2026 Election At Large or by Wards? 

Council has received inquiries from ratepayers regarding exploring the option to go back to the ward
 system for the next general Municipal election in 2026. If Council were to re-implement the ward system, the process would have to begin shortly to have the bylaw in place a minimum of 180 days prior to the next municipal election in accordance with  The Municipal Act (Part 3 Section 87).

Council is looking for ratepayer feedback prior to making a decision.  

Guidelines and the regulations regarding election by ward system have changed since amalgamation and may not look like the pre-amalgamation ward system that you are familiar with. Before completing the survey, please consider the information provided to make an informed and educated decision. If you would like to discuss further, your current elected officials are available as well as Municipal staff to
 provide information or answer any questions before completing the survey.

 How are wards divided? 

See Section 88 of the Municipal Act

Council must try to achieve an approximately equal number of residents in each ward, and may take into consideration factors including community diversity and interests, topographical features, settlement patterns, and population trends. 

Depending on population densities in different areas, not all wards may be the same size or have the same boundaries as they did in 2015. Council is also left with determining the number of wards for the municipality (between 2-6 wards).

Does each ward have their own budget or mill rate for taxation? 

No. Unlike in 2015, Municipalities are no  longer allowed to tax a differential mill rate for different areas or wards. The differential mill rate authority was extended from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. 

Councillors may be elected by wards but the taxation and budget process will remain at large. The
 Municipality of WestLake-Gladstone made the transition to a single mill rate in 2023.

Who qualifies to be nominated as candidate for municipal elections? 

Candidates must meet election eligibility criteria outlined in Section 90 of the Municipal Act and may look like any of these scenarios (excerpt from Manitoba Municipal Relations Election Official Manual): 

At-Large Elections: A candidate must reside, or own land, anywhere in the municipality for at least 6 months prior to the election to be eligible. 

Candidate is a resident in a ward: if running for councillor, the candidate is eligible to run in any ward that they choose within the municipality. 

Candidate is a resident of one ward, but owns land in another ward: if running for councillor, the candidate is eligible to run in any ward that they choose within the municipality. 

Candidate is a non-resident landowner in a ward: if running for councillor, the candidate is
 eligible to run in any ward they choose within the municipality.

Candidate is a non-resident landowner in more than one ward in the municipality: if
 running for councillor, the candidate is eligible to run in any ward that they choose.

In all cases, a candidate may run for mayor as this position is elected at-large.

Only eligible voters who reside or own property in a ward may vote for the elected official in that ward.