Commentaire 37 – commentaires et rétroaction

Fred Clarke

Please see attached letter regarding the redistribution of the electoral boundaries for the riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex

Regards

Fred Clarke

Ms. Paula Puddy

I write to you with concern over the proposed redrawing of the riding boundaries in Ontario, and specifically, our riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. As someone who cares about the camaraderie of our community, I'm disappointed the Commission has failed to deliver a satisfying proposal for constituents, businesses, and First Nations and instead proposes to include a group with uncommon interests.

The proposed creation of the riding of Elgin-Middlesex-Thames neglects the importance of keeping our communities together. The Commission's proposal divides counties and municipalities, which could cause the distribution of services and historically established travel networks to be disrupted. For example, the riding has always represented the interests of the Kettle Point indigenous community, which has expressed their desire to continue living and working alongside service providers within Lambton-Shores.

Moreover, we need boundaries that preserve our unique rural heritage, and I believe the Commission has not taken a rural lens into account when developing its proposals. By increasing the urban areas and reducing the rural areas the residents of the rural communities will often be forgotten and treated as a second priority. It has to be recognized that the area in which rural residents live is less densely populated than that of the urban areas.

I ask and encourage you to consider the proposal put forward by Member of Parliament Lianne Rood. I believe her submission to the Commission correctly outlines the importance of keeping our communities together.

I appreciate the work done by the Commission and the considerations they have made to balance population growth with community interests. However, despite its best intentions, the proposal fails to consider the collective needs of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. By changing the Commission's proposal to reflect the suggestions made by MP Lianne Rood, you will make sure all of our constituents - especially our rural voices - are heard and fairly represented.

Additionally, the brief time frame provided for public consultation does not contribute to fulsome debate, nor did it take into consideration the ongoing municipal elections. I would urge you to reconsider the narrow allotment window for public consultation and proposal submission and extend this period by up to three months.

Sincerely,

Fred Clarke