Comment 7 – comments and feedback

Nityanand Deckha

My name is Nityanand Deckha and I currently live in the federal electoral district of Etobicoke-Lakeshore.

I have reviewed the proposal for redistributing Ontario's federal electoral districts and wanted to raise the following concerns:

First, I remain concerned regarding the continued under-representation of Ontario's electoral voice in the House of Commons. Despite a population growth of more than 1 million, Ontario is only being allocated one extra seat. I reviewed the calculations of the electoral quotient, but the quotient of 121,000 or so people continues to allow all of the smaller provinces greater representation than more heavily populated provinces. Hence, I would suggest a reconsideration of this decision.

Second, as a resident of Toronto, I am dismayed that the city is losing a seat despite population growth. While I appreciate other parts of the province have experienced higher growth, I do think that, given the continued under-representation of urban voters (and the over-representation of rural voters), consideration be given to maintaining Toronto's existing amount of 25 seats. This could be done by revisiting the allocation of the entire province and thus not removing a seat elsewhere.

Third, I recognize that, as a resident of Etobicoke-Lakeshore we have grown and boundaries need shifting. I looked at the new proposed boundaries and I saw that I would now be placed in a riding named "Humber." I don't have a problem with being shifted to a new riding; however, I do believe that "Humber" is too generic a name and has very little local resonance. Perhaps something that combines elements of the Etobicoke neighbourhoods as well as that of the former Weston (e.g., Etobicoke East - Weston) might be explored.

Thank you for considering my comments in your decision-making.

Yours sincerely,

Nityanand Deckha