Comment 346 – comments and feedback
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Nick Mantas, City Councillor, Ward 22, Scarborough-Agincourt
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario
c/o Ms. Paula Puddy - Commission Secretary
PO Box 37018 Southdale,
London, Ontario N6E 3T3
Dear Commissioners:
Re: Proposed Electoral Boundary Changes to Scarborough-Agincourt
I am the Toronto City Councillor for Ward 22, Scarborough-Agincourt and I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the electoral boundaries.
In 1987, the provincial riding of Scarborough-Agincourt was created and, in 1988, the federal riding of Scarborough-Agincourt was created. Since then, the federal riding has been represented by three Members of Parliament and the provincial riding has been represented by three Members of the Provincial Parliament. This strong support for their elected officials indicates that the views of the people of Scarborough-Agincourt are in close alignment with each other.
The citizens of Scarborough-Agincourt have banded together on several occasions to oppose changes to, and proposed closing of, their local hospital the Scarborough Grace Hospital (now known as the Scarborough Health Network – Birchmount Hospital.
During the crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic, citizens stepped-up on several occasions by participating in a drive-by, drop-off food bank drive to help those less fortunate in their community. They also donated PPE (masks, gloves and hand sanitizer) to health care workers in the seniors and long-term care facilities in the riding.
The population in Scarborough-Agincourt not only has it not declined slightly in the past decade, it will increase significantly over the next five years. There a presently 30 development projects in various stages in Scarborough-Agincourt. These development projects represent an increase of 19,328 residential units. Statistics Canada has indicated that there are an average of 2.8 people per household in Scarborough-Agincourt. The new developments will add an additional 54,118 individuals to the existing of population of 105,542.
Scarborough-Agincourt is not just a federal riding – it is a community.
Any changes to the boundaries will negatively affect the cohesion of the community known as Scarborough-Agincourt.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my views with respect to the boundary changes for Scarborough-Agincourt.
Sincerely,
Nick Mantas,
City Councillor, Ward 22
Scarborough-Agincourt
Cc:
- MP Jean Yip
- Mayor John Tory
- MPP Aris Babikian