[homeles_ot-l] Redistribution of federal ridings - why October 1st is an important date plus other stuff

Thu Sep 13 14:04:49 EDT 2012

Hi folks,

The redistribution of the federal ridings is underway and will create the electoral districts for any elections not held before April 2014 - that's the earliest they could take effect. The process is that the Speaker of the House appoints a three-person commission, chaired by a judge, in each province and gives them the census data for the province. They then propose new boundaries and must hold public hearings on the new ridings. 

This could change who your agency and your clients will work with on federal matters and, of course, give us another MP to persuade of the importance of a genuine national housing strategy to replace the "well, they can always go to a shelter if they have no place to live" mentality.

In Ontario, the hearings start October 9th and will be in Ottawa November 5th and 6th at the Hampton Inn. The proposal is to increase Ontario's ridings to 121 from 106. Ottawa will be getting one of the new ridings so adjustments are being made across the city. There does not appear to be any other way of giving your opinion to the Commission although their address is below and I suppose you could send a written submission. The hearings are the only thing included in their description of the process. I am going to contact them to clarify this.

You have to ask in writing to make a presentation by OCTOBER 1st or you may not get to speak to them. 

The links below give the process both in Ontario and across Canada. I've also copied the Ottawa hearing info as well as the address, etc. for making a request to present. The text explanation of the new boundaries is below with a link to a map of the proposed new ridings. 

A chance to participate in a democratic process - something not seen too often in this country! So get out there and use it!!!!!!!!

Linda.

Elections Canada's role in this process (they have very little to do with it) 
http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/red&document=index&lang=e 

Redistribution Commissions across Canada - Look above the pretty pictures to find the links to the provincial commissions - it took me a minute to find them so I'm saving you the frustration ;-D 
http://www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca/content.asp?document=home&lang=e 

Who's on the Ontario Commission - one of them is a prof from Carleton 
http://www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca/content.asp?section=on&dir=mem&document=index&lang=e 

Proposed boundaries for Ontario ridings 
http://www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca/content.asp?section=on&dir=now/proposals&document=index&lang=e 

Proposed new boundaries for Ottawa ridings - MAP 
http://www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca/on/now/proposals/15-ottawa.pdf 

Proposed changes for Ottawa ridings: 
The City of Ottawa currently has seven electoral districts with a total population of 879,196. The Commission decided to create one additional electoral district to accommodate the region's population growth. Some electoral districts would have remained unchanged but required minor adjustments because they were based on municipal boundaries that ceased to exist after amalgamation in 2001.

The Commission proposes that the electoral district of Carleton—Mississippi Mills be renamed Carleton—Kanata. It is comprised of the current electoral district less the Town of Mississippi Mills, assigned to the proposed electoral district of Lanark—Frontenac—Hastings, and less that part south of Highways No. 7 and 417, assigned to the proposed electoral district of Nepean—Carleton. It has a population of 100,118 and is 5.74% below the provincial quota.

The Commission proposes that the electoral district of Nepean—Carleton be comprised of the current electoral district, adjusted as follows: plus that portion of the current electoral district of Carleton—Mississippi Mills lying south of Terry Fox Drive and Highways No. 7 and 417; less the proposed new electoral district of Nepean. It has a population of 91,550 and is 13.81% below the provincial quota.

The Commission proposes that the boundaries of the electoral district of Ottawa West—Nepean be slightly adjusted, as with the proposed electoral district of Ottawa Centre, along Baseline Road and Fisher Avenue. It has a population of 111,881 and is 5.34% above the provincial quota.

The Commission proposes a new electoral district named Nepean, bounded as follows: on the north by the southern boundary of the current electoral district of Ottawa West—Nepean; on the east by the Rideau River; on the south by Brophy Drive and Bankfield Road; and on the west by the eastern boundary of the current electoral district of Carleton—Mississippi Mills, with a slight adjustment connecting Richmond Road to Robertson Road. It has a population of 104,775 and is 1.35% below the provincial quota.

The Commission proposes that the boundaries of the electoral district of Ottawa Centre be slightly adjusted along Baseline Road and Fisher Avenue. It has a population of 113,619 and is 6.97% above the provincial quota.

The Commission proposes that the boundaries of the electoral district of Ottawa South be adjusted along the Rideau River. It has a population of 121,894 and is 14.76% above the 
provincial quota.

The Commission proposes that the boundaries of the electoral district of Ottawa—Vanier be adjusted with the addition of a small portion of the current electoral district of Ottawa—Orléans to balance population. The population is 110,999 and is 4.51% above the provincial quota.

The Commission proposes that the electoral district of Ottawa—Orléans be extended slightly into the current electoral district of Glengarry—Prescott—Russell because of the expansion of suburbs across the current boundary. The Commission believes people living in these suburbs will have a greater community of interest with Orléans. A portion of the current electoral district lying north of Regional Road 174 (Beacon Hill) is assigned to the proposed electoral district of Ottawa—Vanier in order to balance population. It has a population of 116,903 and is 10.06% above the provincial quota.

Hearing dates across Ontario 
http://www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca/content.asp?section=on&dir=now/hearings&document=index&lang=e 

Hearings in Ottawa 

Ottawa, Hampton Inn & Conference Centre 
200 Coventry Road 

Monday, November 5, 2012 

10:00 a.m. 

Ottawa, Hampton Inn & Conference Centre 
200 Coventry Road 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 

10:00 a.m. 

If you wish to make a presentation at a hearing or submit a comment, you should inform the commission in writing as soon as possible but no later than October 1, 2012.

Your notice of presentation should include:

your name, address and contact information
the organization you represent (if any)
the date of the public hearing that you wish to attend
a short overview of the issues you intend to address
your official language of preference, and
any accommodation needs you may have

Your written notice can be sent to the Commission Secretary at ontario at rfed-rcf.ca or you can fill out this form online: Public Hearings Notice Form.

You can also send your written notice by mail to:
Ms. Beverly Hayter
Commission Secretary
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario
130 King Street West, Suite 3670
P.O. Box 368
Toronto, ON
M5X 2A2 

Failure to give written notice may result in your not being able to make a presentation.

Please note that any submission along with your name, in the form of an oral or written presentation, sent or presented to the electoral boundaries commission, shall be deemed a public submission and may therefore be accessible to the general public. It may also be included in transcriptions of public hearings and published on the Internet. 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.web.net/pipermail/homeles_ot-l/attachments/20120913/0fe763e0/attachment-0001.htm>