Northern Ontario’s Chambers of Commerce have sent a letter to Elections Canada pointing out their concerns about possibly eliminating a Northern Ontario riding, but a spokesperson says Elections Canada has no status when it comes to proposed boundary changes.
Matthew McKenna of Elections Canada acknowledges the chambers penned a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada regarding the new electoral boundaries map proposed by the independent Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario but says Elections Canada has no say in how the boundaries are drawn.
He adds those decisions are made exclusively by the independent commissions set up in each province.
McKenna adds it is the Commission’s role, and not Elections Canada’s to consider the input received from Canadians and members of the House of Commons when determining the boundaries.
The Commission has recommended the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing riding be eliminated and divided between the Sault and Nickel Belt ridings.