That's right, and that's the only way those two municipalities connect.
The objection to this merger of north Burnaby and North Vancouver is highlighted in the commission's report. I'll read you a quote:
It was and remains apparent to the Commission that there is a distinct lack of enthusiasm on both sides of Burrard Inlet for some combination of the existing North Vancouver and Burnaby—Douglas electoral districts to address deviations from the electoral quota. There were many submissions that viewed the large arterial corridor of the Ironworkers Memorial (Second Narrows) Bridge as more of a challenge to than an enhancement of access and communication for constituents.
Just to remind the committee, this proposal was also put forward in 2002 by the boundaries commission that reviewed boundaries at that time. There was the same level of objection from the community, and that commission decided not to go ahead. They proposed the same configuration that we're faced with today. The community pushed back very hard on both sides, North Vancouver and Burnaby, and the commission in the end reversed its decision and left us with the riding that we have today.
The commission held two meetings on this new change. In total, 59 people attended. One of the commissioners told me that it was by far the most controversial change in the whole province, and he attended meetings with large audiences that were passionately against this change.
Letters from both sides were sent to the commission. There were letters to the editor, lineups of people of all political stripes outside my office, objections from the board of trade, objections from the business improvement associations. There is a letter from city council that I've included in your package. It goes through the four main objections that are brought up time and time again.
Essentially, there's no significant community of interest between these two communities. North Burnaby and North Vancouver are distinctly different. First, North Vancouver is very wealthy, Burnaby, less so. These are different economic profiles. Second, Burnaby is a land of immigrants. We have 100 different languages in Burnaby. North Vancouver is not nearly as diverse. Third, there are different health authorities on the north shore, and North Vancouver and north Burnaby have different health authorities. Finally, there is the objection to the bridge.
Seniors showed up at these community hearings to say that it was almost impossible for them, because they are transit reliant, to make it from one side to the other, and they never travel between those two ridings.