Commentaire 394 – commentaires et rétroaction

Jill Andrew, MPP, Toronto-St. Paul's

Attn: 2022 Federal Electoral District Redistribution Commission

Good Day,

Thank you for hearing the deputation presented by my office on October 19 on my behalf. As stated, I am also submitting my views in written form for greater detail. I have been the Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto—St. Paul's since June 2018. During this time I have formed extensive ties with local community groups, stakeholders and residents.

The commission has proposed changes to the boundaries of the riding of Toronto-St Paul's and to change the name to Mt. Pleasant—St. Clair. However, I urge the Commission to reconsider. I strongly believes the existing boundaries will continue to serve our communities and constituents well for another decade. The resulting population would be around 116 thousand, closer to the target quota than the 119 thousand of the revised boundaries. Neighbouring ridings would also be within 10% of the quota.

Toronto—St. Paul's and neighbouring ridings in the commission's proposals

Riding	Population	Difference from Quota
Toronto—St. Paul's Mt. Pleasant— St. Clair	119935	+2.9%
Eglinton—Lawrence	116139	-0.4%
Davenport	116728	+0.1%
University—Rosedale	117119	+0.5%
Don Valley West	114229	-2.0%

Toronto—St. Paul's with its current boundaries

Riding	Population	Difference from Quota
Toronto—St. Paul's	116953	+0.3%
Eglinton—Lawrence	116139	-0.4%
Davenport	120753	+3.6%
University—Rosedale	111716	-4.2%
Don Valley West	125408	+7.6%

This assumes that the changes the commission made elsewhere are kept. However, there are other alterations that could make these ridings even more balanced without affecting the Boundaries of Toronto—St. Paul's. For example, areas west of Yonge could remain in Eglinton—Lawrence to reduce the size of Don Valley West or University—Rosedale could keep some of the areas you propose to transfer to Toronto Centre.

In several cases this commission proposes to simultaneously remove areas from our riding and place them in a neighbouring riding while taking a different area from that same riding and moving it to this riding. I object to this as it is not necessary to maintain equal populations, and only changes peoples' representative for no purpose. I submit that as much as feasible, ridings should be kept intact. Community organizations and groups have developed relationships with their representatives over several years and moving them into another riding disrupts these bonds. Voters may also be confused by these changes.

The commission proposes to push the eastern boundary to Laird Dr., formerly in Don Valley West. This increases the distance from the western to eastern edge of the riding by more than 2 kilometres, an increase of over 25%. It is already far more difficult to travel along the riding's main east/west routes due to consistent Eglinton Construction delays, subsequent public transit delays, and negatively impacted walkability on Eglinton east, so this makes the job of representing the whole riding more difficult.

It also includes large portions of the former Borough and historic community of East York, whereas since 1966 Toronto St. Paul's has been composed of parts of the former City of Toronto and City of York. In the more than 30 years that the riding has existed in something like its current boundaries, the boundary has never been further east than Bayview. The commission's proposed changes merge these distinct communities without considering their unique needs. They also divide the Leaside community between two ridings

These changes also move both ridings further from the target population. Within the proposed boundaries Don Valley West would be 2 per cent below quota while the former Toronto—St. Paul's would be 2.9 per cent above quota.

The area west of Oakwood is to be removed from Toronto-St. Paul's and placed in Davenport. This further splits the Little Jamaica community – a predominantly Black and racialized community with residents of multiple languages and dialects. Specific to our riding Little Jamaica's boundaries are Dufferin and Eglinton West to Marlee and Eglinton West. There have been renewed local efforts to preserve the cultural heritage and sense of community belonging in Little Jamaica against ongoing conequences of increased gentrification displacing many residents. Furthermore, there have been strong calls for designating this area as a heritage preservation district and many initiatives to help support Black-owned small businesses along Eglinton West. As the area's representative, I have been central to this local advocacy so this makes it a strange time to divide this already vulnerable area's representation and their already established local connectivity.

The area north of Eglinton, south of Broadway and west of Yonge is to be moved to Don Valley West. However, the communities around the Yonge and Eglinton intersection share important interests, Eglinton is the nearest commercial street, and residents on both sides of the street patronize many of the same businesses, go to the same schools and use the same recreational facilities. The ongoing transit construction along Eglinton is a persistent local issue and is particularly disruptive around the Yonge/Eglinton transit hub. I submit that in addition to the value of preserving existing boundaries, there is good reason to keep different areas around the Yonge/Eglinton intersection in one riding. Residents in the Yonge/Eglinton community have galvanized together to tackle issues of community safety, homelessness, tenants advocacy and the like. I see no reason to disrupt the community they've worked with neighbours to build. Indeed, if areas of Don Valley West were to be added to Toronto—St. Paul's, it would make more sense to add the northwest corner of the Yonge-Eglinton intersection.

I appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback to the Commission. Please let us know if you would like more detail or any clarification regarding my recommendations.

Sincerely,

MPP Jill Andrew

Toronto-St. Paul's