Comment 178 – comments and feedback

Céline Duguay, Deputy Clerk, Township of Armstrong

Attached is a PDF document whereas the Council of the Township of Armstrong adopted Resolution No. 2022-205 at their Regular Council Meeting on September 28, 2022, to support that the Electoral Boundary Commission maintain the electoral representation of Northern Ontario.

Kind regards,

Céline Duguay

Deputy Clerk

Township of Armstrong

The Corporation of the Township of Armstrong

xx - xxxx xxxx, Earlton , Ontario , xxx xxx Tel: (xxx) xxx-xxxx https://www.armstrongtownship.com September 28, 2022

Resolution

Resolution # 2022-205

Agenda Item # 10.1 Electoral Boundary Changes for Northern Ontario

Moved By : Reynald Rivard Seconded By : Theodore Cull

Whereas the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario has proposed the elimination of one Riding in Northern Ontario and a redistribution of the remaining Electoral Ridings; and

Whereas the Township of Armstrong and other municipalities in the South Temiskaming area would be part of a newly created Electoral Riding known as Cochrane-Timmins-Timiskaming; and

Whereas the population of the existing Riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming meets the population requirements to maintain the Federal Riding; and

Whereas the communities that comprise the current Electoral Riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming form a geopolitical entity that would be fragmented by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario's proposal; and

Whereas this fragmentation would diminish and reduce access to Federal representation for the residents of the Township of Armstrong; and

Whereas there is potential for the Province of Ontario to adopt the Federal electoral boundaries to establish Provincial electoral boundaries, which would repeat the negative effects on Provincial representation for the people and communities in Northern Ontario; and

Whereas the ability to effectively represent diverse, small, rural communities continues to be eroded with the loss of Electoral Ridings in Northern Ontario.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Corporation of the Township of Armstrong hereby petitions the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission to withdraw the proposal to eliminate a Federal Riding in Northern Ontario; and

Further that the Township of Armstrong petitions the Federal Government to introduce legislation that would provide for a minimum number of guaranteed Ridings for Northern Ontario to ensure the voices of Northern and Rural Communities is not stifled; and

Further that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Temiskaming Municipal Association, the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, the Honourable Anthony Rota MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming, Honourable Charlie Angus MP for Timmins - James Bay and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

Now, therefore be resolved that this Council calls on the Electoral Boundary Commission to maintain the electoral representation of Northern Ontario and ensure that any boundary changes are done in a manner that responds to regional and local needs.

Carried

Sean Marc Borleau

Mayor

The Corporation of the Township of Armstrong