Division Boundary Changes within a Rural Municipality

Under The Municipalities Act, divisions in rural municipalities (RMs) are established for election purposes. Each division is represented by one council member who is elected by eligible voters of the division.

The RM council can request to create, eliminate, renumber or alter its divisions to better represent the interests of its ratepayers. A RM council can also decide to eliminate all division boundaries and have its voters elect all council members at large with no reference to divisions.

Since January 1, 2023, all RMs are required to have a division boundary review policy that provides that each division has, as nearly as reasonably practical, the same population or number of voters. RM council must determine whether to apply to the Minister of Government Relations to alter division boundaries each time a review is conducted under the RM’s policy. An RM may also review its divisions on its own initiative at any time and for any reason.

Process

Alterations to division boundaries are ordered by the Minister of Government Relations. A request made to the minister should include:

• A certified copy of the resolution of council detailing the nature of the request;
• An explanation of the reasons for the requested change(s);
• An outline of the public consultation undertaken and any public submissions received; and
• A map and description of each new division (as applicable).

Alterations to division boundaries come into effect at the next scheduled general election where an application has been made at least 180 days prior to the general election date.