Comment 29 – comments and feedback

Jake Karpouzis

I'm writing to convey my concern about the proposed new riding boundaries for Whitchurch—Stouffville, which was included in this morning's Toronto Star and is being circulated on Facebook groups among residents.

Grouping in rural Whitchurch—Stouffville with other far–away rural communities such as Scugog, Georgina, and Brock is not beneficial to any of these townships. Whitchurch—Stouffville is a fast growing town, even outside of the 'Markham—Stouffville' riding portion of the town. Ballantrae and Musselman's Lake, included in the new Lake Simcoe—Uxbridge riding, has very close ties and connections with the main town and with Markham itself. Grouping our communities in with Brock, Scugog, etc. seems senseless.

Stouffville is a very close–knit community. If for whatever reason all of Stouffville cannot be kept together in the same riding alongside a portion of Markham (as it is now), rural W–S should at the very least be tied in with other closer communities where there are more ties and connections — such as Oak Ridges, Aurora, Newmarket, or Markham.

I know that there are many ridings across Southern Ontario and across Canada that look like this proposed Lake Simcoe—Uxbridge riding. These are ridings that are very rural and loosely connected through being in the same region/county or by the smaller communities having those ties to begin with.

Rural Stouffville's ties belong in York Region, with Aurora/Newmarket/Oak Ridges/Markham, etc. We are very close to the city of Toronto and do not belong in this rural mega–riding system that is currently proposed.

I hope my comments are directed to the appropriate commission. I feel strongly about this and would be happy to connect further if necessary.

I look forward to hearing your response.

Jake