After every 10-year census, our Constitution requires that federal electoral ridings be reviewed, to take into account any population changes.
This review is undertaken by independent provincial commissions. Here in Ontario, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario published their proposal on August 19th, 2022.
In relation to our community, the Commission’s report proposes to:
- Remove sections of the Elizabeth Gardens neighbourhood to a new riding, Oakville Lakeshore;
- Remove sections of the Tyandaga and Brant Hills neighbourhoods to a new riding, Burlington – Milton West;
- Add sections of the Headon Forest and Millcroft neighbourhoods, which are currently part of the Oakville – North Burlington federal electoral riding.
As a community, we all want to be part of an electoral riding that is representative of who we are, and where we are.
I am concerned about the subsuming of Tyandaga and Brant Hills into a Milton riding and Elizabeth Gardens into Oakville, as these neighbourhoods are served by schools, hospitals, and other services located in the City of Burlington.
I encourage all residents to take a look at the proposed new boundaries put forward by the Commission.
The Commission, in its initial proposal looks only at population, and not communities of interest, therefore when petitioning the Commission, it is important to explain why or why not a certain area should be a part of an electoral riding.
Following the publishing of the new boundaries, the Commission will also accept written submissions from the public by mail and email until September 25th, 2022. There will then be both virtual and in-person hearings from September 26 – October 29th.
In Halton, there will be a virtual hearing on September 28th, and an in-person hearing on October 12th. These require registration by September 25th in order to participate. I will be participating in both hearings.
The Commission will then submit a report, consider objections from the public and the House of Commons, and prepare a final decision outlining the new boundaries for the province of Ontario.
As these proposed changes will affect our community of Burlington, and neighbouring Oakville and Milton, it is important that residents be informed and have their say.
You can view the proposed changes, complete and register your submissions, and learn more at redecoupage-redistribution-2022.ca.