Comment 23 – comments and feedback

Sheila Sim

Subject: Proposed New District of Kanata

Dear Justice Leitch,

I am writing to express my support for the proposed new electoral district Kanata, as outlined in the Proposal of the Federal Electoral Boundaries.

I have lived in Kanata for more than 20 years, and have seen it grow exponentially, especially during the past ten years. The Kanata North Technology Park has driven residential and economic growth, with many more residents and businesses relocating to Kanata. This is sure to be continued tremendous growth in the future as our high tech industry expands.

I believe it is important to keep the electoral districts centralized not only within geographic boundaries, but also within distinct areas of concern and interest. I believe that the proposed boundary accomplishes this and keeps the population of the riding around the 120,00 mark.

Some distinct communities of concern and interest which I would like to bring to the Commission's attention which I believe should be included in the proposed riding of Kanata are:

• Carp – The residents of Kanata frequent and financially supports many businesses and activities in Carp due to its proximity to Kanata. These include, but are not limited to, the Carp Farmers' Market, the Carp Fair, the Diefenbunker, as well as many of the unique restaurants Carp has to offer. I believe that the riding of Kanata should include the Carp area so as to include these community businesses and activities within our boundaries.
• Hazeldean North – Kanata and Stittsville have a very similar demographic and many residents of Stittsville work in and support businesses in Kanata. As well, many students who attend Kanata schools reside in Stittsville. I would note that for the purpose of census collection, Kanata and Stittsville are considered under the umbrella of "the population centre of Kanata," indicating that federal government entities already recognize the similarities of these two towns for the purpose of administering federal services. Therefore, Hazeldean North is a natural and positive addition to the Kanata riding, with the added benefit of bringing our riding in line with the population quotient.
• Bells Corners – Many of Kanata's Muslim residents, most notably those who reside in Bridlewood in the southern part of our riding, attend Jami Omar Mosque, which is located in Bells Corners. They would be well-served by having their place of worship included in the proposed riding of Kanata.

As well, there are areas that were previously within the Kanata-Carleton riding that will be included in neighbouring rural ridings under the proposed changes, which I believe are appropriate changes that will serve the residents well. Specifically:

• Burnt Lands Road – This area has a closer interest to the township of Mississippi Mills, rather than an electoral district more closely associated with the City of Ottawa. This was exemplified during the Ottawa power outage during this summer, when Burnt Lands Road residents opted to use Mississippi Mills township emergency services, rather than driving a significant distance to the closest emergency service station in Carp. Thus, they would be better served by the proposed Lanark – Frontenac riding.
• Secondary school students in Kanata-Carleton's rural areas (Kinburn, Fitzroy, etc.) – These students fall under the West Carleton SS catchment area, a catchment area which nearly follows the new boundaries of the new proposed Kanata riding. These would be no material difference to the quality of education or existing catchment areas if these students were served by the Algonquin – Renfrew – Pembroke riding.
• Corkery – Many Corkery residents use the health services of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit/Carleton Place Hospital/Almonte Hospital, rather than drive into the City of Ottawa to use CHEO/Ottawa Hospital services. Thus, they would be better served by the proposed Lanark – Frontenac riding.
• Fitzroy and Constance Bay – Many residents who reside here are more likely to use the Arnprior Hospital than CHEO/Ottawa Hospital due to proximity. Thus, they would be better served by the Algonquin – Renfrew – Pembroke riding.

I also note that the proposed Kanata riding boundary clarifies the major intersection of Hazeldean and Terry Fox. In the current Kanata-Carleton riding one small residential area (Kincardine Park) was included. With further residential homes built beyond the few streets that were originally built there, it makes sense to clearly delineate the riding along the boundaries of Hazeldean Road and Terry Fox Drive to include this area in the Carleton riding.

By centralizing our riding's boundaries around the growing suburban centre in Kanata, and merging the smaller rural communities into neighbouring rural-focused ridings, I believe the populations of each affected riding will be better served.

I fully support the proposed changes to the electoral district of Kanata, and encourage the Commission to uphold its proposal as I believe these changes will enable better representation for this unique, distinct and growing suburb, while satisfying the electoral quotient.

Yours truly,

Sheila Sim