Proposed electoral boundary changes could have a significant impact on the outcome of federal and provincial elections in St. Thomas and Elgin county.
The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario unveiled its roadmap that would see St. Thomas incorporated into a new riding to be known as London South – St. Thomas.
It would stretch north to Commissioners Road and the Thames River, east to Springwater Road to include Belmont and Mapleton, south to John Wise Line and west to Sunset/Westdel Bourne/Wonderland Road, but would not include Lambeth.
Elgin-Middlesex-London riding would no longer exist, instead a much larger riding of Elgin-Middlesex-Thames – with a population of 117,400 – which includes Port Stanley, Port Burwell, Rodney, Ridgetown, Glencoe, Strathroy, Harrietsville and Mossley would be created.
The London South-St. Thomas riding has a population of over 120,000, the majority of residents living in London.
The new ridings are expected to be in place by 2025.
A virtual public hearing will be held 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27.
For details on how to make a written submission, visit https://redecoupage-redistribution-2022.ca/com/on/prop/othaut/pro_e.aspx
Written by Ian McCallum
