Comment 41 (22 August 2022) – comments and feedback
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The documents below are posted in the official language in which they were received.
Kathy Bockus, MLA for Saint Croix
As the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saint Croix, I do not believe it is in the best interests of the Village of McAdam to be removed from the federal riding of New Brunswick Southwest (proposed as Saint John?St.Croix).
Letter received from Ms. Bockus on 23 August 2022
Dear Commission Members,
I would like to begin by thanking you for the work you are doing on behalf of all New Brunswickers to ensure that our province is fairly and effectively represented in the House of Commons.
As the member of the New Brunswick Legislature representing the Village of McAdam I am writing this letter to lend my support to the request from that village to remain in the riding of New Brunswick Southwest (now Saint John-Saint Croix) contrary to changes proposed by your Commission on June 16, 2022.
As the MLA for the community, and after consultation with McAdam Mayor Ken Stannix, I do not believe it is in the best interests of the people of McAdam to be removed from New Brunswick Southwest (now Saint John—Saint Croix).
Both economically and culturally McAdam and its residents are more closely aligned with Charlotte County, than the communities in Tobique—Mactaquac.
The commissioners for the 2013 redistribution of provincial electoral boundaries understood this and moved the riding of Charlotte—Campobello north to encompass McAdam and later renamed the riding St. Croix.
Moreover, the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission (RSC 10) includes both McAdam and communities like St. Stephen, Saint Andrews, and Campobello. If the electoral maps were to remain as currently proposed, McAdam would be cut off from every other community in RSC 10.
I would also note, as an elected representative at the provincial level, that having my riding fall entirely within the boundaries of a single federal riding significantly facilitates cooperation between different levels of government.
Thank you for your consideration of this letter. I hope this will help you in your work to ensure New Brunswickers are well represented in Ottawa.
Sincerely,
Kathy Bockus
MLA for Saint Croix