Wilson opposes removal of Blue Mountains from Simcoe-Grey

Posted September 27, 2012

Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson has weighed into the electoral boundary change process currently underway at the federal level as it concerns Ontario, expressing his concern that separating the Blue Mountains from Simcoe-Grey "will just confuse and disrupt the economic interests of the Georgian Triangle region."

Last month, the commission undertaking the riding adjustment review across the provnince to make room for the additional 15 seats that will be added to Ontario in time for the 2015 federal elections, released its proposed new riding map. The Town of Blue Mountains would become part of the Owen Sound Riding, while Springwater would be incorporated into a new Barrie North riding.

The redrawn riding would have a population of 113,245 and include the towns of Collingwood, New Tecumseth and Wasaga Beach; the townships of Clearview, Adjala-Tosorontio Essa and Mulmur.

In his Sept. 26th letter to Beverly Hayter, Commission Secretary, Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario, Mr. Wilson requests to appear as a deputation at the Oct. 17th public hearings at Barrie City Hall starting at 2 pm.

"As you may know, Collingwood and The Blue Mountains share an Ontario Provincial Police detachment and a great number of people in The Blue Mountains are more likely to travel to Collingwood than Owen Sound for government services, such as driver licensing, health cards, photo cards, passports and social insurance applications," writes Mr. Wilson. "Likewise, there are many people who travel to Collingwood rather than Meaford or Owen Sound for hospital services, and the tourism and economic development initiatives between Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview and The Blue Mountains are too numerous to mention.

Collingwood and The Blue Mountains are clearly communities of interest and I don't think it makes sense to disrupt those links. I note that both municipalities have expressed a desire to keep The Blue Montains in Simcoe-Grey."

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