Scarborough needs to make itself heard!

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario is proposing that Scarborough lose a riding. This would take Scarborough from 6 ridings to 5, and Toronto from 25 to 24.

The Scarborough-Agincourt Riding is set to be removed. This would be a serious blow to Scarborough’s political representation, especially given that Scarborough’s federal borders are normally used by the Province to establish provincial riding boundaries and municipal ward boundaries. So Scarborough would lose representation at all three levels of government.

None of the newly-proposed ridings have any correlation with any of our existing ridings. 

Victoria Park, the long-time boundary for Scarborough, would now be in North York ridings! Many of our residents north of Eglinton and west of Warden would no longer be represented by Scarborough Members of Paliament. 

 

As well as signing, PLEASE consider emailing the commission secretary! Your written submission will go directly to the commission!

 

There are many problems with the Commission's proposed plan:

 

• Undercounted population in Scarborough distorts the actual basis of determination of federal riding boundaries in Scarborough. It is estimated that Scarborough has in the range of 50,000 residents not counted in the last census: newcomers with limited English, those living in precarious housing, refugee claimants, international students, and temporary foreign workers. If these residents were counted our population would be approximately 8% higher and there would be no case to reduce one seat in Scarborough. 

 

• Scarborough is a Community of Interest: This redistribution disregards the cultural identity and historical significance of Scarborough especially Agincourt and the Golden Mile. The proposed realignment impacts Scarborough’s identity and our residents' connection to their neighbourhoods, businesses, and community overall.

 

• Fairness: How is it that the City of Toronto grew in population but lost a federal seat, whereas other parts of Ontario and the rest of Canada had areas that lost population but retained their representation? Toronto is the largest and most diverse City in Canada with significant growth happening now and over the next five years yet – it is being disadvantaged in a zero-sum game that moves seats around from growing areas to other growing areas, while protecting areas that are not growing. 

 

• Confusing Decisions: The Toronto riding that we will lose the seat is in an area of Scarborough that just got a much-needed additional seat in the last realignment. Now the report recommends taking it away. What happens when the new housing developments are built over the next few years – will they get it back, which will create voter confusion, disinterest which creates low voter turnout at the polls. 

 

• Scarborough will lose 3 times: Ontario aligns its Provincial Ridings and Municipal wards to the Federal boundaries. This recommendation will remove a seat federally, at Queens Park, and at Toronto City Council. 

 

• Equity for Our Diverse Communities: Scarborough has one of the highest diversity rates in Canada, with 74 % visible minorities. Scarborough has welcomed many newcomers -- our community and its new residents shouldn’t have less representation but actually need more. We have many equity seeking populations that shouldn’t be forgotten in this loss of representation.

 

• Stop the Undervaluing of Scarborough: Scarborough has had too many years of under-investment in social and physical infrastructure. Recent investments in transit come from raising our voices – we need to raise our voices again on this reduction in representation for our residents across Scarborough. 

 

• New Housing and more residents coming to Toronto in Scarborough: As Canada’s largest and most diverse community, Toronto has in its development pipeline 503,362 new housing units, approximately 94,000 recently built. Scarborough has 46,636 units coming on stream within the next few years with 10,380 units in Agincourt alone. Using a conservative estimate Scarborough will grow by 87,000 to 96,000 new residents and Agincourt 20,000 to 23,000. In addition, new transit projects are currently underway in Scarborough that will further increase our population. 

 

In fact, Toronto did continue to grow but it was not as fast as our neighbouring municipalities which should rightfully receive additional representation but not on our backs.   Why is federal representation a zero-sum game for growing urban centres?   It doesn’t make sense. There are certain parts of Canada that are protected even if the population decreases to ensure regional representation across Canada which is understandable.   However, this formula disadvantages urban centres the economic engines of Canada where the majority of Canadians live. Let’s remember 81.65 % of Canadians live in cities.   So where is the representation by population for urban centres?

 

Please spread the word to your fellow residents. Let’s all stand up for Scarborough and for fairness. Our community grows but our representation shrinks. How is this fair?

The Scarborough Community Renewal Organization has made a written submission and will also be speaking at the Scarborough Civic Centre on October 18.

Please join us in voicing your support! As well as signing, PLEASE consider emailing the commission secretary! Your written submission will go directly to the commission!

 

See these local new pieces for more:

'They singled out Scarborough': Federal commission proposal to cut one local riding called unfair - Toronto Star

Riding redistribution proposal would break up Scarborough-Agincourt, disregarding history, cultural identity - Toronto.com

One person, one vote? Oh, that’s not the Canadian way - The Globe and Mail