Next Steps

On January 13, 2026, staff were directed to bring this matter in 2027 for Council's consideration and direction.

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 - Next Steps

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. 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. Following receipt of the Decision, Council considered next steps at its meeting on January 13, 2026 and passed the following motion:

Resolution 2026-8 Moved by Councillor Proderick Seconded by Councillor Lorna Willis

  1. That the report from the Clerk's Division re: Ward Boundary Review OLT Decision and Next Steps dated January 13, 2026 be received;
  2. That the 2025 budget for the Ward Boundary Review be increased by $40,000 to be funded from the Working Fund Reserve; and
  3. That staff be directed to bring this matter in 2027 for Council's consideration and direction.

Motion carried.

Watch and listen to the discussion here: Video

What does this mean for this project? This means that staff will bring this matter to Council in 2027 for consideration and direction.

What does this mean for the 2026 Municipal and School Elections? This means there are no changes to the existing Council composition or ward boundaries for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections. The Municipal Election will be planned and conducted using the existing ward boundaries are shown below. The composition of the 2026-2030 Term of Council will also remain unchanged comprised of:

  • Mayor, elected at large
  • Deputy Mayor, elected at large
  • A Councillor for Ward 1, elected by Ward
  • A Councillor for Ward 2, elected by Ward
  • Three Councillors for Ward 3, elected by Ward

Current Ward Boundaries

Ward Boundary Review Video

Final Option 1

Map of Loyalist Township with final option 1 ward structure

Final Option 2

Map of Loyalist Township with final option 2 ward structure

Example 1

Example 1 Ward Boundary Map

Example 2

Example 2 Ward Boundary map

Example 3

Example 3 Ward Boundary map

Example 4

Example 4 Ward Boundary map

Example 5

Example 5 Ward Boundary map

Example 6

Example 6 Ward Boundary map

Example 7

Example 7 Ward Boundary map

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Township Students Ward Boundary Review

On October 16, students from across Loyalist Township joined us for Local Government Week. The Clerk's Division asked students to take a look at the current ward boundaries and undertake their own ward boundary review and determine how they would split up each ward. See below what Township students came up with!