Is North Bay ready for a ward system?

It's an argument that arises from time to time, and now a North Bay councillor hopes to get a definitive answer.

Marcus Tignanelli has presented a motion, to be reviewed by Council at its meeting next week (Jan. 14) to have the issue studied.

Any change would have to wait until the next municipal election in 2022.

North Bay currently uses an "at large" system where councillors are voted for by the entire electorate. In theory, it makes councillors more impartial and concerned with the problems of the whole community. 

In a ward system, you select a single council member from your own geographical section of the city, called a "ward." Ward elections give groups with a geographic base, a better chance of being represented on the city council, 

The motion asks the clerk to prepare a report on the implementation of a ward system, for information purposes.

"Looking forward to a fact-based report that will allow council to make an educated decision," writes Tignanelli on BayToday's Facebook page. "There has been a lot of conversation surrounding this over the years and it is time that we receive a report with the hard facts. Pending the outcome of the potential report a decision will be based on the report."

The motion is seconded by Councillor Johanne Brousseau.