Commentaire 36 – commentaires et rétroaction

Adam Chambers

Dear Ms Paula Puddy- Thank you, and the entire commission, for your hard work with respect to the redistribution of federal electoral districts in Ontario. It is a difficult and complex task. This correspondence is with respect to the proposed changes to Simcoe North (the Proposal). There are two issues to address:

I. The name change proposal to Penetanguishene Couchiching

Simcoe North is one of 4 ridings that existed in 1867 that still maintains its original name. Interestingly, the other three (Beauce, Halifax, Shefford) will continue to exist based on the current proposals for the respective regions.

Picking the name of one of our communities (Penetanguishene) would appear to exclude the others. While the shores of 'Couchiching' touch Rama First Nation, Ramara, Orillia and Severn, I have heard from members of these communities that the proposed change may confuse residents.

I understand an objective is to include indigenous language and heritage in riding names. However, I would direct your attention to the thoughtful and balanced submission by Chief Ted Williams (Chipppewas of Rama First Nation) who suggested not moving ahead with a name change until more understanding of the reason for proposing the change.

Simcoe North includes the north part of Lake Simcoe and the northern most parts of Simcoe County. Any name change should include considerable input from all corners of Simcoe North, including indigenous communities. Unfortunately, the Proposal had a compressed timeline and did not allow the opportunity for community members to propose names. With the many cities, towns, municipalities and indigenous populations within Simcoe North, a more comprehensive consultation would lead to greater engagement and thus more support for any name change (or retaining the status quo). This was not possible with the timelines contained in the Proposal.

For all the above reasons, I am not in favour of the proposed name change.

II. The Boundary Changes

The boundaries of Simcoe North have changed many times since 1867.

Of course, no Member of Parliament would enjoy seeing communities disappear from a riding, so there is inherent bias in any MP's view. However, Simcoe North already is within the acceptable range of the target population. Additionally, the projected growth rate for Simcoe North is far smaller than neighbouring ridings, so it is difficult to understand why the Proposal removes population from the riding. It would be unfortunate and confusing to remove communities from Simcoe North now and then potentially repatriate them following a future redistribution.

Highway 12 is a main through fare connecting the riding from east to west and crosses through or near many of Simcoe North's population centres, towns and villages. Thousands of people travel along Highway 12 every day given Orillia is the largest population centre in Simcoe North with large employers, Georgian College, Lakehead University, and major retail destinations. Should the Proposal be finalized, an individual traveling along Highway 12 would enter/exit Simcoe North and enter/exit the neighbouring riding Barrie Springwater Oro-Medonte more than once.

This would be very confusing for people living close to Highway 12 and not just during elections. These communities of interest have been part of Simcoe North for decades and do their shopping, medical care and attend faith services in the larger population centres of Simcoe North.

Regardless, I would ask the Commission to consider submissions from those who live in affected communities, including but not limited to, Warminster, Hawkestone and Bass Lake. I would also recommend the Commission consider, again, the submission by Chief Ted Williams previously referenced, which references lands that form part of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation's traditional territory.

I recognize there are other priorities and external factors the Commission must consider, so I trust that all submissions will be reviewed carefully.

Thank you for your consideration.

adam

Adam Chambers, MP

Simcoe North