Comment 50 – comments and feedback

Pat Robinson

I am a 30+ year resident of north Burlington, and I am democratically engaged at the provincial and federal level of government.

The proposed changes to the ridings in my area concern me. Burlington and Oakville are being sub-divided into several different electoral ridings, and I believe that most people will not understand the rationale. Small areas and neighborhoods are now carved out and grouped with areas that do not share the same demographics and potential concerns. As an educator with experience throughout Halton and Peel, I am very aware that different geographical areas present different concerns and needs. For example, some issues in northern Oakville and Georgetown will, by nature of their respective communities, be different. The same will be true for separating a small area of northwestern Burlington and incorporating it in north Halton.

I am also concerned that constituents will not have easy access to a constituency office and their elected representative. Travelling between Georgetown, Milton, Burlington, and Oakville ultimately requires a vehicle: there is no easy method of public transit.

As someone who has volunteered on campaigns in ON-B, I understand that this is a very large riding and that adjustments must be made. However, I believe that changes must reflect the needs of the communities, respecting demographics and geographical access.

At a time when democratic engagement is at historic lows, instead of creating artificial divisions and roadblocks, we need to encourage communities to believe that their elected government reflects them and their needs. I hope that there is a path to create ridings in Halton that will strengthen our democracy.

Pat Robinson