Recognize Innisfil in riding’s name: mayor

By Bruce Hain Innisfil Journal Oct 18, 2012 – 

INNISFIL/BARRIE —The word “Innisfil” should be contained in the name of any new federal riding, Mayor Barb Baguley says.

The mayor made her case to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission of Ontario (FEBCO) during a public meeting at Barrie City Hall Wed. Oct. 17. The commission was seeking comments on a proposal to split Barrie into two ridings – Barrie North and Barrie South. 

Under the proposed realignment, Innisfil would become part of Barrie South. Innisfil would be severed from its current riding, York-Simcoe, in time for the next federal election in Oct. 2015.

 “The proposed boundary change has removed the Town of Innisfil from its historic alignment with other similar semi-urban/rural communities along the shores of Lake Simcoe,” Baguley said.

Since 2002, Innisfil has formed part of the York-Simcoe riding that also encompasses the Bradford West Gwillimbury and Georgina. Prior to 2002, Innisfil was the middle cog of the Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford riding.

“While we share many similar objectives with our neighbours to the north, we do have many unique characteristics,” Baguley said. “Our community does have a rich history and our residents are proud of their community and heritage. The reality, unfortunately, is that too often, decisions are made at the senior levels of government, though well intentioned, that fail to recognize the heart and soul of small towns and rural communities.”

Baguley asked the commission to consider using the name ‘South Barrie-Innisfil’ as the name of the proposed new riding currently referred to as Barrie South.”

Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman agrees both municipalities’ names should be included in a new riding.

“If the Commission really wants to reflect the area, use a name that reflects it, “Lehman said at the time.

Members of the provincial Commission include Justice George Valin, Douglas Colbourne and Dr. Leslie A. Pa