Back to SearchOver the last ten months, the City of Burlington reviewed its Council composition and ward boundary structure. As Burlington’s population continues to grow, the review was done to help ensure voters are represented equally in the decision-making process, no matter where they live in the city. Burlington’s last ward boundary review was in 2005 when the city’s population was 139,000. Since this time, the city’s population has grown to approximately 186,948, according to the 2021 Census.
At the May 20, 2025 City of Burlington Council meeting, a bylaw was passed to update Burlington’s ward structure. The changes to the wards will be in place for the 2026 Municipal Election, subject to any appeals.
New ward structure
The bylaw allows for minor changes to Burlington’s current ward structure. Burlington will continue to have six (6) wards with one Local Councillor representing each ward, plus one Mayor elected at large. This structure provides adequate population distribution and population parity while maintaining communities of interest. This structure also garnered the most interest from the public during engagement sessions.
Minor changes to Burlington’s ward boundaries include:
- The community in north Tyandaga will move from Ward 1 to Ward 3
- The Leighland community will move from Ward 2 to Ward 1
- The Palmer community will move from Ward 4 to Ward 3
- The Maple Beach community will move from Ward 1 to Ward 2
Formal notice and appeal process
Notice is hereby given on this 22 day of May 2025, in accordance with Section 222 (3) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, that on May 20, 2025, Burlington City Council enacted Bylaw 30-2025 to alter the wards of the municipality.
Take notice that pursuant to Section 222 (4) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, any person or agency may appeal the bylaw to the Ontario Land Tribunal. To appeal, file a notice of appeal with the City of Burlington setting out the objections to the bylaw and the reasons in support of the objections. A notice of appeal must be filed within 45 days after the bylaw to alter the wards was passed. The final day to file a notice of appeal is Friday, July 4, 2025.
A notice of appeal may be filed with the City Clerk by mail or in person at City Hall, located at 426 Brant St., Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6. Please include a certified cheque or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance in the amount of $1,100.00 when submitting a notice of appeal.
Please note, the right to appeal only applies to the ward structure and not the composition or method of selection for Local or Regional Councillors.
Contact
For more information, please contact Legislative Services by phone at 905-335-7777, ext. 7481, or by email at clerks@burlington.ca. More information about the Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review is available online at getinvolvedburlington.ca/boundaryreview.
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