TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site (https://thepublicrecord.ca/series/ontario-municipal-board-hamilton-ward-boundary-review-liveblogs/)
The Public Record’s liveblog coverage and analysis of the Ontario Municipal Board’s review of Hamilton City Council’s ward boundaries.
If Council chooses to file a Divisional Court challenge against the OMB ruling, they must do so as a judicial review. An appeal isn’t a stay.
The standard for judicial review is reasonableness not correctness, the Dunsmuir Test (after the 2008 Supreme Court of Canada decision), and deference to specialized tribunals and bodies.
The Ontario Municipal Board has overturned Council’s gerrymandered ward boundaries, imposing the Watson and Associations final report Option 2 which creates a new Mountain ward and eliminates the present Ward 14; splitting the existing rural ward between Dundas and Ancaster’s existing Wards 12 and 13.
During the past 20 years, the OMB has wrestled with municipal representation since the mega-amalgamations of the late stages of Premier Mike Harris’ government. With Hamilton’s Ward Boundary OMB hearing, ELTO Executive Chair Dr. Krushelnicki looks poised to set a framework to clarify how to balance numerous criteria and interests in creating municipal wards.
After two days of pre-hearing, and seven days of hearings, the Ontario Municipal Board case reviewing Hamilton’s ward boundaries enters closing arguments today.
The day starts with appellant Robert Dobrucki on the stand to give his testimony and evidence in the matter.
Following this, Land Use and Planning Expert Gary Scandlan will return to the stand for cross-examination by Dobrucki.
Today, we’ll have start with participant statements in the morning. This afternoon, Dr. Robert Williams, an expert in municipal ward boundaries who was involved with the Watson & Associates team, is on the stand for the City being cross-examined.
Today, we’ll have testimony and arguments from each side during the day. In the evening, starting at 6:30pm, participant statements will being and run until 9:30pm. Statements will continue tomorrow morning.
Day Three of the Ontario Municipal Board hearing into City Council’s new Ward Boundaries is underway. Today, the City will continue to present its case to the Board. The day beings with Dr. Bill Freeman on the stand for the City to provide testimony on history and sociology of Hamilton. Catch up Thursday’s liveblog and Friday’s liveblog. Follow along with our liveblog below.
Today, the City will continue to present its case to the Board. The day beings with Gary Scandlan, of Watson & Associates, on the stand. He is an expert on Land Use and Population Forecasting.
Follow along with our liveblog
The Ontario Municipal Board hearing into Council’s latest ward boundaries proposal is underway today.
The Public Record is liveblogging the hearing.