BOUNDLESS: Proposed federal riding changes redraw the borders of the Toronto Centre riding, leaving the area south of Mill Street and the Esplanade in the Spadina – Fort York riding. The proposed new boundaries are shown in the shaded area above. (Old Southern boundary is indicated in grey.)  Map via Laurence Lui.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission has recently released details on a coming reconfiguration of federal electoral districts. Their intent is to better equalize population between ridings so that representation is more fair.

The new proposal has implications for us in Corktown. Where previously the southern boundary of our riding extended to Lake Ontario, the new proposal suggests drawing a border along Mill Street  and the Esplanade. Should the new boundaries be approved, many residents in the southern part of our neighbourhood will find themselves in the Spadina – Fort York riding, while neighbours to the north will remain in the reconfigured Toronto Centre riding.

These boundary changes will very likely filter down to the provincial and municipal level in the future.

For more details, please see the Commission’s website. You can download a detailed PDF map of proposed Toronto riding at this link.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Corktown Residents & Business Association, our MPP Glen Murray suggested that those concerned about the proposed changes get in touch with our MP, Bob Rae — you can find his contact information here. Local Councillor Pam McConnell has already written a letter opposing the boundary change. The CRBA is also sending a letter asking that the change be reconsidered.

We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.