Total Population and Dwelling Counts (Source: Statistics Canada 2011 Census Profile)
Total Population in 2011 210 891
Total Population in 2006 216 473
Population Change 2006-2011 -2.6%
Total Private Dwellings 96 483
Private Dwellings occupied by usual residents 87 830
Population Density per sq. Km 1 441.30
Land Area (sq. Km) 146.32
FACTS AND FIGURES
- Ranked a member of the World’s 21 Intelligent Communities of the Year in 2010 and 2011 by the Intelligent Community Forum (based on broadband connectivity, knowledge of the workforce, innovation, digital inclusion, and marketing and advocacy)
- Ranked a member of the World’s Top 7 Intelligent Communities of the Year in 2011 by the Intelligent Community Forum
- Home to the busiest land border crossing in North America
- Border crossing accounts for 28% of US/Canada trade
- Border crossing accounts for $130 billion worth of two-way surface trade
- Windsor-Essex Parkway Project one of the largest construction projects in the region’s history (1.6 billion dollar project to provide gains for the city’s construction industry poised to increase by 35% in 2012)
- Major economic advantages include manufacturing sector (particularly automotive production), construction and financial real estate market)
FAIR REPRESENTATION ACT – WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR RIDING, AND HOW THIS AFFECTS WHO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IS IN OTTAWA
On October 27, 2011, the Government introduced bill C-20 (An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act – Short Title: Fair Representation Act). The bill primarily sought to address the discrepancy between increasing populations in certain provinces in relation to the number of elected representatives that are assigned to each province. The bill was given Royal Assent on December 16, 2011, and is expected to be fully implemented t by the next fixed date for a federal election (October 19, 2015).
Briefly, the bill makes the following changes:
- Amends section 51 of the Constitution Act, 1967 by changing the formula used to calculate seat redistribution (Note: It does not legislate a specific number of seats per province)
- Establishes a new seat allocation formula that will move every province to representation by population
- Ensures that the Senate Floor clause and the Grandfather Clause in the constitution remain intact (s. 51(1), Rule 2 and s.51(a)) still apply [these clauses ensure that each province does not receive less seats than it did in 1985 when the seats were redistributed and that the provinces do not receive less seats in the House of Commons than they have in the Senate)
- Maintains the proportional representation of Quebec relative to its population
The Constitution and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act already require that the number of the seats in the House of Commons and the Federal electoral boundaries are reviewed after each decennial census (every 10 years). Bill C-20 essentially streamlines this process so that the changes are established before the next federal election, but will take effect for the next federal election. It also redefines the formula used to calculate seat redistribution. A timeline for this process can be found on the Elections Canada website through the following link: http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/red/over&document=index&lang=e
Where and by how much the seat distributions will changed will be determined by an independent, non-partisan, commission for each province which will be chaired by a judge appointed by the Chief Justice of each province, and be comprised of 2 other members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons. The commissions will work with the most recent provincial population estimates. The redistribution of seats will be determined with the following criteria in mind:
- Geographic factors
- Communities of interest or identity
- Historical patterns of previous electoral boundaries
- Maintain a manageable geographic size for the representative (taking into account sparsely and densely populated areas)
There will be an opportunity for Members of Parliament to make recommendations on the changes to the electoral boundaries via public hearings and through the House of Commons review process, and for constituents to attend public forums in the future. Information about public consultations for constituents will be available through the federal redistribution website once the commissions are established.
The following provinces will receive extra seats:
- British Columbia (6 more seats)
- Alberta (6 more seats)
- Ontario (15 more seats)
- Quebec (3 more seats)
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT WINDSOR-TECUMSEH?
The Commissions responsible for the federal redistribution plans have all been assigned to their respective provinces. Each commission has received the latest population estimates from the CEO and will develop a boundaries proposal for its province. After at least 30 days of the publication of a commission`s proposal, it is required to hold at least one public hearing. Members of the public notify the commission if they want to appear at public hearings within 23 days after the proposal is published. . MPs will also be given the opportunity to make presentations at these hearings.
As the redistribution plan develops under the existing commissions, I will be sure to keep you informed of any updates that may come my way.
