Commentaire 107 – commentaires et rétroaction

Adil Shamji, Member of Provincial Parliament, Don Valley East

Dear Commissioners,

I wish to thank you for your incredibly important work in reviewing electoral boundaries across Canada. I write in my capacity as Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley East to address two concerns regarding the proposed southern border of this riding.

I believe the concerns represent geographically minor issues that nonetheless will have significant consequences to the wellbeing of the citizens involved, and which will significantly impact the accessibility and quality of their democratic representation.

For context, the current southeast border of the riding begins at Don Mills Road, and then extends northeast along the Don River, until Sunrise Avenue at which point it travels east until Victoria Park. In the new proposal, the southeast boundary follows the Don Valley Parkway and then turns east at Eglinton. These two changes effectively remove a small but important part of the Flemingdon Park community, and a modest number of residential streets south of Eglinton down to Sunrise Avenue. They become a part of Beaches-East York and these changes could be problematic for the following reasons.

Concern One: Flemingdon Park between Don Valley Parkway and the Don River

By bringing the boundary west to Don Valley Parkway, it isolates a small portion of Flemingdon Park from the rest of its own community. This small section of the riding encompasses a few streets (Vicora Linkway, Pavane Linkway, Linkwood Lane, Edgecliff Golfway, Shady Golfway, Windy Golfway, St Dennis Drive, and a portion of Wynford Drive) that would be bounded entirely by the Don Valley Parkway on one side, and a river on its other. Physically, it would be so separated from its new riding of Beaches-East York that constituents would have to travel using the roads that mark the edges of the riding to enter (either via Eglinton Avenue, or via the Don Valley Parkway which would have to be accessed via Don Mills Road which is in Don Valley East). There are no roads to cross the Don River along this section so this sliver of Flemingdon Park essentially become an island with almost no physical connections to the rest of Beaches-East York.

For a community that relies heavily on public transit, this is a very serious problem. Culturally, too, this proposal would also be isolating. The people in this small section of Flemingdon Park share much in common with the community west of the Don Valley Parkway that it would become separated from.

Finally, Flemingdon is a proud, diverse, and vibrant community. However, it has a higher proportion of low-income families along with many people who are new to Canada. It would be difficult and inefficient (in addition to confusing) if some parts of this community went to one office for assistance with government services while others had to travel to another one (especially one much farther away) for the same assistance.

I humbly suggest, at minimum, that the southeast border of the riding extend to the Don River instead of Don Valley Parkway so as to include Flemingdon Park in its entirety.

Concern 2: Sunrise Avenue to Eglinton Avenue

One of the most challenging and pressing issues for citizens currently in Don Valley East is condominium and apartment development. This issue is driven, to a large degree (though not exclusively), by proximity to the new Eglinton Crosstown, which is a light-rapid transit project running East-West along Eglinton Avenue.

Many concerns are already being expressed by citizens on the north and south sides of Eglinton, and all three levels of government in Don Valley East have already been active on these concerns. Elected officials are establishing and strengthening relationships with all the important stakeholders to advocate effectively.

However, under the proposed boundary changes, the small community between Eglinton and Sunrise Avenues will be represented in Beaches-East York, which has no other community directly impacted by the Eglinton Crosstown or the developments that are following it.

By remaining in Don Valley East, this small community will be better represented by elected officials from all levels of government who will already be dealing with these issues north of the same stretch on Eglinton, as well as north and south of Eglinton from Leslie to Don Valley Parkway. If attached to Beaches-East York, the community will be alone in their advocacy.

Combined with the historical relationship of this community to Don Valley East, and the experience of their elected officials in addressing the Crosstown, it is proposed that this small community remain in the same riding where the most effective representation on this unique but pressing issue can continue to take place.

Thank You I wish to again reiterate my gratitude for your efforts to ensure the best representation for citizens across our country, and for your kind consideration of my suggestions above.

Sincerely,

Adil Shamji MPP
HBMSc MPP (Oxon) MD CCFP (EM)
Member of Provincial Parliament, Don Valley East