CORMAN PARK DIVISIONAL BOUNDARIES CHANGED

The Government of Saskatchewan has accepted the recommendation of the people of the Rural Municipality of Corman Park to redraw the municipal boundaries and alter the number of divisions from 11 to eight.

Municipal Affairs Minister Darryl Hickie has enacted the changes through a Minister's Order, in accordance with The Municipalities Act.

"Our ministry carefully reviewed the RM's requests; I am confident we have come to the right decision," Hickie said. "The people of Corman Park voted in favour of changing the boundaries to reflect eight divisions, as they believe the changes will enhance their representation on council. They've followed the legislated steps and the process to the letter, from petition to referendum. Clearly, the people have spoken."

Following a successful petition earlier in the year, a citizen group put forward a referendum question for the October 2011 election to redraw the municipal boundaries reducing the number of divisions from 11 to eight. The RM of Corman Park council submitted an additional referendum question suggesting changes to the municipal boundaries but keeping the number of divisions at 11.

The referendum to redraw the boundaries and reduce the number from 11 to eight was passed in the October election, while the referendum to redraw municipal boundaries and keep the 11 divisions was defeated. Council submitted both proposed division boundary plans to the ministry, asking the Minster to make a decision regarding the issue.

In a meeting earlier today with the RM of Corman Park Council, the Minister informed council members that in his Minister's Order he has directed, consistent with the referendum question passed by voters, that the municipal boundaries be redrawn and reduced from 11 to eight divisions. There will be an election February 29, 2012, to elect eight council members, one for each of the newly drawn boundaries. The position of Reeve, which is in addition to the eight council members, is up for re-election in October 2012.

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For more information, contact:

Jeff Welke
Municipal Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6156
Email: jwelke@gov.sk.ca