A proposed expansion of federal electoral boundaries in Northern Ontario isn’t sitting well with Municipalities across the region.
The City of Dryden is the latest to speak out against.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario is suggesting the riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River take in a portion of the Kenora riding that includes the cities of Dryden and Kenora and the township of Ignace.
This would create the new riding of Kenora-Thunder Bay/Rainy River.
The remaining portion of the current Kenora riding would fall under a new riding called Kiiwetinoong-Mushkegowuk.
It would be carved out of other northern Ontario ridings and stretch from the Manitoba border to the Quebec border.
Councillor Norm Bush says, “It’s hard to believe we’re dealing with this level of insanity. Anybody that would put together such a proposal obviously hasn’t taken the time to ride or fly with any of the MPs or MPPs who look after these ridings and understand the geographical challenges that are here.”
Bush adds, “In order to even come close to properly representing the north, the interests of the north, and the interests of the province derived from the north, if anything we should be adding people not subtracting people.”
He says, “If we look at subtracting representation from the north it’s going to mean that there’s further isolation, further insulation, and even less understanding of the people of the north and the value of the north.”
Councillor Michelle Price says considering the boundary changes is absolutely ludicrous and ridiculous.
Council is set to approve a resolution against the move later this month.
It will be passed on to the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.
