MD OF BIGHORN – The MD of Bighorn is shaking up its ward boundaries with Lac Des Arcs proposed to leave Ward 2 and join Exshaw in Ward 1.
The majority of council voted in favour of the change in a ward boundary and council composition bylaw that passed first reading at a special meeting of council Monday (Sept. 23). For some, it was not the preferred option but was better than keeping the status quo.
“I’m really torn here as I’ve obviously stated many times today, I’ve heard from the people of Ward 2 specifically about this and it’s very clear to me that Lac Des Arcs was not hoping to be joining a ward with Exshaw,” said Reeve Lisa Rosvold, who represents Ward 2.
A staff report noted numerous Lac Des Arcs residents who responded to a survey of four electoral boundary options cited concerns their voice may be “overshadowed” by those in Exshaw if put in the same ward.
The most favoured option by 106 survey respondents and by Rosvold was to create a new ward exclusively for Dead Man’s Flats, leaving Harvie Heights and Lac Des Arcs together in their own ward – presented as option square. Although this option was also recommended by administration and ISL Engineering – hired to conduct the ward boundary and council composition review, it was voted down by all of council except Rosvold and Ward 4 Coun. Rick Tuza.
That option would also see council maintain its current five councillors, moving one councillor from Ward 1, which has two elected officials. The MD has four wards.
“Now that [option] square is not on the table, it’s still hard for me to proceed with this knowing that it’s something that a lot of the community in Lac Des Arcs would not be supporting,” said Rosvold.
Of those who responded to the ward boundary survey open through July, 71.4 per cent said they live in Ward 2, which currently includes Dead Man’s Flats, Harvie Heights and Lac Des Arcs.
The ward boundary review is primarily in response to population changes within the MD of Bighorn with the goal of creating the most effective and fair representation, as well as right sizing municipal council to balance workloads.
Currently, 43 per cent of the population of the MD falls under Ward 2 but is only represented by one councillor.
The last significant ward boundary review implemented by the MD occurred in 1989 when its population was approximately 1,100. The population has since grown to 1,598 residents in 2021, with much of that growth occurring in Dead Man’s Flats from 2016-21. The hamlet saw an over 200 per cent increase in population in that period, from 125 residents to 377.
The review, conducted by ISL Engineering, also considers projected growth and future development. The largest growth, from 2021-41, is projected to occur in Dead Man’s Flats, to an estimated population high of 642 residents. In Exshaw, high population projections put the hamlet at 526 people from 449.
The two are identified as the MD’s growth communities, where other communities are not anticipating the same level of change. The timing of growth in the two hamlets was considered by the consultant.
“Dead Man’s Flats is growing. It’s getting to a point where probably within the next two [council] terms it might build out to how it’s currently planned. So, that’s going to put a lot of people inside Dead Man’s Flats,” said Doug Fulford, pre-construction and site investigations coordinator with the municipality.
ISL’s report noted that in as little as 10 years, planned future growth in Exshaw and development of the former Seebe townsite may result in increasing underrepresentation in Ward 1.
If the recommended ward boundary option was pursued, the consultant recommended another ward and council composition review occur in the 2033-37 municipal council term.
“We know that Exshaw is now knocking on the door for its own growth, as well, and we may see a lot of that breaking ground in the next five years to 10 years, toward the end of this 10-year period that we spoke about,” said Fulford.
He noted future development plans in Exshaw, like Exshaw Mountain Gateway, which developers began planning for in 2018 and just received subdivision approval for in July, will take years to complete.
Ward 1 Couns. Jenn Smith and Steve Fitzmorris argued there are other nuances with workload representing Exshaw, which is also the industry core of the municipal district.
Mainly, though, Fitzmorris said the boundary review and public engagement period felt rushed and said he believes there was no perfect option presented for all involved.
Any changes made to ward boundaries coming out of the review must be submitted to the province, as per the Municipal Government Act, by Dec. 31, 2024, in the year leading up to the next municipal election.
“We’ve heard a few different ways to tweak this … but we still haven’t found the way that’s right yet, and that’s why I, again, will say if we’re gonna make change, let’s have patience and let’s make proper change to this MD, so that all of the residents are happy,” said Fitzmorris.
“Not all residents are going to come out of this happy today, I can guarantee that. We’re all going to have phone calls at the end of the day.”
It was noted multiple times during the council meeting by administration, members of council and the consultant that ward boundary and council composition reviews need to be conducted more frequently in line with growth trends.
“I don’t want the next council to have to deal with the issue that we’re dealing with today. These kinds of reviews need to be done more often so that the drastic decision that we’re facing today isn’t a problem for somebody in the future. This has to become more regular, every election or second election and not decades [apart],” said Tuza.
After Tuza’s motion to pursue the recommended option moving Dead Man’s Flats to its own ward was defeated by the majority of council, Ward 3 Coun. Alice James put forward a motion to consider option circle instead – moving Lac Des Arcs from Ward 1 to 2.
“I believe that all residents, all ratepayers across the municipality are represented by all councillors all the time,” said James.
“Every community is unique and every community will remain unique.”
Rosvold called the move a “baby step” toward balancing population and democratic representation at council. ISL suggested the option as an alternative to the first recommendation, noting it “improves but doesn’t maximize good governance and democracy.”
“Circle is better than status quo,” said Rosvold. “It’s not my first choice, but it’s better than doing nothing. I really hope that the people of Ward 2 feel that I’ve effectively represented their voice here today and done everything I can to get them what they’re looking for and more equitable representation.”
Fitzmorris was solely opposed to the motion.
Ward 3, representing ranchlands between Waiporous and Ghost Lake and southeast of Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation, as well as Ward 4, representing Benchlands and ranchlands north of the Ghost River, would be unchanged by the move.
In addition to feedback on the electoral boundary and council composition options, council heard most residents want the title of the MD’s CEO to stay the same, keeping the title of reeve instead of changing to mayor.
A petition period will be announced in accordance with the bylaw passing first reading before going to a potential second and third reading.
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.
