A small citizen group has launched a petition calling for Bothwell and Zone Township to secede from Chatham-Kent.
The petition, which has been in circulation since September 2024, requests that the Ontario government “release” the town and township from the municipality and amalgamate it with Lambton County as a lower-tier municipality to govern itself.
Bothwell and Zone Township were amalgamated as part of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent in 1998.
Spokesperson Emery Huszka said his group is a “loose committee of citizens talking to each other,” made up of 18 to 20 residents. He said the group feels the town and township are typically overlooked by the municipality and council.
“I want to stress that this is not a slam [against] Chatham-Kent. They’re our neighbours, they’re our friends, they’re good people. It’s just a matter of governance that we believe we could do better for our local community,” said Huszka. “Spending priorities in Chatham-Kent have been, year-by-year, degrading in our community.”
Huszka expressed several concerns about recent decisions by CK Council including changes made to the maintenance on gravel roads and the elimination of dust suppression on those roads during municipal budget deliberations for 2025.
He said these decisions were out of touch with rural needs.
There have also been ongoing council discussions regarding changes to the composition of Chatham-Kent Council, with current recommendations calling for a reduction in the number of council seats in all but one ward. Huszka said he worries this could lead to a reduction in representation for rural residents.
“As we see our local services more and more under threat, it’s that disconnect that we’re more fearful of,” he said. “And losing council voices in the rural communities, that doesn’t help the situation, that further exacerbates the gap.”
While he did not know how many signatures the petition has garnered since September, Huszka said the group hopes to gain the support of all eligible voters in the community.
Huszka said the petition will be delivered to Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault to take to Queens Park in the coming weeks.
While no official discussions have taken place between the community group and any elected officials, Pinsonneault told CKXS News that he is aware of the petition and that he appreciates the concerns raised by local residents.
“It’s important to recognize that decisions regarding municipal restructuring or amalgamation are complex and involve multiple levels of government, with careful consideration given to a range of factors,” Pinsonneault said in an emailed statement.
Pinsonneault added that he will continue to monitor the situation and plans to ensure all voices are heard as discussions continue.
While I cannot predict the province’s position on this specific petition, I believe it is essential for all stakeholders—residents, local leaders, and provincial authorities—to be part of a thorough consultation process. The final decision would depend on a variety of factors, including the potential impact on both the local and broader regional community,” he said.
