Northern Ontario may get a few new ridings before the next election, but it will still be far outpaced by the number of new ridings created in the south.
The newly established Far North Electoral Boundaries Commission will consult with voters in Kenora-Rainy River and Timmins-James Bay to recommend whether these electoral districts be split into three or four new electoral districts.
The riding of Kenora-Rainy River is over 336,783 square kilometres, about the size of Germany.
The Commission has three months to complete its work before it submits a report with its final recommendations to the Attorney General by August 1.
"The Commission will consider, among other statutory requirements, many factors for effective representation, including, the density of populations, representation of Indigenous people, community interests, accessibility as well as existing municipal boundaries and geographical features," says Justice Joyce Pelletier, FNEBC Chair
But a review will still put the north further behind the eight ball.
A review of ridings for the upcoming general election will increase the number of electoral districts from 107 to 123 or 124, with the new ridings going to the south.
Redistribution is a legislative process that redraws electoral district boundaries so that there are a similar number of electors in each district to maintain what it says is "fair and adequate political representation".
In December 2015, the Representation Act, 2015, was enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
The next election will be on June 7, 2018
