SWOX Council approves new ward boundaries

Debbie Kasman, Tillsonburg Post Correspondent

South-West Oxford Township (SWOX) Council approved new ward boundaries for the township at its July 8 meeting. These new boundaries will take effect on the day the new council is organized after the 2026 municipal election.

Council provided direction to staff in 2021 to undertake a review of township ward boundaries and council composition because of changing population trends within the township’s existing wards, particularly in Mount Elgin.

The primary goal of reviewing ward boundaries is to ensure that each ward within the township has a proportionate number of residents. This ensures that every resident's vote carries equal weight in local elections and that each councillor represents a reasonably equal number of constituents.

Without periodic reviews, demographic shifts can lead to disparities where some wards become significantly larger or smaller than others in terms of population. By regularly reviewing ward boundaries, the township ensures that the electoral system remains democratic and responsive to changes in population distribution.

Staff completed a preliminary review in August 2023 and data indicated the population count within Ward 2 was over the optimal size and range than the other five wards within the township.

The map shows the placement of the new ward boundaries, which will take effect the day the new council is organized after the 2026 municipal election.