Commentaire 351 – commentaires et rétroaction

Laertis Limnidis and Laertis E. Limnidis

September 21, 2022

Dear Members of the Ontario Commission for the Federal Electoral Districts Redistribution:

We are residents of the former City of Scarborough now an area within the City of Toronto. We are concerned about the proposed changes to the Federal Electoral Districts, particularly the loss of an electoral riding in Scarborough and thereby Toronto.

The proposal takes out a large portion of Scarborough North, and a sizable portion of Scarborough-Agincourt, and collapses areas of these communities into a new riding called Scarborough Northwest. This would not only break up existing communities, but it would redistribute a sizeable portion of Scarborough-Agincourt into North York and delete any reference to the history of Agincourt in the process. Scarborough Village dates back to 1832 and Agincourt emerged in 1858 as a farming town and continues to this present day to have a rich cultural and historical identity. One example is Agincourt Junior Public School, which is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and is listed on the Toronto Heritage Property Register.

The western municipal boundary of Scarborough clearly ends at Victoria Park Ave. Taking parts of Scarborough from Warden Ave. and Pharmacy Road to Victoria Park Ave. will divide Toronto Police Service from 42 Division, Health Care Services and Social and Seniors' Community Services (like our Immigrants). Furthermore, Scarborough North, Scarborough-Agincourt encompasses a large number of seniors, newcomers, families, and immigrants. Scarborough-Agincourt's immigrant population is 19% over the Toronto average. Over the decades, our communities have created an interconnected network of services that meet Scarborough's unique, changing and growing needs.

In anticipation of the Sheppard subway line, numerous developments are happening right now all along Sheppard Ave. E., and even more in the near future, including the Agincourt Mall 5,000-unit condominium/retail development, and the current Village Green (Kennedy and 401) condominium expansion. The Agincourt Mall project is the largest residential development application in Scarborough and the 2nd largest residential application in the City of Toronto. The 2021 census does not take into account these developments, which, if factored in will substantially increase the population of Scarborough-Agincourt. Nor does the Census taken in 2021 (a pandemic year) reflect the true number of residents living within Scarborough-Agincourt and Scarborough North.

As is, individuals who are 'not elected' by the residents and constituents of Scarborough are making unjust decisions that will impact and change our daily lives, and we deserve a better fate than that. The strong representation that six (6) representatives has afforded us has finally gotten us closer to being heard. One less voice from Scarborough is one less voice for our seniors, residents, health care (workers), transit (subways), infrastructure, businesses etc.

Finally, please take our concerns seriously and preserve Scarborough-Agincourt and Scarborough North as distinct historical and cultural electoral ridings. In good faith, our community demands and deserves a fair, and just, electoral representation for Scarborough within the City of Toronto.

Sincerely Residents and Constituents of Scarborough:

Laertis Limnidis and Laertis E. Limnidis