09/29/2022
This evening Mark MacKinnon, Ward 6 Councillor for City of Guelph and I delegated to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario regarding proposed changes to the federal electoral boundaries for Guelph and Wellington Halton. [There is NO change to the municipal boundary].
Here are my remarks
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario is proposing shifting upwards of 25,000 Guelph residents living South of Arkell road, South of the Hanlon Creek and West of the Hanlon below Wellington St West to the federal electoral district of Wellington-Halton.
I would like to raise a number of concerns regarding timing, voice, community of interest, the proposed boundary at Arkell Road, clarity and the name of the electoral district.
I would first raise a concern regarding the timing of this consultation – in the heart of a municipal election- Councils, councillors and candidates have not had time to closely examine the proposals or to consult with the public. And for an exercise in democracy, I believe this is problematic.
With respect to voice, I am concerned that residents of South Guelph who fall under the proposed boundary would become a small segment of voters in a huge geographic and largely rural riding.
While the principle of representation by population is central in our democracy – consideration also has to be given to a common community of interest. The challenges in Minto and Erin and in rural townships are not the same as those in South Guelph, which is the fastest growing part of the city in one of the fastest growing cities in Ontario.
The commission states that historical patterns, communities of interest and identity, and manageable geographic size were also considered.
First historical patterns: It’s true that lands in South Guelph were annexed from Puslinch in 1993 into Guelph’s municipal boundary so there is a historical connection. But it’s one that is problematic. Since the annexation, new communities have been built with a Guelph identity and Guelph aspirations. The identity, community of interest and civic orientation on all issues from growth to governance have been towards the City of Guelph, not towards the surrounding County and the Townships.
As a Ward 6 resident and representative, I have serious concerns that cleaving off the southernmost part of the city to be represented by a largely rural federal riding will exacerbate the enduring sentiment from some that South Guelph is “not real Guelph.” It’s not at all helpful to encroach on the municipal boundary precisely where it was previously annexed – especially when we’re building a vision of One Guelph.
We have just made progress municipally to redress significant under-representation for South-end residents at City Council. I am concerned the proposed federal boundary could set us back.
With respect to clarity, the proposed federal electoral district boundary encompasses primarily a large portion of Guelph’s Ward 6 but does not follow municipal ward boundaries- the demarcation lines cutting through the natural heritage system may be confusing.
Perhaps there is an opportunity to review the proposed boundaries taking into consideration Guelph’s 2021 census population of 142,000 which exceeded projections.
Ideally, I would propose leaving Guelph as is until the Commission can allocate two MPs. Potentially, I could see an alignment of a portion of Guelph with Puslinch so we at least have the corridor, ground water, the Paris Galt morraine and boundary issues in common.
Should the Commission determine that this is not possible I would ask you at MINIMUM to include Guelph in the name of the electoral district.
Shifting 25,000 people in South Guelph to the Wellington-Halton riding, where there is little community of interest. Where they may have very little voice - and where the Guelph is not even included in the name of the riding - may be a cure that’s worse than the status quo.
