Comment 6 – comments and feedback

Eija Pietila

When creating the Federal Ridings I understand the importance of using the population census but this should not always be the sole reason.

It is true the population of Toronto did not increase the same as the surrounding areas of Toronto. Covid was a large factor on how the population grew in Toronto. Also Toronto residents fled the city for locations that provided space to work from home, outdoor space and less expensive housing costs. This may be only a temporary setback in the growth of Toronto.

Issue #1

Decreasing the Scarborough Ridings from 6 to 5 should not happen. Why punish Scarborough and not consider the other 19 Ridings in Toronto? Why should Scarborough be moving backwards instead of forwards?

In 2012 Scarborough went from 5 Ridings to 6. This has given Scarborough residents a much better representation in Government. Resulting in Scarborough having power to implement plans for housing development, transportation and economical growth.

By 2029 the subway from Kennedy Station to Sheppard and McCown will be completed. It’s a known fact that transportation corridors result in increased housing development. Decreasing the Ridings in Scarborough weakens the representation and does not make Scarborough strong. Therefore Scarborough should keep the 6 Ridings.

Issue #2 Proposed Boundary

My interest is Scarborough Agincourt because this is where I live. My concern is the proposed Ridings West Boundary . Going from Steeles down Pharmacy a jog left on McNicol then down Warden to 401. The West Boundary should be from Steeles down Victoria Park to 401 which is the current Boundary.

Victoria Park Boundary is of historical importance because this was the Boundary between the City of Scarborough and the City of Toronto. Victoria Park separates North York on the West Side of the Street and Scarborough on the East Side. Since 1987 this has been the Riding Boundary for Scarborough Agincourt. To me, this new proposed Boundary is cutting a part of Scarboroughs arm off and giving it to North York, Don Valley North. Interestingly, the name chosen for the new proposed Riding is Scarborough North West. Yes, we are Scarborough and definitely not North York, we are the North corner of Scarborough , and we are on the West Side of Victoria Park.

You can see my point even with the proposed name.

The proposed Riding name Scarborough North West is a great idea. Scarborough Agincourt was named after the village of Agincourt established 1858. But today we are made up of may different neighbourhoods so I think its a fitting name for this Riding.

Another reason for the Boundary to be Victoria Park is because it is used to divide the Local Integration Health Networks between North York and Scarborough. If you live on the East Side of Victoria Park you use Scarborough Center for Healthy Communities and the Scarborough Health Network. If you live on the West Side you use North York Health Partners.

LHIN also uses Victoria Park in deciding who provides your home care and community support services. If you live on the East Side it’s Central East LHIN if you are on the West Side it’s Central LHIN. From personal experience I moved my Mom who lived 10 minutes away in North York on the West Side of Victoria Park to my home on the East Side. Services now had to be provided by Central East LHIN and all new assessments had to be done.

The proposed Boundary change would put the Senior Persons Living Connected Center (SPLC) on the south west corner of Finch and Warden as part of the Don Valley North Riding. This Center provides essential Multi Cultural Community based care services for the Scarborough Agincourt community home to 68625 immigrants, 69000 speaking a language other than English at home and 84015 that are a visible minority.

This Center provides the supports needed for our community and has a strong connection to Scarborough Agincourt. So the Boundary should be Victoria Park so this important Center stays in the Scarborough Riding.

Changing the Boundary from Victoria Park will cause great confusion to residents, voters, visitors, people, businesses and community services.

Issue #3 Population Growth

I looked at the Population data for Scarborough Agincourt

Population data for Scarborough Agincourt

Year	Population
2006	104,295
2011	104,500
2016	105,540
2021	104,423

Statistics do show the population has maintained a constant level for a few years. Over the years this Riding has not had any major high-rise housing development. Today, along major roads like Sheppard, Finch, and Kennedy there is extensive high-rise housing development happening.

These are some current examples.

• Sheppard and Warden 2 condo towers Pinnacle 630 units with 2023 occupancy.
• East 3220 Sheppard will have 234 units construction started 2022.
• Garden Series2 Sheppard and Warden condo 352 units completion 2024 and 96 townhouses completion 2025.
• Victoria Garden Victoria Park and Morcambe Gate 142 townhouses completion 2023.
• Finch and Pharmacy 85 Townhouses occupancy 2023.
• Finch and Pharmacy construction has started 2Towers 302 rental units.
• The Agincourt Mall location development plans in progress for a 4000 unit housing and commercial complex.
• Kennedy and 401 Village Green complex K Square condo644 units completion 2022.
• The Village Green Development Kennedy And 401 when completed will have 3000 plus units of full range housing with retail.

Because Housing development is so strong in Scarborough Agincourt the growth in population will happen. I suggest that consideration should be made to the extensive high-rise housing development happening which will increase the population count of this Riding. I feel it is short sighted to change the Boundaries of Scarborough Agincourt now and should be looked at after the next census.

Because the Provincial and Municipal Ridings in Ontario follow the Federal Ridings this will cause many time-wasting problems for these Government levels that are not necessary at this time.

Summary:

Scarborough will see a population growth because of extensive housing development.

Leave Scarborough Ridings with 6 no change. Best for Scarborough’s growth is to have strong representation. I feel Scarborough is always the bridesmaid never the bride. It would be nice if Scarborough was recognized as an important and valuable community.

The Proposed Scarborough North West Riding Boundary should be Victoria Park. This is a boundary with a long history. Changing the Boundary will cause confusion in peoples minds. It is very important that the Boundary is Victoria Park because Riding Boundaries do matter.

Mrs. Eija Pietila