A Toronto journalist who is critical of two new ridings proposed for Northern Ontario is himself being criticized by the Northern Ontario Party. Josh Dehaas says the two ridings, which will be mostly be made up of First Nation communities as the result of splitting Kenora-Rainy River and Timmins-James Bay, will dilute the vote of Torontonians. Dehaas says the newer ridings will have a smaller population but just as much say which he claims gives northerners more impact. However the NOP dismisses this argument. The NOP says Northern Ontario only has 11 ridings compared to 21 for Toronto. It says some of the Toronto ridings are only several city blocks in size and adds most if not all voters can reach their MPP within 30 minutes using a taxi. It says contrast this to Northern Ontario where ridings are several hundred kilometres in size and it takes some constituents up to five hours just to drive to their MPP’s office. The NOP adds people who have no car will never meet their MPP.
The party also has no problem with First Nations having more representation at Queen’s Park. The NOP says Dehaas seems to belittle the new ridings because of the fact they will have mostly First Nation people. But the NOP says First Nations should have an active voice and say at Queen’s Park and creating two new ridings is a step toward achieving this voice.
