Recommendation of federal boundary commission would see North losing one riding
OTTAWA—Northern Ontario will lose a seat in Parliament, going from 10 to nine seats, if the redistribution report from the federal boundary commission is confirmed by the House of Commons. Under the plan, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing (AMK) will be divvied up amongst surrounding electoral districts (commonly called “ridings”).
Both the governing Liberals and the NDP objected to the loss, while the Conservatives supported the report (much of the redistribution in other regions of the country tend to favour the Conservatives).
“We fought hard, made our voices heard at public hearings and in committee, and yet the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission refused to maintain 10 electoral districts in the North,” said Carol Hughes, MP for AMK reacting to the commission report. “The unfortunate reality is that this new electoral map will mean less representation for Northern Ontarians, more challenges for MPs to represent their riding and a reduced voice in Parliament. It’s disappointing that we didn’t have unanimity in opposing this cut from all parties.”
Pieces of AMK will be going to Sudbury East-Manitoulin-Nickel Belt, Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma and Kapuskasing-Timmins-Mushkegowuk. But it is important to note that the commission also recommends that Parliament address the number of electoral districts in Northern Ontario.
At present, AMK is roughly one-sixth the size of France, one of the largest in the country, while having one of the smaller number of electors. The redistribution will see the surrounding electoral districts balloon in size.
Mr. Angus vowed to continue the fight. “Let’s be clear, this isn’t over,” he said. “If the Commission is recommending an act of Parliament to keep these ridings in the North, then that’s where our next battle will be.”
The popular Northern MP noted that, “it is quite odd that not a single Conservative MP from Northern Ontario bothered to show up at Standing Committee on Procedures and House Affairs to fight for representation in their own backyard, but reading the Conservative’s Dissenting Report from the committee, it’s clear that Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party don’t care about the North losing representation. Their Dissenting Report says ‘Respectfully, we submit that no changes should be made to the Commission’s final proposal for Northern Ontario ridings.’ There’s nothing respectful about not showing up to fight for the people of Northern Ontario.”
Marc Serré, the Liberal MP for the neighbouring Nickel Belt riding that would inherit much of AMK could not be reached for comment.
