Welland is conducting a third-party Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review to ensure the City can provide an effective and equitable system of representation for all residents through the 2026, 2030, and 2034 elections.


What’s being reviewed?

The electoral ward boundaries — how well the City’s current ward boundaries deliver effective representation and new options to re-draw boundaries for Welland’s six wards.

At its January 14 meeting, Council approved the composition of council to remain status quo. Therefore, for information only, this review will also include a report on:

  • The size and structure of Council — the number of councillors on Council and the potential role of an elected Deputy Mayor.
  • How councillors are elected — whether councillors are elected by ward, at-large, or some combination of the two, or how many councillors are elected per ward.

The City’s expert consultant, StrategyCorp, will review all the above elements and make recommendations to Council based on key considerations of:

  • representation by population today
  • future population trends
  • communities of interest
  • physical and natural boundaries
  • the overriding principle of effective representation

Based on the findings and recommendations of this review, Council will make a final decision on whether to make any specific changes to Welland's ward boundaries or maintain the status quo.


How is Welland’s council currently structured?

Welland’s local Council currently has 13 members, one Mayor who is elected at-large by the entire city, and 12 councillors elected by ward. There are six wards (shown below), and each ward elects two councillors.

The City also elects two regional councillors at large, but this review does not include the City’s regional representation system.


How can you get involved?

The public will have opportunities to provide input and feedback through two rounds of public consultation:

  • The public will be consulted on the existing Council and ward boundary structure through a public survey and two public meetings in early May.
  • The public will be consulted on specific possible ward boundary options through a public survey and two public meetings in early July.

For more details on how to participate, check out the announcements and subscribe to this page for regular updates.


Where are we in the engagement process?

Survey