In preparation for the 2022 Municipal Election, the Township has reviewed its ward boundary structure to ensure it serves the community and provides effective representation.
Current Ward Boundaries
The ward boundaries have changed in order to achieve an effective system of fair representation.
The structure of the wards did not change as there are still five wards with (1) Local Councillor representing each ward with a Deputy Mayor and Mayor. Overall, the current size of Council remains at 7 members.
View our interactive mapping to know which ward you are in. Remember to click MUNICIPAL WARDS 2022 ELECTION layer on the left hand side of the GIS mapping
View Interactive Mapping
Ward Descriptions and Maps
Presented below are the descriptions and maps from Ward Boundary Bylaw 2021.45 for each ward.
Ward 1
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Description
Beginning at the Northern most point of the Township, south of the Black River at Hwy 6, the boundary travels:
- South along Ramara’s eastern border to the southern boundary of Lot 21 Concession I;
- West along the southern boundary of Concession I to the north-western corner of Lot 16 Concession H;
- South along the eastern boundary of Lot 15 to the south-east corner of Lot 15 Concession G;
- West along Concession G to the north-western corner of Lot 14 Concession F;
- South along the eastern boundary of Lot 13 to the south-east corner of Lot 13 Concession F;
- West along Concessions F to County Rd. 169;
- North along the midline of County Rd. 169 to the southern boundary of Lot 15 Concession 5;
- West along Concessions 5 to the north-western corner of Lot 18 Concession 4;
- South along the boundary of the Rama First Nations Parcel to its Southern boundary;
- West along and past the southern boundary of the Rama First Nations Parcel to the northwestern corner of Lot 20 Concession 2;
- South to the southern property line of 3675 Airport Rd;
- West and south along the southern property lines of 3675 and 3785 Airport Rd to the eastern boundary of the Parcel;
- North and west along the eastern and northern boundaries of the Rama First Nations Parcel to Lake Couchiching;
- North and east along Ramara’s border to northern most point of the Township.
Map
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Ward 2
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Description
Beginning where the southern boundary of ward 1 intersects with the eastern border of the Township, the boundary travels:
- South along Ramara’s eastern border to Lake Dalrymple;
- Southwest along Lake Dalrymple to Concession Rd. 7;
- West along the midline Concession Rd. 7 to Lake Simcoe;
- North along the lakeshore to the southern property line of 4166 Glencoe Beach Rd.;
- East along the southern property line of 4166 Glencoe Beach Rd. toward Mcrae Park Rd., and along the midline of Mcrae Park Rd. to Sideroad 20;
- North along the midline of Sideroad 20 to Monck Rd (Hwy 45);
- Southwest along the midline of Monck Rd. to Rama Rd. (Hwy 44);
- North and west along the midline of Rama Rd. and the property line of 4358 Fern Resort Rd. to Lake Couchiching;
- North along the shoreline to where the shoreline intersects with the southern boundary of ward 1;
- East and north along the southern boundary of ward 1 to the eastern border of the Township.
Map
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Ward 3
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Description
Beginning at the intersection of Monck Rd. and Sideroad 20, the boundary travels:
- South along the midline of Sideroad 20 to Mcrae Park Rd.;
- West along the midline of Mcrae Park Rd. and the ward 2 boundary to Lake Simcoe.
- North along the shoreline to the northern property line of 4358 Fern Resort Rd.;
- East the ward 2 boundary to Sideroad 20.
Map
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Ward 4
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Description
Beginning at where the southern shore of Lake Dalrymple intersects with the eastern border of the Township, the boundary travels:
- South, west, and north along the Township’s border to where Concession Rd. A meets Lake Simcoe;
- Inland, east and north along the boundary of ward 5 (see below) back to the shore line;
- North along the shoreline to Concession Rd. 7;
- East along the midline of Concession Rd. 7 to Lake Dalrymple;
- South and east along the shoreline of Lake Dalrymple to the Eastern border of the Township.
Map
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Ward 5
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Description
Beginning at the mouth of the tributary on Lake Simcoe just South of Amilia Rd., the boundary travels:
- North along the river to Concession 6;
- East along Concession 6, to where it intersects with the eastern property line of 30 Paradise Blvd;
- South along the eastern boundary of Lot 13 to Concession 5;
- East along Concession 5 to the Railway; o South along the Railway to Ramara Rd. 47;
- West and south along the midline of Ramara Rd. 47 to Concession Rd. A;
- West along the midline of Concession Rd. A to Lake Simcoe;
- North along the shoreline to the tributary south of Amilia Dr.
Map
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Project Overview to Date
Final Ward Boundary Report
On April 26th, 2021, Strategy Corp Inc presented to Council the final report that outlined the six different ward boundary options that would achieve an effective system of fair representation. At the May 10th Council meeting approved to proceed with Option 5A and that staff prepare a bylaw for Council consideration to redefine the ward boundaries.
Final Report
Interim Report
On Monday, February 22nd, StrategyCorp presented our interim report to Council. The report presented the findings of the first round of consultations, and our preliminary recommendations to Council.
View Interim Report
Public Consultations
Phase 1 Public Consultations was open from January 11th to February 1st. The township conducted one online survey and held two virtual public meetings to solicit feedback on the existing ward boundaries and priorities in designing future wards.
Watch January 20th Public Meeting
Watch January 27th Public Meeting
Phase 2 Public Consultations was open from March 10th to April 2nd. The township conducted one online survey and held two virtual public meetings to solicit feedback on the six different ward boundary options.
Watch March 17th Public Meeting
Watch March 24th Public Meeting
Public Consultations can be viewed on the Township of Ramara YouTube Channel.
Background Information
On Monday, November 23rd, Council approved the retention of StrategyCorp Inc. to conduct an arms-length Ward Boundary Review on behalf of the Township.
The review will consider the following:
- Acceptability of the status quo; and
- Options for reconfiguration of ward boundaries.
Consideration of these parameters will follow the Guiding Principles of Effective Representation and provide options that accommodate projected growth through the 2022, 2026, and 2030 municipal elections.
The Consultant will be responsible for providing recommendations coming out of this review based on its assessment and public consultation.
Ramara’s Council will then decide how to implement the Reports recommendations.
Council would have to pass a by-law to implement any changes to Ramara’s ward boundaries.
Why a Ward Boundary Review
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Ramara’s current ward boundaries have not been reviewed since Ramara’s conception in 1994 – over 25 years ago.
The object of the Review is to ensure that Ramara’s ward boundaries continue to provide a system of effective and equitable representation for all residents.
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Project Timeline
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Phase 1 - Public Consultations 1 - Complete
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From January 11th to February 1st, the township conducted an online survey and held two virtual public meetings to solicit feedback on the existing ward boundaries and priorities in designing future wards.
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Phase 2 - Draft Ward Boundary Options - Complete
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On Monday, February 22nd, StrategyCorp presented the interim report to Council. The report presented the findings of the first round of consultations, and our preliminary recommendations to Council.
A copy of the full Interim Report can be found above.
View Interim Report
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Phase 3 - Public Consultation 2 - Complete
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From March 8th to April 2, StrategyCorp conducted an online survey and two virtual public meetings to get public's input on Ramara’s Draft Ward Boundaries.
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Phase 4 - Final Report
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On April 26th, 2021, Strategy Corp Inc presented to Council the final report that outlined the six different ward boundary options that would achieve an effective system of fair representation. At the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 3rd, 2021, Council will make a decision based on the information identified in this report. After that, a public meeting will be held at a later date to get the community's feedback.
final report
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Guiding Principles of Effective Representation
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The Ward Boundary Review will be guided by the overarching principle of effective representation” as set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in Reference re Provincial Electoral Boundaries which establishes the following guiding principles:
- Representation by Population: wards should have relatively equal population totals. However, a degree of variation is acceptable given differences in geography and population densities as well as the town’s characteristics;
- Population and Electoral Trends: consider anticipated population increases/decreases so that ward sizes will be balanced for up to three terms of Council;
- Means of Communication and Accessibility: group existing neighbourhoods into wards that reflect current transportation and communication patterns;
- Geographic and Topographical Features: use geographical and topographical features to delineate ward boundaries while keeping wards compact and easy to understand; and,
- Community or Diversity of Interests: as far as possible, ward boundaries should be drawn around recognized settlement areas, traditional neighbourhoods and community groupings – not through them.
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Resources
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Approved Terms of Reference
Current Electoral Wards and Boundaries
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