Comment 64 – comments and feedback

Brian Bigger, Mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury

Dear Ms. Puddy and Members of the Commission,

On behalf of Greater Sudbury City Council, thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on an issue that affects so many northern residents. Please accept this letter and the attached resolution, which was passed by our Council, as our position on the proposal to change electoral boundaries and remove one seat from northern Ontario.

The challenges and opportunities in northern Ontario differ greatly than our counterparts in the southern area of the province. Although our population density is lower, our locations are more rural and cover much larger geographic areas. It is critical to our growth and prosperity that we have as many voices at the table as possible; voices who know and understand our communities, our industries, and our social and cultural fabric.

The elimination of the Algoma/Manitoulin/Kapuskasing District, and the creation of one Manitoulin/Nickel Belt riding gives us, and the people who live here, one less voice. One less seat at the table. One less way to ensure that the needs of our people, who contribute greatly to the Canadian economy every day, are met.

This is not just about Greater Sudbury. This affects the entirety of the North's voice in parliament and would further diminish our access to senior level of government representation in communities that are already underrepresented. We need your support.

I urge you to carefully consider the implications of this redistribution to the people of northern Ontario.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to further discuss this matter

Regards,

Brian Bigger Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury

Cc: Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury Marc Serre, MP for Nickel Belt Scott Aitchison, MP for Parry Sound – Muskoka Charlie Angus, MP for Timmins – James Bay Patty Hajdu, MP for Thunder Bay – Superior North Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma – Manitoulin – Kapuskasing Eric Melillo, MP for Kenora Marcus Powlowski, MP for Thunder Bay – Rainy River Anthony Rota, MP for Nipissing – Timiskaming Terry Sheehan, MP for Sault Ste. Marie Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities

Enclosure

Resolution Number CC2022-218

Title: Request for Resolution to Urge Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario to not reduce MPs for Northern Ontario and Withdraw Proposal to Eliminate Federal Riding of Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing District

Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Moved by Councillor Jakubo Seconded by Councillor McIntosh

Whereas the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario is proposing a redistribution of electoral districts which would see the elimination of the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing District and the creation of a Manitoulin-Nickel Belt riding;

And whereas the elimination of that riding would reduce the number of Northern Ontario seats from ten to nine, weakening the North's voice in parliament;

And whereas the new riding of Manitoulin-Nickel Belt would incorporate Manitoulin Island, Espanola Blind River and Elliot Lake to the west, the French River region as far east as Noelville and other northern areas, as well as the Greater Sudbury Communities of Capreol, Skead, Kukagami, Hanmer, Val Therese, Blezard Valley, Azilda, Chelmsford, Dowling, Onaping and Levack, but the Sudbury riding would be expanded to include the communities of Coniston, Wahnapitae, Wanup, Garson, and Falconbridge;

And whereas the communities in and surrounding the City of Greater Sudbury comprise one geopolitical entity, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario's proposal would fragment, diminish and reduce access to federal representation for the City and area residents;

And whereas the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario is seeking public input on its proposed riding boundary changes, yet has scheduled only one in person consultation in Northern Ontario to be held in Timmins.

Therefore be it resolved that the City of Greater Sudbury urge the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario to not reduce the number of MPs for Northern Ontario, respect the geographical boundaries of Cities and the makeup of the current ridings, and withdraw the proposal to eliminate the federal riding of Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing District and the expansion of the existing Nickel Belt and Sudbury ridings for the communities in and surrounding the City of Greater Sudbury;

And be it further resolved that that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Ms. Paula Puddy, Commission Secretary, Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario prior to the September 25th, 2022 deadline, as well as to Viviane Lapointe, MP for Sudbury, Marc Serre, MP for Nickel Belt, and to the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities

Carried