Public x Report No. 11-10-1317 Private Date: October 18, 2011

HALIFAX REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board Electoral Boundary Report

PURPOSE: To provide the Board with information regarding the upcoming electoral boundary hearing at the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

BACKGROUND: On July 27, 2011, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) released its decision regarding the number of electoral districts and councillors representing the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). The number of electoral districts and councillors has been reduced from 23 to 16 plus the Mayor. Based on this decision, HRM’s electoral boundaries will be significantly altered for the October 2012 election.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board determined the number of electoral boundaries and directed HRM to formulate the altered districts. HRM has provided two scenarios and gathered public comment regarding these proposed electoral districts. On October 21, 2011, HRM will submit the proposed boundaries to the NSUARB which will hold a hearing on November 7, 2011. It is in the mandate of the NSUARB to make the final determination of the electoral boundaries. This decision will be based on both public comment and legislative requirements.

The primary consideration in electoral district reviews is voter equality, which endeavours to achieve relative parity across electoral districts and is measured by calculating and comparing the variances in the number of electors per district.

The NSUARB has determined the acceptable variances in the number of voters per electoral district. The decision in respect of HRM’s boundary application in 2004 application in part stated:

… as noted in its February 2004 municipal boundary decision respecting HRM, the Board now expects variances for relative parity between polling districts to be within +/- 10%, only allowing variances up to +/- 25% in extraordinary circumstances where the municipality provides a detailed written explanation confirming that factors such as community of interest or geography clearly justify the necessity of an increased variance in a polling district. (2004 NSUARB 78)

Section 43 of the Education Act requires:

… in the year 1999 and every eighth year thereafter, every school board shall apply to the Utility and Review Board to confirm or change the number and boundaries of the electoral districts in the school district or school region. 1995-96, c.1, s. 43; 1998, c.18, s. 555 - 1 -

In 2008, the Halifax Regional School Board submitted an application to NSUARB to change the number of electoral boundaries and Board members to eight elected members in addition to the Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian representatives. The NSUARB reduced the number of electoral districts to eight and the number of elected members to nine (eight elected by district and the African Nova Scotian representative).

Section 42 of the Education Act states that “A school board consist of such number of members, not less than eight nor greater than eighteen, as determined by order of the Utility and Review Board.”

As outlined, the Halifax Regional School Board would be required by the Education Act to apply to the Utility and Review Board to confirm or change the boundaries in 2016. However, HRSB has decided to file an application to the NSUARB to change its electoral districts for the following reasons:

• in accordance with Section 44 of the Education Act, the UARB considers the boundaries of municipal polling districts and wards when it determines the electoral boundaries for school board districts;

• school board elections are held at the same time as municipal elections and HRSB is responsible for incidental election costs related to the election of its members and with vastly different electoral districts the cost would be significant; and

• closely aligned electoral boundaries between HRM and HRSB will lessen voter confusion.

The number of elected Board members and districts will not be reduced; however, the geographical area of each district will be altered.

CONTENT: HRM presented two options for the public’s consideration and comment. During the consultation process, staff from HRM and HRSB worked collaboratively to determine mutually acceptable boundaries.

HRM’s public consultation concluded on October 14, 2011 with a staff report and recommendation being tabled with Regional Council on Tuesday, October 18, 2011. Based on public comment and staff’s recommendation the following motion was put and passed:

Moved by Councillor Walker, seconded by Councillor Streatch, that Halifax Regional Council recommend to the NSUARB Option 1 as revised during the public consultation process with the 16 polling district boundaries as outlined in Attachment 1 of the October 14, 2011 staff report.

- 2 - Attachment 1 of this report depicts the proposed electoral boundaries as well as graphically outlines each district.

For school board electoral district purposes, two Municipal boundaries would be consolidated to create one School Board boundary.

This option divides the HRM into sixteen districts, generally maintaining and urban, suburban, and rural division. This option would result in eight HRSB electoral districts as follows:

District 1 – HRM A and C District 2 – HRM E and D District 3 – HRM F and G District 4 – HRM I and J District 5 – HRM H and K District 6 – HRM L and M District 7 – HRM N and P District 8 – HRM B and O

Staff reviewed this option and would offer the following analysis:

Advantages • Generally maintains identifiable communities of interest across all of HRM; • Voter parity of most districts is within the 10% variance • Generally follows community boundaries and where required uses other identifiable boundaries to shape the polling districts; • From a municipal perspective, the primarily rural district in the eastern shore is maintained as well as maintaining communities of interest in the south western coastal areas of HRM; • This scenario is the preferred option as it better represents the family of schools and communities of interest.

Disadvantages • Given that HRSB electoral boundaries are comprised of two municipal electoral boundaries there are proposed districts which will have an urban/suburban split and a rural/suburban split. This is evident with Eastern Shore and Cole Harbour being consolidated as well as the south end of Halifax and the northwest arm communities; • There will be significant change in the Dartmouth East and Cole Harbour Electoral Districts. There is a requirement by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board that Lake Loon, Cherry Brook and Cole Harbour be maintained as one polling district. To ensure voter parity and respect the aspirations of surrounding communities, it would be difficult to revise the proposed boundary; • Proposed changes to the Halifax Peninsula districts create proposed HRSB boundaries that have an urban/suburban split. This is necessary given the voter parity requirement and the significant change to the municipal boundaries;

- 3 - • Although this is the preferred option in respecting the Family of Schools structure, there are areas that the Families of Schools will be split; however, this occurs in the existing electoral districts.

The Board will distribute this report to School Advisory Councils for feedback and will post the report on its website at www.hrsb.ns.ca . The Board will accept public input on the report at [email protected] .

COST: In 2008, the incidental election costs to the Board was, approximately $320,000.00 and should the Board not amend the existing boundaries an additional cost of approximately $420,000.00 would be incurred.

FUNDING: Election costs are under the purview of the Board Governance budget.

TIMELINE: Approved electoral boundaries to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in for November 2011 to be implemented for Municipal and School Board elections in fall 2012.

APPENDICES: Appendix 1 – Proposed overall elec toral districts and individual district maps Appendix 2 – Voter populations and variance by district Appendix 3 – Polling District Descriptions Appendix 4 – List of Schools in each proposed district

RECOMMENDATIONS: Senior Staff recommends that the governing Board approve the electoral boundaries and forward them to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for consideration.

COMMUNICATIONS:

AUDIENCE RESPONSIBLE TIMELINE Community via Web Doug Hadley Immediately School Advisory Councils Danielle McNeil-Hessian Following the Board meeting Department of Education Charles Clattenburg Following the Board meeting Halifax Regional Municipality Selena Henderson Following the Board meeting

From: For further information, please contact Charles Clattenburg, Director of Operations Services or Jill McGillicuddy, Planner – Operations Services by way of e-mail at [email protected] or at 464-2000 ext 2277.

To: Senior Staff: October 18, 2011 Full Board: October 26, 2011

- 4 - Appendix 1 – District Maps

Overall District Boundaries

Source: Halifax Regional School Board

- 5 - Proposed District A

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 6 - Proposed District B

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 7 - Proposed District C

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 8 - Proposed District D

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 9 - Proposed District E

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 10 - Proposed District F

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 11 - Proposed District G

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 12 - Proposed District H

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 13 - Proposed District I

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 14 - Proposed District J

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 15 - Proposed District K

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 16 - Proposed District L

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 17 - Proposed District M

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 18 - Proposed District N

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 19 -

Proposed District O

Source: Halifax Regional Municipality

- 20 - Appendix 2 – Voter population and variance by district

Total Projected Voters 327,615 Districts 8 Voters per District 40,951 Above 10% 45,046 Below 10% 36,856

Source: Environics Analytics and Halifax Regional Municipality

District Voters Deviation District 1 36,089 -11.9 District 2 38,240 7.7% District 3 39,972 -2.4% District 4 44,330 +8.2% District 5 43,519 +6.2% District 6 42,044 +2.6% District 7 39,548 -3.5% District 8 40,567 -1%

- 21 - Appendix 3 – Description of Districts

Polling District Descriptions – Recommended Scenario as provided by Halifax Regional Municipality

District A/1 – Eastern Shore/Musquodoboit Valley (3903 sq. km) The district encompasses the largely rural/coastal areas of HRM along the Eastern Shore and the Musquodoboit Valley.

Commencing at the communities of Porters Lake and the Chezzetcook’s the district continues along Highway 7 to the furthest eastern most communities of HRM and, taking in all communities on the connecting provincial highways (374,224,357) through to the Musquodoboit Valley. The district then extends through the Musquodoboit Valley following the boundaries of HRM including the communities of Carroll’s Corner, Dutch Settlement, Lantz and Elmsdale (HRM portions), returning to Porters Lake following the community boundaries of Devon and Meaghers Grant.

District B/2 –Fall River/ Waverley/Beaver Bank/Sackville (424 sq. km) Starting at the North West reaches of HRM and including the communities of Goff’s, Enfield and the Airport, the district extends along highway 102 including the communities of Fletcher’s Lake, Oakfield, Wellington, Fall River, Lakeview and Windsor Junction. The district also incorporates the community of Waverley along Highway 118. Moving westerly from Windsor Junction the district includes the communities of Lakeview, Beaver Bank, Middle Sackville (the portion north of Margeson Dr.) and Upper Sackville.

District C/3 – Cole Harbour/Westphal/Lawrencetown/Prestons (201 sq. km) The district includes the north eastern portion of Cole Harbour along with the communities of Westphal, Lake Loon and Cherry Brook along with East and North Preston and surrounding areas through to Mineville and the coastal communities from Lawrencetown through to Lake Echo.

Commencing where Main Street intersects the Forest Hills Parkway this district includes the communities of Lake Loon, Cherry Brook, Westphal and the north eastern portion of Cole Harbour. Moving easterly along the Lawrencetown Rd the district includes the communities of Lawrencetown, East Lawrencetown, Three Fathom Harbour, Seaforth, Grand Desert and West Porters Lake. Moving easterly along Highway 7 the district includes Mineville, Lake Echo, East Preston and North Preston.

District D/4 –Colby Village/Cow Bay/Eastern Passage (53 sq. km) The district includes the neighbourhood of Colby Village as well as Cow Bay, Eastern Passage and Shearwater.

Commencing at Caldwell Road and Cole Harbour Road the district includes the Colby Village portion of Cole Harbour and extends along Bissett Rd to the community of Cow Bay. Following Cow Bay Road and the coast line the district includes Eastern Passage and continues along the 322 Highway into Shearwater terminating at the community boundary. The boundary follows the Shearwater community boundary north easterly to reconnect at Caldwell Road.

District E/5 – Dartmouth East (16 sq. km) The district commences at the southerly boundary of Dartmouth where Pleasant St and Main Rd intersect. The boundary continues along Pleasant St to Highway 111 encompassing the neighbourhood of South Woodside. From there the boundary follows Highway 111 to Main St, moving easterly along the center of Main St to the Forest Hills Parkway. The boundary then turns southerly to generally follow the community boundaries of Westphal/Dartmouth & Cole Harbour to run between Kirkland and Glenalva Crts to Circassion Dr and along Circassion Dr to the Forest Hills Pky. and along the parkway to Cole Harbour Road and continuing westerly to Caldwell Rd including Wexford Rd, the western portion of Delta Dr., Cherrywood Dr and all associated Streets.

- 22 - The district includes the neighbourhoods of South Woodside, Russell Lake, Portland Estates and Portland Hills and Woodlawn.

District F/6- Dartmouth Centre (11 sq. km) The district includes most of old Dartmouth within the circumferential highway.

Starting at Highway 111 the boundary continues northerly until the intersection with Woodland Ave. The boundary then extends down the center of Woodland Ave to the intersection with Victoria Rd. and continues southerly onto Boland Rd to Jamieson St and south westerly to the Harbour.

District G/7 – Dartmouth North/the Lakes (58 sq. km) The district includes Dartmouth North, Burnside, Dartmouth Crossing and Dartmouth the Lakes.

The district commences at the intersection of Highway 111 and Main St (the shared boundary with District E/5) and continues east to Forest Hills Ext, north to the community boundary with Montague Gold Mines and into Waverley just south of the Silversides neighbourhood. The boundary then heads west to Windmill Rd at the community boundary between Dartmouth and Bedford and then southerly to the boundary with District F/6 at Jamieson St.

District H/8 – Peninsula South (8 sq. km) The district takes in the southern portion of the peninsula of Halifax. The district includes Spring Garden Rd and the majority of the historic downtown of Halifax along Barrington St to the Harbour. This district also includes Point Pleasant Park and Sable Island.

The boundary commences at the North West Arm and commencing at the bottom of Jubilee Rd. follows Jubilee Rd to Oxford St and extends north along Oxford St to Quinpool Rd. then extends along the centre line of Quinpool Rd. to Cogswell St. The boundary then moves along Cogswell St at the commons to North Park St. to North Park St and northward to Cornwallis St and down Cornwallis St to the harbour.

District I/9- Peninsula North (7 sq. km) The district takes in the dockyards, container port and the Gottingen St & Agricola St Business Areas as well as the Hydrostone neighbourhood. The district follows the shared boundary with District H/8 and takes in the northern portion of the peninsula of Halifax. At the corner of Oxford St and Quinpool Rd. the boundary moves northward along Oxford to Bayers Rd and westward to Joseph Howe Dr. The boundary then moves northward along Connaught Avenue to the Bedford Highway and follows the harbour at the Bedford Basin to the lower end of Cornwallis St. The boundary then turns up Cornwallis St. following the boundary between District H/8 Peninsula South to North Park St, along the commons at Cogswell St. to Quinpool Rd to return to the corner of Oxford St. and Quinpool Rd.

District J/10 – Fairview/Clayton Park (8 sq. km) The district takes in the neighbourhood of Fairview, Rockingham and the majority of Clayton Park below Dunbrack Street including Mount St. Vincent University. This district extends from the boundary with District I/9 at Joseph Howe Drive along the Bedford Highway to Princes Walk

The boundary, just north of Princes Walk, crosses to the Bedford/Halifax community boundary on Kearney Lake Road and extends back along Kearney Lake Road to Dunbrack Street and along Dunbrack Street to Lacewood drive. The district includes the streets of Clayton Park West above Dunbrack Street (Chadwick, Chelsea, and Harrington Streets) and extends past the western portion of Washmill Lake Drive to Highway 102 and proceeds down Highway 102 back to Joseph Howe Drive.

- 23 - District K/11 – Peninsula West/ Armdale (12 sq. km) This district takes in a portion of the western peninsula of Halifax and extends from the roundabout to include the community of Armdale and associated neighbourhoods, along with residences on and adjacent to the Herring Cove Rd as far as the Williams Lake Rd and along the Purcell’s Cove Rd just past Hall’s Rd.

The boundary extends from Oxford St on Halifax Peninsula up Bayers Rd to Connaught Ave and along Joseph Howe Dr. to Highway 102. The boundary then extends along Highway 102 and back to the North West Arm Dr. to Cherry Lane. The boundary then follows Penney, Hillary and Mont Streets to the Herring Cove Rd and along the Herring Cove Rd to extend behind the streets off of the Williams Lake Rd to the Purcell’s Cove Rd to just past Halls Rd. The boundary then returns along the North West Arm towards the roundabout as far as the bottom of Jubilee Road where it turns up Jubilee Rd to join at the corner of Oxford St and Jubilee Rd.

District L/12 – Clayton Park West/ Beechville/Timberlea (84 sq. km) This district takes in the western portion Clayton Park above Dunbrack Street to Park Land Drive (including the Canada Games Centre) along with the Bayer’s Lake retail centre and extends along the St Margaret’s Bay Road as far as Exit 4 of Highway 103 to include the communities of Beechville, Lakeside and Timberlea.

The boundary commences at the Bayer’s Lake interchange of Highway 102 and extends northwest along Highway 102 to the intersection with North West Arm Dr. It then traverses behind Birchdale Crescent and Westridge Drive to connect with Lacewood Drive. The boundary then moves easterly along Lacewood Drive to Dunbrack Street on onward to the Kearney Lake Road interchange. The boundary continues along Highway 102 to Larry Uteck Blvd and across to the Kearney Lake Road and then onto the Bedford/Halifax community boundary. The boundary continues westerly across country to Exit 4 on Highway 102. The boundary then extends westerly to Nine Mile River encompassing the community of Otter Lake and returns to the interchange at Highway 102 and Highway 103 where it commenced.

District M/13- Spryfield/Sambro/Prospect Rd (354 sq. km) The district includes Spryfield and Leiblin Park and the communities along Highway 349 and 306 known as the Sambro Loop. The district also includes the coastal portion of the Purcell’s Cove Rd/Highway 253 as well as the communities known as the “Prospect Communities” extending from Goodwood along Prospect Rd as far as the Peggy’s Cove preservation area.

District N/14 –South Shore/Hammonds Plains (685 sq. km) The district stretches from Hubbards to Upper Tantallon along the St Margarets Bay Rd, and then from Tantallon to the Peggy’s Cove preservation area (including Peggy’s Cove) along the Peggys Cove Rd. Inland the communities of Hubley, Lewis Lake, Stillwater Lake, Upper Hammonds Plains, Lucasville are included as well as the neighbourhoods of Kingswoods North and South.

The boundary extends from the Peggy’s Cove preservation area (including Peggy’s Cove) across St. Margaret’s Bay to the furthest west boundary of HRM at Hubbards, including in the district the communities along Peggys Cove Rd to Tantallon and along St Margarets Bay Rd to Hubbards. The boundary then follows the line between HRM and Lunenburg and Hants Counties to Highway 101 at Upper Sackville. The boundary then follows the Sackville River to Westpoint Drive in the community of Lucasville and follows the community boundary line of Lucasville to include Lucasville and Kingswood North and South within the district. The boundary then turns west again to follow the community boundary lines between Hammonds Plains and Timberlea to connect with Highway 103 at Exit 4. The boundary follows the 103 south to the community boundary of Otter Lake and extends west across country following community boundary lines to reconnect to Peggy’s Cove Rd at Peggy’s Cove.

- 24 - District O/15 –Sackville (27 sq. km) The district follows the community boundary of Lower Sackville with the exception of the eastern most boundaries along Cobequid Rd, which excludes the subdivision of Stone Mount. The district also includes the portion of the community of Middle Sackville south of Margeson Dr.

District P/16 – Bedford/Bedford South & West (50 sq. km) The district includes the accepted community boundary of Bedford as well as the new and growing Bedford West and South neighbourhoods and a portion of the old City of Halifax adjacent to Shaunslieve Dr.

The boundary commences at the boundary with Districts O/15 and N/14 at the Sackville River and follows the Sackville River to Highway 102 and the Bedford By-pass. The boundary then follows the Bedford Community boundary to Windmill Road above the Burnside Industrial Park and out into the Bedford Basin. The boundary then extends across the Basin to Shaunslieve Dr where it continues westerly across country to Highway 102. The boundary follows Highway 102 to Exit 2B and continues westerly to the Kearney Lake Road running along the centre of Kearney Lake in conjunction with the boundary of District L/12. The boundary then extends up the Kearney Lake Road (incorporating both sides) to the intersection with the Hammonds Plains Road and continues across country to reconnect at the Sackville River.

- 25 - Appendix 4 – List of schools in the proposed districts (Please note that although a school is located in a district the catchment area may extend into one or more districts)

District 1 Atlantic View Elementary Auburn Drive High Bell Park Academic Centre Cole Harbour District High Colonel John Stuart Elementary Duncan MacMillan High Dutch Settlement Elementary Eastern Consolidated Elementary Eastern Shore District High Gaetz Brook Junior High George Bissett Elementary Graham Creighton Junior High Humber Park Elementary Joseph Giles Elementary Lakefront Consolidated Elementary Musquodoboit Rural High Musquodoboit Valley Education Centre Nelson Whynder Elementary O'Connell Drive Elementary Oyster Pond Academy Porters Lake Elementary Ross Road School Sheet Harbour Consolidated Elementary Upper Musquodoboit Consolidated Elementary

District 2 Astral Drive Elementary Astral Drive Junior High Bel Ayr Elementary Brookhouse Elementary Caldwell Road Elementary Colby Village Elementary Eastern Passage Education Centre Ellenvale Junior High Eric Graves Memorial Junior High Mount Edward Elementary Ocean View Elementary Portland Estates Elementary Prince Andrew High Robert Kemp Turner Elementary Seaside Elementary Sir Robert Borden Junior High Tallahassee Community Elementary

District 3 Admiral Westphal Alderney Elementary Bicentennial School Caledonia Junior High Crichton Park Elementary Dartmouth High - 26 - Harbour View Elementary Hawthorn Elementary Ian Forsyth Elementary John MacNeil Elementary John Martin Junior High Prince Arthur Junior High Shannon Park Elementary South Woodside Elementary Southdale-North Woodside Elementary

District 4 Burton Ettinger Elementary Clayton Park Junior High Duc d'Anville Elementary Fairview Heights Elementary Fairview Junior High Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary Highland Park Junior High Joseph Howe Elementary Oxford School Rockingham Elementary St. Catherine's Elementary St. Joseph's-Alexander McKay Elementary St. Stephen's Elementary

District 5 Chebucto Heights Elementary Citadel High Cornwallis Junior High Cunard Junior High Gorsebrook Junior High Inglis Street Elementary John W. MacLeod – Fleming Tower Elementary LeMarchant-St. Thomas Elementary Saint Mary’s Elementary St. Agnes Junior High St. Catherine’s Elementary Sir Charles Tupper Elementary Springvale Elementary Westmount Elementary

District 6 Atlantic Memorial – Terence Bay Elementary Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Elementary Brookside Junior High Central Spryfield Elementary Elizabeth Sutherland School Halifax West High Harrietsfield Elementary Herring Cove Junior High J.L. Ilsley High Park West School Prospect Road Elementary Ridgecliff Middle School Rockingstone School - 27 - Sambro Elementary William King Elementary

District 7 Basinview Drive Community Bedford Junior High Bedford South School C.P. Allen High East St. Margaret’s Elementary Five Bridges Junior High Hammonds Plains Consolidated Kingswood Elementary Madeline Symonds Middle School Shatford Memorial Elementary Sir John A. Macdonald High St. Margaret’s Bay Elementary Sunnyside Elementary Tantallon Elementary

District 8 A.J. Smeltzer Junior High Ash Lee Jefferson Elementary Beaver Bank – Kinsac Elementary Beaver Bank – Monarch Elementary Caudle Park Elementary Cavalier Drive School Georges P. Vanier Junior High Gertrude Parker Elementary Harold T. Barrett Junior High Harry R. Hamilton Elementary Hillside Park Elementary Holland Road Elementary Leslie Thomas Junior High Lockview High Millwood Elementary Millwood High Oldfield Consolidated Elementary Sackville Centennial Elementary Sackville Heights Elementary Sackville Heights Junior High Sackville High Smokey Drive Elementary Sycamore Lane Elementary Waverley Memorial Elementary

- 28 -