Editor: Earlier this year, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission released its proposal for new federal election boundaries for ridings. Ontario receives one new seat, and as such, there are expected shifts in boundaries.
Chatham-Kent is divided into three ridings: Chatham-Kent–Leamington–Kingsville (will include Chatham and communities south of the Thames west of Kent Bridge Road), Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong (Wallaceburg), and Elgin-Middlesex-Thames (Morpeth, Ridgetown, Moraviantown, Thamesville). The Elgin-Middlesex-Thames riding extends from Kent Bridge Road in Chatham-Kent east past Ilderton. Historically our community has been divided in two, with the Thames as the dividing geographic feature. Instead, the voices of our community will be further diluted with a third riding, pairing some communities with other areas in which they have nothing in common.
It’s been nearly 25 years since we became one municipality. It is time that Chatham-Kent receives its own single electoral district. We deserve strong representation for our communities. As it stands, we have two MPPs and two MPs that do not live in Chatham-Kent. Do we want to add two more?
We cannot allow the voice of our communities to be diluted anymore. With municipal elections in full swing, local candidates should raise their voices on this. This proposal is horrible for our community. We cannot allow these boundaries to stand.
Jason Brown
Chatham
