North won't lose seats with boundary changes

Southern Ontario will, under the Electoral Boundaries Act, see an increased number of provincial seats but Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines says that won't reduce the number of northern seats in the provincial legislature.

Ontario passed legislation today to ensure that the existing 11 northern ridings will be maintained.

In 2005, the province took legislative action to preserve Northern Ontario’s electoral boundaries instead of mirroring the federal redistribution, which reduced the number of federal seats in Northern Ontario from 11 to 10.

The Chief Electoral Officer recommended that Ontario adjust its electoral boundaries.

The new electoral map will be in place for the next general election scheduled for 2018.

“There is no question that economically and socially, the North is a unique and vital part of Ontario," says Gravelle. "This bill re-affirms our government’s commitment to protect representation for Northern Ontario and provides a strong voice for the North, now and in the future."