Review

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In 2021, we welcomed the Village of Hythe as a hamlet within the County of Grande Prairie. Despite this change, the existing nine electoral divisions remained untouched, prompting the initiation of a review of the County’s electoral boundaries. On September 9, 2024, Council directed that the Divisional Boundaries Bylaw be developed using the current electoral boundaries, meaning no change to boundaries. First reading of the Bylaw will be on September 23, 2024.

THE NEED FOR A REVIEW

Following the dissolution of the Village of Hythe, the Provincial government mandated a review of the County’s electoral boundaries before the next municipal election in 2025. As our County has changed, it’s important to ensure that residents are adequately represented.

THE REVIEW PROCESS

This process began with the municipal census, which provided insights into demographic changes and population distribution. Learn more about the municipal census at www.countygp.ab.ca/census.

The process included exploring various boundary options, including the number of councillors, divisions, and division boundaries. Not sure which Electoral Division you are in or who your Councillor is? Click here for more information.

RESEARCH

Research revealed that six out of nine County divisions are outside the optimal population range of between 2,052 and 3,420. The population in divisions ranged from just over 1,000 residents to more than 5,000.

The County of Grande Prairie is also expected to grow faster than the rest of the province with a projected population of 45,400 by 2046.

NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS AND DIVISIONS

In June, Council decided to keep the number of councillors and boundaries at nine each.

PHASE 1 ENGAGEMENT: COMPLETED

Phase 1 engagement included an online survey from June 3-23, 2024, with 118 responses received. Key findings:

  • Desire for equal representation with easy-to-understand boundaries.

  • No change in number of councillors and divisions.

  • While more than half of respondents feel fairly represented, a quarter stated that they do not feel fairly represented.

  • Respondents suggested the Hamlet of Clairmont should either be split into two or more electoral divisions with part of the surrounding rural land included or be its own electoral division.

PHASE 2 ENGAGEMENT

Phase 2 engagement included an online survey from August 6-27, 2024, with 234 responses received. Three alternative boundary options were proposed for the County. These options, along with the option to keep the current boundaries unchanged, were available for resident feedback

Respondent feedback varied between the boundary alternatives. Discussion included population distribution, boundaries splitting communities, and boundary geographical sizes. For detailed results, view What We Heard Report EBR Phase 1 and 2.

LOOKING AHEAD

Council gave the bylaw first reading on September 23, 2024.

Following first reading of the bylaw, there is a 60-day petition period where residents can submit a petition for the bylaw to be reconsidered.

If a sufficient petition is received, Council must either:

1) Decide not to proceed with the proposed bylaw, or

2) Decide to proceed with the proposed bylaw and submit it to a vote of electors within 90 days after the petition is declared to be sufficient.


Please subscribe to this page for further updates.

In 2021, we welcomed the Village of Hythe as a hamlet within the County of Grande Prairie. Despite this change, the existing nine electoral divisions remained untouched, prompting the initiation of a review of the County’s electoral boundaries. On September 9, 2024, Council directed that the Divisional Boundaries Bylaw be developed using the current electoral boundaries, meaning no change to boundaries. First reading of the Bylaw will be on September 23, 2024.

THE NEED FOR A REVIEW

Following the dissolution of the Village of Hythe, the Provincial government mandated a review of the County’s electoral boundaries before the next municipal election in 2025. As our County has changed, it’s important to ensure that residents are adequately represented.

THE REVIEW PROCESS

This process began with the municipal census, which provided insights into demographic changes and population distribution. Learn more about the municipal census at www.countygp.ab.ca/census.

The process included exploring various boundary options, including the number of councillors, divisions, and division boundaries. Not sure which Electoral Division you are in or who your Councillor is? Click here for more information.

RESEARCH

Research revealed that six out of nine County divisions are outside the optimal population range of between 2,052 and 3,420. The population in divisions ranged from just over 1,000 residents to more than 5,000.

The County of Grande Prairie is also expected to grow faster than the rest of the province with a projected population of 45,400 by 2046.

NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS AND DIVISIONS

In June, Council decided to keep the number of councillors and boundaries at nine each.

PHASE 1 ENGAGEMENT: COMPLETED

Phase 1 engagement included an online survey from June 3-23, 2024, with 118 responses received. Key findings:

  • Desire for equal representation with easy-to-understand boundaries.

  • No change in number of councillors and divisions.

  • While more than half of respondents feel fairly represented, a quarter stated that they do not feel fairly represented.

  • Respondents suggested the Hamlet of Clairmont should either be split into two or more electoral divisions with part of the surrounding rural land included or be its own electoral division.

PHASE 2 ENGAGEMENT

Phase 2 engagement included an online survey from August 6-27, 2024, with 234 responses received. Three alternative boundary options were proposed for the County. These options, along with the option to keep the current boundaries unchanged, were available for resident feedback

Respondent feedback varied between the boundary alternatives. Discussion included population distribution, boundaries splitting communities, and boundary geographical sizes. For detailed results, view What We Heard Report EBR Phase 1 and 2.

LOOKING AHEAD

Council gave the bylaw first reading on September 23, 2024.

Following first reading of the bylaw, there is a 60-day petition period where residents can submit a petition for the bylaw to be reconsidered.

If a sufficient petition is received, Council must either:

1) Decide not to proceed with the proposed bylaw, or

2) Decide to proceed with the proposed bylaw and submit it to a vote of electors within 90 days after the petition is declared to be sufficient.


Please subscribe to this page for further updates.

Page last updated: 24 Oct 2024, 01:50 PM