Comment 49 (24 August 2022) – comments and feedback

Wes McLean

I would like to make suggestions for a slight re-drawing of the northern portion of the Tobique-Mactaquac riding proposal.

Document delivered at the public hearing in Woodstock on 7 September 2022

Presentation to Electoral Boundaries Commission – September 7, 2022

Regarding the proposed redistribution of the Tobique-Mactaquac Electoral District

Wes McLean

Good afternoon Madam Justice Lavigne, Dr. Grondin, and Justice Riordon. Welcome to Tobique-Mactaquac, on the first day of these hearings. First of all, let me commend you for the work you've undertaken; this is certainly a tedious process and I can appreciate all the factors with which you must contend in developing these proposals. I want to salute that work.

I'm Wes McLean. I was in public policy roles from 2003 until last year. From 2010 to 2014, I served as a Member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly for the former electoral district of Victoria-Tobique, which included the municipalities of Perth-Andover, Plaster Rock, Aroostoock, and also included Four Falls and New Denmark.

Four Falls is what brings me here today.

In the new proposal for Madawaska-Restigouche, Four Falls would become part of that riding. However, for a variety of factors, it merits consideration that this section, at the southern tip of the proposed Madawaska-Restigouche, remain in Tobique Mactaquac.

Given its proximity to Aroostook and Perth-Andover, which will be a new, amalgamated municipality soon, and the fact that the majority of residents would shop, work, and have their primary linkages with this community, it seems appropriate that they remain as part of Tobique-Mactaquac.

Despite no longer occupying any public office, I nonetheless receive inquiries and hear concerns from individuals on a variety of topics, almost daily.

This one has been flagged for me.

Let me be clear: I think you have done a tremendous job, but would venture that this change would be helpful in ensuring community of interest considerations are best met.

To ensure that we maintain considerations of community of interest, I therefore propose the following method of dividing the proposed Madawaska-Restigouche and Tobique-Mactaquac ridings:

• The 375 between the Canada-US border and 130 be the dividing line. The north side of the road be a part of Madawaska-Restigouche and the southern side remain in Tobique-Mactaquac.
• The small portion of 130 between the 375 junction and Limestone Siding junction be divided so the western side remains in Tobique-Mactaquac and the Eastern side joins Madawaska-Restigouche
• The Limestone Siding road between the 130 and West River Road, be split so the northern side joins Madawaska-Restigouche and the southern side remains in Tobique-Mactaquac.
• The small section of West River Road between the Limestone Siding Junction and the Brooks Bridge Road junction be split so that the western side joins Madawaska-Restigouche and the eastern side remains in Tobique-Mactaquac.
• The Brooks Bridge road between the West River Road junction and the Saint John River be split so the North side joins Madawaska-Restigouche and the south side remains in Tobique-Mactaquac