Commentaire 338 – commentaires et rétroaction

Robert Oliphant

Introduction

I was first elected to represent the federal riding of Don Valley West (DVW) in 2008 and represented DVW until 2011. I was elected again in 2015, in a significantly changed riding following the last redistribution, and have represented DVW continuously since then. Although I have lived in DVW for over a decade, these submissions are made in my capacity as Member of Parliament for DVW after reviewing a significant number of submissions from constituents, organizations and associations in the riding.

Background

DVW is comprised of ten distinct and diverse neighbourhoods. Some of these neighbourhoods, like Lawrence Park, York Mills, the Bridle Path and Hoggs Hollow, are comprised of people in the top income brackets. Other neighbourhoods, such as Leaside and North Toronto have a mix of people in the upper middle to middle income brackets. Finally, Thorncliffe Park is comprised of predominantly lower-middle to lower income brackets, many of whom are newcomers to the country. I think it is beneficial to have a people from a variety of backgrounds and socio-economic groups in one riding. It is important in shaping public policy to have a wide lens encompassing many groups of people, not just one class or demographic.

DVW is mostly residential, although there is some industry and commercial activity in the Leaside Business Park which is an employment district towards the southern part of the riding bordering on Thorncliffe Park. Areas such as Mount Pleasant East and North Toronto are seeing an increase in high-rise rental and condominium buildings mixed with the single-family dwellings. Only Thorncliffe Park is entirely a vertical neighbourhood. DVW is served by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, which I have often described as the heart of the riding. Sunnybrook employs approximately 12,000 people, most of whom live in DVW.

While there have been a number of new immigrants settling in all parts of DVW, Thorncliffe Park remains the most likely choice of newcomers, including refugees. They tend to be lower income people with large families and from racialized communities.

There are strong connections within the neighbourhoods making up DVW, between them and among them. Leaders in the community have worked hard to create and maintain these connections, building relationships and both a community of interest and communities of interest. For example, many people from Leaside are involved in community organizations in Thorncliffe Park and vice versa. These bonds between neighbourhoods are important for each group of residents to thrive, succeed and to realize that they may have more in common than not. Having a Member in the Canadian parliament who is required to think about and represent diverse communities is critical to the best shaping of public policy.

Principles of Electoral Boundary Redistribution

The redistribution of federal electoral boundaries is a Constitutional requirement. It is vital that the principle of representation by population, with allowances for smaller and larger ridings, is maintained in all federal ridings across Canada. However, the method of redistributing boundaries involves more than an allocation of population based on a calculation of the electoral quotient.

It is necessary to have a nexus between federal ridings and the people living in them. People in neighbourhoods connect with each other, their area schools, businesses, restaurants, shops and community centres. The ‘people factor' is critical in determining where electoral boundaries should lie. In order that federal ridings work for the people living in them, it is also necessary to consider that many people identify strongly to the riding to which they belong.

The Commission's mandate requires that social or geographic factors be considered along with population equality. In many federal ridings, including DVW, the social and geographic factors take on a special significance as explained below.

Summary of Submission

The Commission's proposed boundaries for DVW, especially in the southern part of the riding would have more negative than positive impacts for the people living in these neighbourhoods.

The proposed boundaries would split the Leaside community into separate ridings with Eglinton Avenue East as the border. The proposed boundaries would also disconnect the south Leaside community from Thorncliffe Park thereby further isolating Thorncliffe Park from the rest of DVW and potentially diluting the mutually beneficial ties that have developed between Leaside and Thorncliffe Park.

Under the Commission's proposed redistribution, DVW will no longer include Mount Pleasant Village. This area has a strong connection to DVW and to Bayview Avenue, in particular.

The proposed addition of the area west of Yonge Street to Avenue Road to DVW would add neighbourhoods with minimal connection to the Don Valley and very little social, commercial or community connection to DVW and would render the name of the riding no longer truly applicable.

The Commission's proposal to remove the triangular area known as Banbury-Don Mills from DVW is sound. This area has more in common with Don Valley East and is one of the areas included in the catchment of Don Mills Residents Inc. (DMRI), the local residents' association in Don Valley East. Moving this area within Don Valley East would remove the bifurcation of this area within Don Valley West as has been the case for the last 7 years.

With respect to boundary issues not impacting population numbers, the Commission's proposed redistribution would also remove Toronto Botanical Gardens from Don Valley West. Toronto Botanical Gardens is physically linked with Edwards Gardens, Wilket Creek Park, Sunnybrook Park and Serena Gundy Park, which will remain in DVW. There are mutual interests amongst all these parks as well as mutual projects for which, as Member of Parliament, I am regularly called on to advocate and support. A serious proposal is being developed which would unite Edwards Gardens and Toronto Botanical Gardens making a significant botanical garden in Canada's largest city, something which is sadly lacking. Having them in different ridings (and ultimately wards of the City of Toronto) would hinder this process.

Additionally, under the proposed boundaries, two of the largest secondary schools in DVW, Leaside High School and Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute would be relocated to different ridings. I think it is important to keep the areas served by these schools as consistent as possible with where families and students live.

The Commission's proposed restructuring of DVW would shift the riding west to Avenue Road and in so doing, would reduce the riding's connection to the Don Valley and to the other Don Valley ridings. If the Commission's proposed redistribution is approved, I would propose that the name of the riding be changed. Some possibilities include: Sunnybrook – Thorncliffe Park, Toronto Midtown, Don Valley West-North Toronto.

1. Leaside – Keep Leaside Whole within DVW

Since its incorporation over one hundred years ago, Leaside has been comprised of the area east of Bayview Avenue, south of the Sunnybrook/Wilket Creek/Serena Gundy Park system, extending to the railway lines in the east and southeast. As stated in the written submission of the Leaside Residents Association, the Town of Leaside was incorporated in 1913 and remained as an independent municipality until 1967, when it became a part of the Borough of East York, joining Thorncliffe Park and areas south of the Don River.

Throughout the history of Leaside, it has always remained as a whole community and has continued to be known as Leaside even after the amalgamation of the municipalities of Toronto in 1988.

I do acknowledge that the area of Leaside north of Eglinton Avenue East is sometimes known as North Leaside (or Northlea) and the corresponding area south of Eglinton Avenue East is known as South Leaside, however they remain one community of interest and engagement. Since 1976, the entire Leaside community has remained within the boundaries of DVW, despite several Commissions which have studied and redistributed electoral boundaries.

The northern and southern parts of Leaside share a common history and heritage. They share schools, public transit, shopping, restaurants, places of worship, business areas as well as community news publications. The Commission's proposal would move Leaside High School (LHS) out of DVW. The students attending LHS live in each part of Leaside. They and their parents have identified with DVW as their home riding for decades.

The north and south areas of Leaside also have many issues in common, including density, affordability, and support for small business. If Leaside were to be separated into two separate ridings, the cohesive fabric of the community would be split. Moreover, if Leaside is divided into two ridings, there would be a duplication of work by two different Members of Parliament on common issues which impact Leaside as a whole. This duplication would result in inefficiencies at best, or in competing efforts with different goals, approaches and outcomes depending on the Member for each riding. The residents of Leaside would not have the benefit of having one Member of Parliament (and most likely one Member of Provincial Parliament and one City Councillor) to deal with regarding issues impacting Leaside.

2. Leaside and Thorncliffe Park – Maintain the Connection

Thorncliffe Park is generally defined as the area extending west from Don Mills Road and Overlea Blvd. to E.T. Seton Park in the south, Millwood Road to the west and the railway lines and Leaside Business Park to the north.

In DVW, the two neighbourhoods of Leaside and Thorncliffe Park in the southeastern quadrant have both shared history and a shared future. Leaside Towers, located at 85 and 95 Thorncliffe Park Drive were built in 1970 and were, at the time, the largest residential buildings in Toronto at 44 stories each. While located in the heart of Thorncliffe Park, these buildings applied the name of Leaside and have been known as such for over half a century. Equally, Leaside Park with its tennis courts, outdoors pool and playing fields is physically in Thorncliffe Park, as is Leaside Retirement Resident on William Morgan Drive. But more importantly than names, these two communities, both in the former Borough of East York, have become increasingly important to each other. Although they are, for the most part, culturally distinct their interests over the past few years have been shared. These interests include public transit projects, green spaces in DVW and a shared access to the Leaside Business Park.

The residents of Thorncliffe Park are mostly newcomers to Canada. It is an area of DVW where the first language spoken at home is neither English nor French. It is also an area where incomes are generally low to middle income. This neighbourhood has benefitted from its geographic proximity to Leaside in a mentor-like relationship which I have worked hard to establish and maintain. Indeed, many organizations in Thorncliffe Park, like TNO (The Neighbourhood Organization) include Leaside residents on their Boards of Directors. Residents of Leaside often organize food and toy drives for the residents of Thorncliffe. At the same time the Leaside Rotary Club continues to reach out to Thorncliffe inviting new members to join. By removing Leaside from Thorncliffe Park, the sense of connectivity could decline, depriving both neighbourhoods from the benefits they have derived from increased cooperation and assistance.

3. Mount Pleasant Village

The area of DVW between Mount Pleasant Road and Bayview Avenue south of Eglinton has more of a connection with DVW than with the proposed riding of Mount Pleasant – St. Clair. Mount Pleasant Village East is dominated by large buildings in the Davisville Corridor (and is often known by the name Davisville), whereas Mount Pleasant Village West is almost all single-family homes, distinct from Leaside but sharing a vibrant shopping district and BIA on Bayview Avenue.

In DVW, Bayview Avenue is the major north-south thoroughfare. The residents of Mount Pleasant Village gravitate towards Bayview Avenue instead of Yonge Street, and even Mt. Pleasant Road, for their shopping and restaurants. These residents have little to no connection to St. Clair Avenue which is farther to the south.

4. The Proposed Area West of Yonge Street to Avenue Road

The Commission has proposed extending the western boundary of DVW to Avenue Road from the current Yonge Street. This is not a desirable outcome for many reasons, which have been well enumerated by the residents of the current Eglinton-Lawrence riding.

If the Commission decides to keep Leaside whole and retain Mount Pleasant Village within DVW, the population equality can be maintained by retaining Yonge Street as the western boundary for DVW, with the suggestions I have made above. The neighbourhoods west of Yonge Street to Avenue Road have very little nexus with the Don Valley. Avenue Road is its own centre of shops, restaurants and other services. Conversely, the area from Yonge Street to Bayview Avenue provide the faith organizations, shops, schools and other community centres for people in DVW. This is true especially towards the southern half of the riding, where Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue contain more commercial than residential units. These streets provide a ‘downtown core' for DVW which is frequented by people from all corners of the riding.

5. The 'Triangle' from Leslie Street to York Mills Road

The Commission has correctly determined that the area west of Leslie Street to the river, bounded by York Mills Road to the north and Lawrence Avenue to the south, and often known as Banbury-Don Mills belongs in Don Valley East. I agree.

This area has more in common with Don Valley East. The largest residents' association in Don Valley East, Don Mills Residents Inc. ("DMRI") represents them in municipal and other issues. In a sense, this area has been orphaned from the much larger part of Don Mills. An examination of the DMRI website confirms that the ‘triangle' area is part of its catchment.

By keeping Yonge Street as the western boundary for DVW, allowing the area between Yonge Street and Avenue Road to remain in Eglinton-Lawrence and by shifting the triangular area of Banbury-Don Mills to Don Valley East any population excess caused by keeping Mount Pleasant Village West and Leaside in the riding would be countered effectively.

6. Park System – Toronto Botanical Gardens

Under the proposed boundaries for DVW, the system of parks in DVW which includes Toronto Botanical Gardens (TBG), Edwards Gardens and extending to Sunnybrook Park, Wilket Creek Park, Serena Gundy Park and E.T. Seton Park would be no longer be unified in one riding. The unity of TBG with these parks into one riding is important for DVW as they are the primary source of greenspace, park space and tree cover in the Don Valley. Moreover, through the work of the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority, many improvement projects involve and impact TBG and this system of parks.

Under the Commission's proposal, TBG would not remain within DVW, thereby creating an artificial separation between TBG and Edwards Gardens.

The Commission's proposal would also create a duplication of efforts as the park system would be represented by two different Members of Parliaments. This would result in inefficiencies, or conflicting efforts, which would further complicate the important conservation and environmental protection work that involves this environmentally sensitive park system in DVW. As indicated earlier, work is afoot to amalgamate Edwards Gardens with TBG, creating a significant urban botanical garden for Toronto and visitors to the city.

Finally, the effect of keeping TBG within DVW would have no impact on population equality.

7. Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard

Under the Commission's proposal, Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute (MGCI) located at the southwest corner of Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard would be located in Don Valley East. Many, if not a slight majority, of the students at MGCI live in Thorncliffe Park. MGCI is an important community hub in DVW.

Equally important for Thorncliffe Park is the sister school to MGCI, Valley Park Middle School, which is located on the northwest corner of Don Mills Road and Overlea Boulevard. It serves as the primary feeder for MGCI's secondary school body.

Keeping MGCI in DVW and adding Valley Park Middle School to DVW would maintain a unit of middle and secondary schools primarily serving the Thorncliffe Park residents.

In fact, following the Don River as the border down to Eglinton Avenue, then across Eglinton Avenue to Don Mills Road and down Don Mils Road to below Overlea Boulevard (as it currently exists) would create a natural boundary with Don Mills Road serving as a hard eastern border. This would return Valley Park Middle School and maintain Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute in DVW and would have no impact on population equality as there are no residences in the suggested area.

Conclusion

The important work of the Commission is vital to ensuring that people are adequately represented by their elected officials. A healthy democracy can continue to thrive when there is representation by population. As Canada's population grows and changes amongst provinces, redistribution is a necessary part of the principle of representation by population.

I understand the difficult work you are doing. Ontario is under-represented in the new proposals, and you need to make decisions reflecting differing growth rates in different parts of the province. Of course, I am fully supportive of maintaining 25 electoral districts in the City of Toronto to ensure Canada's largest city is well-served in Parliament. However, I also note that my above proposals would work in either a 24-seat or a 25-seat scenario for the City of Toronto.

In redrawing boundaries, the Commission should ensure that communities that have established historical, cultural and social ties are maintained. I also value the principle of diversity within our ridings. People in each federal riding identify with their neighbourhoods as well as the communities with which they share comity of issues, organizations and amenities. The people factor, noted by the Commission as social and geographic factors cannot be underestimated.

Finally, dividing communities that have historical and current links does not serve democracy when doing so could result in inefficiencies, duplication of work or inconsistent outcomes in the delivery of government services.

I thank the Commission, its members and staff, for doing this important and difficult work.

The Hon. Robert Oliphant, PC, MP
Don Valley West

Appendix A – Existing Electoral Boundaries for DVW

Appendix B – Commission's Proposed Electoral Boundaries for DVW

Appendix C – Member of Parliament's Proposed Electoral Boundaries for DVW

APPENDIX A: Existing DVW Boundaries

APPENDIX B: commission's proposal