Northern Ontario could lose a seat in Ottawa under the riding redistribution commission’s proposed changes. That’s the word from Algoma-Manitoulin Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes whose riding would be severed and spread out between Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. She says northern MPs are upset and will hopefully get the commission to change its mind.
“It’s not about not accepting any changes,” she said. “I mean we’re open to any changes, we were the last time around too. We managed to convince them that there should be some different changes to what was proposed and we’re hoping that we can regain that seat again.”
Hughes said the seat would be given to Southern Ontario and in the process $1 million in summer student money would be gone from the region.
She adds that public hearings will be held on the changes but they come at a bad time during the municipal elections.
“So I think it’s going to be very difficult for municipal council to take part,” she said. “It’s also going to be detrimental not for them to take part. So I think these communities that are affected should be taking part.”
