Let’s Keep Ties to Our Past, Or We’ll Regret It
Over 150 years ago, our Fathers of Confederation had the forethought to build into the constitution a mechanism to realign electoral boundaries after each 10-year census to reflect changes in Canada’s population.
On September 27, constituents of Brantford-Brant will have an opportunity to make their voices heard about the proposed redrawing of federal electoral ridings. If the current proposed changes are adopted, our community would see residents of the Brantford-Brant Federal riding divided into three separate ridings.
More simply put, our community faces the dismemberment of over 155 years of relationships with our neighbours in Brant County and the six nations of the Grand River.
Their departure will affect not only the way we vote federally, but also the political fabric of both our province and our municipality. Imagine, political parties that once relied on campaigning in neighbouring counties, such as in towns like Paris or Scotland, making up the chemistry of the political parties and landscape in Brantford-Brant.
If we don’t make our voices heard, our communities will be represented by new riding associations that have no historical or cultural ties. The best and brightest of community leaders, volunteers, and activists will be separated by a new boundary line, alienated by a new normal, devoid of the loss of our perennial friends and neighbours.
We have a chance to discuss and keep the ties that bind our cultural fabric along the Grand River. The Commission has set September 25, 2022 as the date by which the Public Participation Hearing Form is to be filed. Do your part by clicking here or by visiting https://redecoupage-redistribution-2022.ca/part/index_e.aspx to make your voice heard.
https://redecoupage-redistri
Andy Straisfeld is a contributor who will be writing a weekly column for the Brant Beacon. Keep an eye out for “Open Dialogue with Andy Straisfeld” every Monday at brantbeacon.ca.
