Comment 325 – comments and feedback

Dan Marino

First, let me thank you for all the work you have been doing and continue to do in this process.

I'm writing to provide my comments on the commission's proposed boundary changes for Etobicoke Centre.

I would like to concentrate my comments on the proposed Islington Ave. boundary.

I believe this to be a reasonable change to the eastern boundary of Etobicoke Centre.

Having the eastern boundary at Islington Ave. makes sense for the following reasons.

Islington Ave. serves as the boundary of four Etobicoke neighbourhoods that the City of Toronto established for the planning of its city services.

In addition, the provincial government uses Islington Ave. to demarcate the boundaries for Home and Community Care Support Services.

Since the Islington boundary, used by the municipal and provincial governments, is already based on the delivery and planning of services in our communities and neighbourhoods, it seems to me to be the right choice to place the eastern boundary for the riding at Islington Ave.

Moreover, Etobicoke has grown a lot over the past few years. When looking at the latest census data, Etobicoke has increased its population by almost 30,000 people since the last time the commission went through the redistribution process. Most of this growth has been in south Etobicoke. So it makes sense, especially in light of our principle of equal representation, for the southern boundary to move south to Dundas St. W. to absorb some of that population. This would necessitate a westward shift of the eastern boundary, and I think the commission got it right placing the eastern boundary at Islington Ave.

Thank you again for all your hard work and for considering my comments above.

Sincerely,

Don Marino