Comment 368 – comments and feedback

Dennis Levesque

Hon. Chair Leitch
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario
PO Box 37018 Southdale
London, Ontario, N6E 3T3

Dear Hon. Chair Leitch, Commissioner Bird, and Commissioner Loewen

I have reviewed the proposal to split the electoral riding of Scarborough North between the two neighbouring ridings of Scarborough Northwest and Scarborough Rouge Park. I believe this split will greatly reduce the current high level of representation and adversely affect our ever-increasing Asian and seniors' populations.

Scarborough North is home to the historic core of Agincourt Village, the area from Midland Ave to Markham Road; a community established 164 years ago. Sts. Peter and Paul Residence is located at the eastern edge of this historic area. As the recent Chief Administrative Officer for the residence I enjoyed eight years of positive and consistently quick support from the Riding MP's office. I believe adding our Residence to Scarborough Rouge Park will greatly diminish the visibility our seniors currently have. Furthermore, while Sts. Peter and Paul Residence was initially founded in 1980 as a Ukrainian seniors residence, it now serves a culturally diverse seniors population, including an Asian population of approximately 50% of the seniors. Finally, the loss of Scarborough North as the bedrock of the Asian community, and as the recipient of one of the highest immigrant populations in Toronto, will diminish effective representation for disadvantaged communities, including seniors.

Prior to my time as the CAO, I served as a pilot and senior officer in the Canadian Armed Forces for 37 years. I ended my flying career as the Commanding Officer of 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, and the Aviation Components for the Vancouver Olympics and the 2010 G7/G20 summits in Huntsville and Toronto, respectively. With expertise in leadership and operational planning, I can attest to two facts regarding downsizing: the initial financial cost savings look great; and the long-term cost savings though moderate financially are extremely negative in terms of the effects on personal, cultural, and government support to the People. I see these two facts affecting the seniors at Sts. Peter and Paul Residence, and the Asian community at large within Scarborough North.

I ask that you reconsider the proposal and maintain the riding of Scarborough North. The cultural and social uniqueness of the riding should not be divided between neighbouring ridings that do not have the same makeup.

Sincerely Yours,
Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) Dennis Levesque
Former Chief Administrative Officer