Comment 47 – comments and feedback

Nathan France

I'm writing to you as a current resident of Windsor–Tecumseh, having resided here since 2020. Since coming to Windsor, I have been active in both Federal and Provincial campaigns. I believe it is among the most important responsibilities we have as Canadians to participate in the democratic process. As we see now more than ever, democracy can never be taken for granted.

The commission's work to redraw our electoral boundaries is one of those important responsibilities in the democratic process. However, I'm writing to you to voice disagreements I have with the current proposed map. The proposed map, if implemented, will divide communities, make residents access to MP's and their constituent services more difficult by adding distance between residents and the MP, and break several decades of precedent and regional history.

My first disagreement is the decision to divide the Town of Tecumseh between the ridings of Windsor–Tecumseh and Essex. In the previous electoral map, and those preceding it, the Town of Tecumseh was always together, under a single riding. This map now stands to place half of the Town of Tecumseh into a riding that doesn't even bear the town's name. This adds complexity for the Town of Tecumseh's elected officials and staff, as they would have to deal with 2 MPs rather than one. This stands to harm the cohesiveness of the Town of Tecumseh and divide a town that has stood together for decades.

My second disagreement is regarding the proposed boundaries of Windsor West and Essex. In the proposed map, parts of the City of Windsor are reallocated to the riding of Essex. This completely disregards the political, socioeconomic, and industrial history of Windsor West - the section of the City of Windsor, an industrial urban area, is not at all like the rest of Essex, which is rural and suburban. In addition, there are two critical projects - Gordie Howe International Bridge and Ojibway National Urban Park, that were championed by 2 MPs in Windsor and now both have been given to Essex in the proposal. This would unravel decades of cooperation, throw a third MP that the City of Windsor must now deal with, and place an area of the City of Windsor with an MP elected by other areas of the riding with very different priorities.

My third disagreement is regarding Walkerville, the area of current-day Windsor–Tecumseh West of Walker Road that is proposed to be moved to Windsor West. This area has been a part of the Windsor–Tecumseh riding and its predecessors for decades. This area has close ties to Windsor–Tecumseh and thus should remain with Windsor–Tecumseh.

I recognize the challenges of the commission and its quest to draw electoral boundaries that are proportional in population to ensure equitable representation among Canadians. This is no easy task. However, the current changes proposed stand to do more harm than good, just for the sake of numbers. Redistribution must consider far more than numbers when drawing electoral districts.

When I think about how to address these disagreements, it is difficult to do so without considering that our region really should have a 4th district due to our growing population - but this is a significant change. As such, I urge the Commission to maintain the status quo, and keep the previous riding boundaries for Essex, Windsor–Tecumseh, and Windsor West as drawn in 2012. The status quo will keep our region running cohesively until such more significant changes are discussed, hopefully in the next redistribution in 2032.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Nathan France