Ward Boundary Review

About the Project

The Loyalist Township Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review is now complete. The purpose of the ward boundary review was to review the existing electoral arrangements to develop an effective and equitable system of representation. Council composition, options for how Council representatives are elected, existing ward boundaries, and whether residents have equitable access to their elected representatives were reviewed under this project.

The goal of the review was to assess the current Council composition and establish a ward structure that will accommodate growth and population shifts for at least the next three municipal elections.

Council Composition and Ward Boundaries - Final Decision

At the May 13, 2025 meeting, Loyalist Council enacted a By-law 2025-39 to establish a new ward boundary configuration in Loyalist Township. With the changes to the ward configuration, Loyalist Township would be divided into five wards. Council would be comprised of seven members, including the mayor (elected at-large), deputy mayor (elected at-large), and five councillors elected by Ward (one from each of the five wards). The proposed new ward boundaries are shown below.

Since 1998, Loyalist Township’s Council has been comprised of seven members, including the mayor (elected at-large), deputy mayor (elected at-large), and five councillors, elected in three wards. The current ward boundaries follow the original borders of Amherst Island Township, Ernestown Township, and the Village of Bath prior to amalgamation to form Loyalist Township.

At the May 13, 2025 meeting, Loyalist Council enacted a By-law 2025-39 to establish a new ward boundary configuration in Loyalist Township. With the changes to the ward configuration, Loyalist Township would be divided into five wards. Council would be comprised of seven members, including the mayor (elected at-large), deputy mayor (elected at-large), and five councillors elected by Ward (one from each of the five wards).

In accordance with Section 222 of the Municipal Act, By-law 2025-39 was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). On December 18, 2025, the OLT made an order repealing By-law 2025-39. This means the changes proposed in By-law 2025-39 is not in effect and there are no changes to the existing Council composition or ward boundaries for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections. Review the Decision.

The ward boundaries in effect are shown below.