Back in October I reported that the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario (FEBCO) proposed changes to Don Valley West’s boundaries which would have split Leaside into two separate federal ridings, and into two separate provincial and municipal ones. Given Leaside’s location, under that proposal we likely would have had to work with two separate and divergent community councils. Every item of business would have to be dealt with separately at each level of government, complicating and delaying progress on every one of Leaside’s issues.
At the time, I wrote that there were fairer ways to correct voter inequality (riding sizes) without overriding the identity, interests, and survival of a 110-year-old community, with a well-established history and identity.
The Leaside Residents Association urged Leasiders to contact FEBCO to express your and our opposition to their proposals. We deputed in writing and in the public hearing.
And today I am the bearer of GREAT NEWS! Bold letters are warranted.
The Commission’s final report has just been released. Here’s the key quote:
“The Commission’s proposed boundary was heavily criticized. The Commission received dozens of submissions from members of the public urging the Commission to make Leaside whole. The Commission found these arguments persuasive. Leaside has been reunited in its entirety in the district of DON VALLEY SOUTH.”
Don Valley South’s western boundary is largely the existing Don Valley West boundary, which includes Bennington Heights to the Beltline. The southern boundary, for the most part, runs eastward through the Don Valley.
The eastern boundary of Don Valley South will no longer be Leslie Street, but east of the Don Valley Parkway. This change adds much of the Don Mills neighbourhood into the renamed Don Valley South. The northern boundary will be York Mills, rather than the present boundary at the 401.
So, thank you, Leasiders, for your support!
In my next column I’ll look into some of the interesting implications of the newly redrawn riding. We are living in a remarkably fluid political landscape these days!
Revisiting traffic
More news, this time on the traffic front. We are about to hear details in a public meeting of the Leaside Neighbourhood Transportation Plan’s near-term plan. We will be able to offer our detailed feedback on the measures as they are proposed. Once a date for the meeting is set, the City will send a mailing to Leaside residents (or an email to those who may have already subscribed to get updates on the project).
This is a good time for you to visit the plan’s website www.toronto.ca/LeasideNTP or write () to ensure the planners know you want to be contacted, and to show your support for making Leaside’s streets safer through effective design. We should all attend the consultation meeting, targeted for the end of March.
In the meanwhile, the next LRA board meeting will take place on Wed., March 1st at 7:30 p.m., on Zoom. If you’d like to join us, please let us know by that date and we’ll be glad to send you the Zoom access details. You can find us at www.leasideresidents.ca.
