Comment 25 – comments and feedback

Neville Eccleson

Re: Proposal to Cut Local Riding

I am writing this letter because I am concerned about the proposed redistribution with is so divisive.

I have worked for the City in the City for over 37 years. I have lived in Scarborough for most of those years. I have worked with this community for over 30 years. I am one of three Pastors of the church where we have been caring for children from Sunday school to Daycare and other youths in the community.

The proposal divides communities with similar interests and deep, long-standing community ties, and takes away a member of Parliament in the House of Commons. Scarborough residents are losing the representation they need and deserve. Deserve because our community is one of the first to which new comers are introduced. We are the epitome of a multiethnic community and it takes much work to develop the rest need by so many who have lost faith and trust in everyone.

Scarborough has an interconnected local network of health care services, police services, social service organizations, and businesses, and to simply move parts of Scarborough-Agincourt into North York without taking into account the area’s social and economic background would be a huge mistake.

Just to focus on the police service aspect as an example. Victoria Park Ave has been the demarcation line for many years relative to police services. The police service will say it is for administrative purposes but community based policing is done in the local community where trust is most essential and is not built overnight. The redistribution will certainly cause distress in some of the Scarborough communities affected.

The proposal also fails to make into account the fact that our population is still growing. Not just in the long term, but right now. The numbers (census) that gives the notion of a decreasing population in Scarborough is skewed.

Scarborough needs more representation – not less.

Regards,

Neville Eccleston
Elder/Pastor