Comment 187 – comments and feedback

Jeanette Dietrich

I am a resident of Kingston who resides north of highway 401. In the past, we were included in the riding of Kingston and the Islands. During that time, I was actively involved in political life through volunteering with a local riding association and participating in rallies, meetings and other aspects of politics. When we were moved to the riding of Lanark -Frontenac-Kingston I became detached from the local politics as the issues, people and location of meetings shifted to Perth which is a much further distance and not part of my daily life. As residents of Kingston, many of whom work and attend school and leisure activities in Kingston, we should be included in the riding of Kingston and the Islands. We have no attachment or knowledge of the issues of Brockville and no reason to be part of their riding.

Furthermore, the proposed riding divides the Frontenac counties into three different ridings. As a local physician with a leadership position, I work with or interact with politicians at various levels of government regarding healthcare matters. Cooperation is required between all three levels of government. Currently, I am working with the South, Central and North Frontenac municipalities on physician recruitment. We are encouraging cooperation with Kingston as well as Lennox and Addington municipalities. Through our Ontario Health Team we are approaching provincial politicians to support various initiatives. These types of partnerships will just become even more confusing and difficult when we add an extra riding into the area.

I respectfully request that you reconsider the new boundaries and allow the parts of Kingson that are north of the 401 to rejoin Kingston and the Islands.

Sincerely,
Jeanette Dietrich