A federal commission is looking into changing the riding boundaries.
I have long thought that a Federal riding that groups the Sunshine Coast with West Vancouver plus Whistler is absurd.
The Sunshine Coast needs a riding that reflects its unique region. A Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding would be the ultimate.
Others I’ve noticed have said we don’t need more Members of Parliament, we need less!
I am grateful to Darren Inkster who’s been on the front lines on behalf of the Sunshine Coast BC Canada who is today’s special guest blogger.
Guest blog by Darren Inkster
I have been asked by a number of people lately to explain the issues around the boundary commission’s recommendations.
Basically, every 10 years the federal government takes a look at existing electoral boundaries in order to determine whether the existing boundaries meet the needs of the people within that riding.
Sometimes changes are made that may not reflect the makeup of the riding.
At this point in time, the commission has recommended that the Powell river region be taken away from the lower coast/Sechelt peninsula portion of the riding in order to be joined to the North Vancouver Island riding ( this has happened before ).
A number of people are not happy with this proposed change for some very obvious reasons that include the shared history, culture , and economics of the coastal region and how the electoral boundaries need to reflect this.
We have so much in common with Powell River.
Consequently, we should not be divided and we need to have the same MP representing both areas of the Sunshine coast .
Its important to have an MP that is a Sunshine Coast expert.
For now, many people such as myself have taken up the Sunshine coast banner to defend our riding boundaries.
You can help by contacting MP John Weston
or your best bet is by sending an email to the Federal Riding District Commission directly at
bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca
Attention Susan McEvoy
Before Oct 18th, 2012.
In the meantime, a group of locals including myself and the illustrious and omniscient Duane Burnett will continue to get the word out.
Good will to all………… Darren Inkster
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I asked the commission if they would kindly include a hearing on the Sunshine Coast as there are none scheduled here!
Here is their response:
Dear Mr. BurnettThe Commission is holding 23 hearings across the province during a six-week period. The closest hearings to the Sunshine Coast are in Squamish and Courtenay. Unfortunately, it was not possible to hold a public hearing in all municipalities in BC. That is why the commission welcomes written submissions from anyone who is unable to attend a public hearing. Written submissions will be accepted until October 18th and have as much value as a presentation at a public hearing. The commissioners are grateful for the many submissions they have received from the Sunshine Coast to date.Best regards,Susan McEvoy
Secretary
Federal Electoral Boundaries
Commission for British Columbia
Email them a submissions before October 18th, 2012 : bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca
If you like, copy and paste what you email the commission
into the comment/reply box below this article.
Let’s get a conversation going!
It’s Always a Good Day on the Sunshine Coast! Duane Burnett
It is vitally important to the economic future of both the Northern & Southern Sunshine Coast that we remain within the West Vancouver Sea To Sky Riding boundaries presently represented by our MP John Weston. The very notion of breaking up the Sunshine Coast, or having it as riding unto itself, is tantamount to disenfranchisement in the extreme. We already can see the what the results are to being associated to the Province’s concept that we be associated to the Vancouver Island & Coastal Communities. WE ARE NOT AN ISLAND! We are now and will be even more so in the future an integral part of the economic fabric currently found within the present Federal Riding Boundaries. In spite of what some Sunshine Coast citizens would have you believe our political beliefs are not that disparate from those of West Vancouver. Please bear this in mind as you debate this crucial geopolitical decision: We need “One MP’s Voice” in Ottawa and, if we want Federal infrastructure funding to construct the Coastal Connections Highway we need to stay within the current riding boundary. The economic driver necessary for this future link is knotted tightly to that of West Vancouver Sea To Sky and not Vancouver Island. Please think into the future as this is not a here and now decision.