Commentaire 181 – commentaires et rétroaction

Tom Rakocevic
MP Humber River Black Creek

attachment:

federal electoral boundaries
redistribution submission for
humber river – black creek
october 29, 2022 – submitted by tom rakocevic

1. Introduction

I am the Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Humber River – Black Creek.

I have deep knowledge of the riding and its distinct neighbourhoods as I have lived in the riding my entire life. I have been a member of many community associations and have participated in many local initiatives for many years. Prior to my election in 2018, I was the Executive Assistant to the local City Councillor for over a decade.

I have reviewed the Commission's proposal and I appreciate the great challenge before you. I wish to offer this written submission in addition to my presentation on October 19^th to aid the Commission in better understanding the significant communities of interest in the riding.

2. Toronto should retain (at least) 25 seats

As Canada's population grows, so should the number of electoral ridings to ensure that strong representation remains a priority.

As the nation's largest city and growing, Toronto's population requires fair representation in Ottawa, meaning a minimum of 25 seats. At this current seat count, all Toronto ridings fall within 25% of the allowable variance.

Ontario Provincial law dictates that municipal seats in Toronto must be aligned with federal electoral boundaries. Thus, if the number of MPs is reduced so are the number of City Councillors.

The Commission's proposal to eliminate a Toronto riding has triggered the unnecessary redrawing of many ridings. For instance, Humber River – Black Creek only deviates from the Quota by −4.3%.

humber river – black creek area map

Text version of Humber River – Black Creek area map"

Area	Description	Population
A - yellow	This area is both within Humber River - Black Creek and the Commission's proposed new district of Black Creek	85,346
B - blue	This area is currently within Humber River - Black Creek but the Commission is proposing to remove it and add it to Etobicoke North	26,247
1 - orange	This area is currently within York Centre but the Commission is proposing to add it to the new district of Black Creek	6,517
2 - pink	This area is currently in York Centre but the Commission is proposing to add the portion located west of Keele St. to be added to the new district of Black Creek	25,877 (West of Keele St.)

3. Communities of interest must be a priority when drawing boundaries

The proposal negatively impacts communities of interest in Humber River – Black Creek & York Centre.

The Humber River is a longstanding geographic and electoral boundary. I respectfully disagree with the Commission's proposal to eliminate this defining natural boundary.

The Commission's proposal suggests using Weston Rd as the western boundary which would divide the distinct neighbourhoods of Humbermede and Humberlea in half, to the detriment of these two established communities.

The commission's proposal continues to maintain the greater Jane & Finch area of the riding (area 'A') and recognizes it as a distinct community of interest as a whole. I strongly agree with this element of the proposal.

Area '2' is a distinct community of interest anchored by Downsview Park, one of Canada's largest urban Federal parks, which is under major redevelopment. The representative for Downsview Park should be electorally accountable to the neighbourhoods most impacted by the present and future of the park.

Area '1' has ties to both the Downsview neighbourhood (area '2') of which it is currently a part of as well as the greater Jane-Finch community (area 'A') to its north.

4. I urge the Committee to retain the current boundaries of Humber River – Black Creek

I strongly urge the Commission to use the flexibility granted by the Act to reconsider its proposal to redefine the current boundaries of Humber River – Black Creek as it negatively impacts the communities of interest within the riding and beyond. I can be reached via email at Tom.Rakocevic@ontariondp.ca if I may be of further assistance to the Commission.

Respectfully submitted,
Tom Rakocevic