Comment 21 – comments and feedback

Yvonne Schmitz

I just learned that the Federal Boundary Commission has recommended dropping one of the ridings in Northern Ontario. I think this is unwise. As MP Charlie Angus states, "This decision will significantly impact the rural regions of Northern Ontario with their strong presence of francophone and Indigenous communities. Many ridings in the north are already larger than European countries. In fact, one of the new ridings will be over 500,000 square kilometres.

In my riding of Timmins - James Bay, I have to charter planes to serve constituents as no roads reach many remote northern communities. These citizens have a right to representation and engagement with their Member of Parliament, particularly as MP offices in the north handle key services like immigration and passports."

In my view it is important that we make sure Northern communities have adequate representation and having fewer MPs represent them is counter to that goal. Please reconsider your decision in light of the need for fairness to the people of Northern Ontario.

Yours truly,

Yvonne Schmitz