Winnipeg to evaluate changes to ward boundaries

Winnipeg will lookinto the possibility of modifying city ward boundaries before the next municipal elections in 2018.

Following a motion brought forward by south Winnipeg councillors Brian Mayes and Janice Lukes, the public service will establisha Ward Boundaries Commission next year and work with Statistics Canada to gather as much socio-demographic data from the upcoming 2016 national census to help evaluate boundaries.

"It's a very live issue in the south end. We've reached the stage now where Coun. Lukes' ward, and I think mine as well, we're the equivalent of an entire provincial riding, 21,000 to 20,000 [more] people than some of the smaller wards," said Mayes, the St. Vital councillor.

He pointed to massive developments such as Sage Creek andWaverleyWest that are adding tens of thousands of new homes south Winnipeg.

Click on each ward to reveal key socio-demographic statistics and how they differ across the city. (Scroll to the bottom of thestory for a quick snapshot of wards by the numbers.)

Source: City of Winnipeg, Statistics Canada

"By looking at the alignment of the wards, it helps up providebetter service to our constituents," said Lukes, the South Winnipeg-St. Norbertcouncillor whoseconded the motion.

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Ultimately, it's about having an equitable distribution of residents to improve services and communication, Mayor Brian Bowman said.

"We want to make sure that it's as easy as possible for our constituents to be connected with each councillor," said Bowman.

City electoral wards by the numbers

Three largest wards:

• Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge:64 squarekilometres
• South Winnipeg - St Norbert:61 km
• St. Vital:58 km

Three smallest wards:

• Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry:14 km
• Mynarski: 13 km
• Daniel McIntyre: 8.5 km

Population,largest andsmallest:

• South Winnipeg-St. Norbert:54,150 residents
• St. Charles:31,910 residents

Median age, highest and lowest:

• North Kildonan: 46 years old
• Daniel McIntyre: 35 years old

Percentage of residents with aboriginal ancestry, highest and lowest:

• Mynarski: 29 per cent
• River Heights-Fort Garry: 5 per cent

Percentage of residents 15+ with post-secondary education, highest and lowest:

• River Heights-Fort Garry: 63 per cent
• Mynarski: 39 per cent

Percentageof labour force that uses public transportation, highest and lowest:

• Daniel McIntrye: 24 per cent
• Charleswood-Tuxedo-Fort Whyte: 7 per cent

Count of households with combined income greater than $125,000, highest and lowest:

• Charleswood-Tuxedo-Fort Whyte: 3,435
• Mynarski: 425

Percentage of homes in need of major repairs, highest and lowest:

• Daniel McIntyre: 17 per cent
• Old Kildonan: 4 per cent

Source: City of Winnipeg, Statistics Canada, 2011 Census and National Household Survey