MP may be left outside riding

By Roberta Bell, Orillia Packet & Times September 3, 2012

For the past six years, Bruce Stanton has represented Simcoe North in the House of Commons.

A native of Severn Township, he’s lived in the community his whole life. Four years ago, he moved to Oro-Medonte with his family.

“We’re literally within a kilometre or so of Highway 12, which connects one end of the riding with the other. We’re right in the geographic centre,” Stanton said of his current residence.

But by the time the next federal election rolls around, that may no longer be the case.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario has proposed a new electoral map for the province, which would see it gain 15 electoral districts as a result of the increase in its population from 11,410,046 in 2001 to 12,851,821 as revealed in the 2011 census.

The region currently consists of four ridings: Simcoe North, Simcoe-Grey, York-Simcoe and Barrie.

If the new electoral map is approved, Barrie will be divided in two.

While Barrie South would include the area south of Dunlop Street and the Town of Innisfil, Barrie North would include not only areas of the city north of Dunlop Street, but Springwater and Oro-Medonte townships as well.

Oro-Medonte is currently part of Simcoe North, which also includes the City of Orillia, Town of Penetanguishene, Town of Midland, Ramara, Severn, Tay and Tiny townships as well as Rama and Beausoleil First Nations.

Barrie North would be about equal parts urban and rural, Stanton said, noting the mix could be helpful to the new riding’s MP as he/she would gain a “broader understanding” of issues concerning voters.

“I think between the two townships, together with the north part of Barrie, you’re going to have a very interesting, very dynamic border,” he said.

Stanton admitted he is concerned about the impact the electoral boundary change could have on residents in the northeastern end of Oro-Medonte who associate themselves more with Orillia than with Barrie.

“They have… less in common with Barrie because they probably don’t go down there that much,” he said, realizing the same argument could be made for the residents at the southwestern end of Oro-Medonte. Given the current boundaries, they likely spend more time in Barrie than in Orillia. “I suppose it works both ways.”

Despite the fact he would no longer be considered a resident or eligible voter in Simcoe North if the boundaries change, Stanton said his loyalty to the riding wouldn’t be swayed.

“I certainly plan to run to continue to be the MP for Simcoe North,” he said, noting it’s not unheard of, especially in urban, concentrated areas, for representatives to live outside of their ridings.

Having been born and raised in Severn, Stanton feels a certain connectivity to the community and during his time in politics, he’s built a network of relationships here.

While he understands the logic behind redrawing the map based on population (the idea is to ensure each vote is of equal weight), he has mixed feelings about the proposed change.

Stanton isn’t a fan of increasing the number of politicians in the House of Commons.

“We’re in times where we’re trying to be very mindful of cost to the taxpayer and we recognize that these things do carry a cost,” he said.

However, he does support closing the gap between “under-represented” and “over-represented” provinces.

Right now, Ontarians get one MP for every 120,000 people, whereas in New Brunswick, there’s one MP for every 75,000 people, Stanton said.

“Your vote as an Ontarian does not have the same weight as a person voting in another part of the country,” he said.

Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes, on the other hand, isn’t sure adding new ridings as the population grows is necessarily the way to go.

“This thing has to stop somewhere,” Hughes said.

Simply shifting electoral boundaries without adding new districts might be a better strategy, he suggested.

“To change the boundaries is one thing, but to think you have to add more people to the House of Commons because the population of Canada grows has to be rethought,” he said.

Like Stanton, Hughes is concerned about the cost that comes with increasing the number of MPs.

“It’s not just the cost of the salaries,” he said, noting in addition to an office and staff, there are travel costs and other expenses attached to each representative in the House of Commons.

Hughes feels the Oro-Medonte residents are being well served at both the federal and provincial levels.

“The accessibility of our current representatives — and quite frankly any representatives that we’ve had in the memorable past — has been good,” he said.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario will be seeking input about the proposed changes. A public hearing will be held at Barrie City Hall on Oct. 17 beginning at 2 p.m.

To learn more about the proposed boundary changes, visit www. federal-redistribution.ca.

—With files from Ian McInroy

Proposed changes to federal electoral map

Barrie Advance September 4 2012

SIMCOE COUNTY – Simcoe County could be affected by proposed changes to the federal electoral map.

A public hearing will be held in Barrie in October.

Canada’s electoral districts are reviewed every 10 years by independent commissions in each province to account for shifts and growth in the population.

These reviews consider population numbers, as captured in the federal census, as well as other important factors such as communities of interest or identity, and historical and geographic factors.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario has proposed a new federal electoral map for consideration at public hearings this fall.

The commission makes final decisions about where the electoral boundaries will be located after consultation, giving the public and members of Parliament an opportunity to express their views and participate in the process.

The proposed new electoral districts are located in the following areas: Brampton (2), Cambridge, Durham (2), Hamilton, Markham (2), Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Simcoe, Toronto (2) and York. As well, despite a slight population decline, the commission has maintained 10 electoral districts in Northern Ontario as a minimum for its effective representation.

The Barrie pubic hearing will take place at City Hall at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17.

Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca. Those wishing to make a presentation at a hearing are requested to send the commission notice no later than October 1 by e-mail at ontario@rfed-rcf.ca or by mail to 130 King Street West, 36th Floor, Suite 3670, P.O. Box 368, Toronto, ON, M5X 2A2.

To consult the proposal online, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca and to obtain a copy, contact the commission toll free at 1-855-747-7224.

Simcoe-Grey riding adjustment drops Blue Mountain, adds Mulmur

New Tecumseth Free Press http://www.madhunt.com/simcoe-grey-changes-20120827.html  August 27, 2012

The process to redraw electoral boundaries to create 30 new ridings in time for the next federal elections unveiled proposed changes for Ontario this morning that includes adjustments to Simcoe-Grey and the division of Barrie into North and South ridings.

It’s likely that Simcoe-Grey could even include a name change since the proposed adjustments shifts Grey County’s Town of the Blue Mountains in the north west to Owen Sound, and moves Springwater Township into the new Barrie North riding.

Added to Simcoe-Grey is the Township of Mulmur which is currently part of Dufferin-Caledon. The redrawn riding will have a population of 113,245 and include the towns of Collingwood, New Tecumseth and Wasaga Beach; the townships of Clearview, Adjala-Tosorontio Essa and Mulmur.

Electoral boundary changes are underway to accommodate the additional The commission looking after the process will be in Barrie Oct. 17, to solicit public input into the proposed changes, beginning at 2 pm in the City Hall, Rotunda.

Of the changes that will grow Parliament to 338 seats from its current 308, Ontario will get 15 new ridings. Alberta, BC, and Quebec are also adding seats.

By Chris Halliday Orangeville Banner Aug 29, 2012

What do Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and Mulmur have in common? Voters in each municipality could be casting ballots in the same riding, should proposed electoral boundary changes go ahead.

In an effort to increase the number of federal electoral districts across the province to 121 from 106, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario is proposing Mulmur be pulled from Dufferin-Caledon and moved into neighbouring Simcoe-Grey.

“We try not to divide municipalities in half, so we took all of Mulmur. We didn’t cut it in half,” said Justice George Valin, chair of the three-member commission. 

“Do you sense the people in Mulmur are going to be upset by this?”

Upset may not be the operative word, but concerned would be bang on. Given his municipality would remain part of Dufferin and be represented by an MP from neighbouring Simcoe, Mulmur Mayor Paul Mills is fearful his residents could get lost in the shuffle.

“We’re in Dufferin County, so our representative should be from Dufferin County, not from Simcoe County,” he argued. 

“What chance are we going to have of any help coming from our representative when we’re in Dufferin?”

Valin acknowledges he and his colleagues faced a much more complex issue than they envisioned. 

Needing to create 15 additional electoral districts in Ontario, the commission started by dividing the province’s population of about 12.8 million by 121 to arrive a magic number of 106,213 electors per riding.

Before the proposal to yank Mulmur from Dufferin-Caledon was made, the local riding sported a population of 116,341. 

By moving Mulmur into Simcoe-Grey, the commission would be able to trim Dufferin-Caledon down to 112,950, about 4,000 residents closer to that ideal population threshold.

“It was all driven by numbers. … It’s just a question of trying to balance the populations to get them as closely as we can to that 106,341,” Valin said. “That is the ultimate. It is impossible to achieve, but we try to come as close to it as we can.”

If approved, the riding of Dufferin-Caledon would include Melancthon, East Luther Grand Valley, East Garafraxa, Amaranth, Orangeville, Shelburne, Mono and Caledon. Mulmur would be placed in Simcoe-Grey, alongside Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, New Tecumseth, Clearview, Adjala-Tosorontio and Essa.

Granted, you’d have to comb back through the history books more than 160 years, but Mulmur was once part of Simcoe County. It wasn’t until January of 1881 that Mulmur joined Dufferin County.

“Maybe they’re looking at going way back when at one time, Mulmur was part of Simcoe,” Mills worried. “I hope they’re not thinking that.”

This isn’t the first time voters in the area have been faced with a potential electoral riding change. In 2003, parts of Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey were broken off to form what’s known today as Dufferin-Caledon. 

If proposed federal riding changes go through, provincial electorate districts aren’t bound to follow suit. Then again, other than a couple ridings in northern Ontario the last time around, each provincial riding obliged.

“In the past, they’ve adopted them. … It is a matter of convenience,” Valin said. “It makes things a lot easier, but they aren’t bound by any law to adopt what finally comes out.”

The proposed boundary changes haven’t been cast in stone  — “I expect that might happen by June of 2013 or perhaps early fall at the latest,” Valin explained. 

In the meantime, public hearings are scheduled in various municipalities across Ontario this fall, including one at Barrie’s city hall on Oct. 17, beginning at 2 p.m.

“If they can’t make it the day we’re sitting in Barrie, they can go to any other meeting,” Valin said. “They’re not restricted by having to go to the closest one.”

After learning of the news on Monday (Aug. 27), Mills plans to get some more feedback on the proposed changes from his colleagues on Mulmur council next week. 

From his perspective, he expects his municipality will likely speak out in opposition. 

“I imagine we’ll be there,” Mills said, referring to public meetings. “We’re not in Simcoe County. We’re in Dufferin County. That is my take on it.”

For more information, or register to attend a public meeting, call the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario at 1-855-747-7224, email ontario@rfed-rcf.ca or visit federalredistribution.ca.