Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes is calling on the House of Commons to maintain northern Ontario's 10 electoral districts.
On Wednesday, Hughes tabled a petition from constituents saying as much.
“I stand to table a petition signed by residents of northern Ontario who are calling on the House of Commons to recognize the impact that reducing the number of electoral districts in the region following the Report of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission will have on their electoral representation,” said Hughes. “Their collective appeal is to ensure that the number of electoral districts in Northern Ontario are maintained at ten, by modifying the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act.”
The Ontario Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission submitted its final report in the House of Commons, which effectively reduced the number of ridings in northern Ontario from ten to nine in 2023.
Despite efforts from community groups arguing that the region should keep the same level of representation during public hearings and a Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) Committee report that proposed maintaining the number of electoral districts, the Commission chose to reduce seats in northern Ontario.
“The petitioners are looking to this House to respect the Supreme Court of Canada’s 1991 Carter decision that states ‘effective representation and good government in this country compel that factors other than voter parity, such as geography and community interests, be taken into account in setting electoral boundaries,’” said Hughes.