Special County Meeting to Consider Electoral Reform

Cumberland Municipal Council is quietly inching toward a new electoral map and a smaller council.

Nelson Bezanson, the county planner, asked council tonight for a special meeting where he could present his final report on electoral reform. Bezanson conducted a number of community meetings and accepted public comments through the internet and telephone.

His report will be tabled on Monday, October 28 when the council will consider its recommendations.

The first decision is whether to retain the current practice of having council elect a Warden who chairs meetings and speaks for the county. The alternative would require a county-wide election for Mayor.

Once that is determined, the council would then consider the number of electoral districts and councillors. There are currently thirteen councillors, but most agree that number should be reduced, perhaps to 8-10.

Once they decide on the number of districts, planners will draw a new electoral map. Given the large, sprawling nature of Cumberland County, consideration must be given to the number of voters and the geographical area that would be served by a councillor.

All of this will be put to council on November 27th and likely at the following meeting as such changes require a first and second reading before a final vote.

Whatever the outcome by the local elected officials, it must also be approved at the provincial level, which means the final outcome will not be known till the new year and put into practice in the fall with the province-wide municipal elections.

Add your comments below.