In essence, the revised plan provides a boundary that would have 85,595 people living in it, which is plus 13.5%. What I'm objecting to is the removal of nine polls situated within the city of Moncton on the north side of the Trans-Canada highway. The population there is 6,087.
We may as well talk about it right off the bat. Adding those 6,087 people would drive the population up to 91,682, which is plus 22% of the provincial quotient. You should be mindful that in the Miramichi—and this is all about geographics, as that's the way New Brunswick is laid out—they're minus 21%.
In my mind, the only apparent reason for moving these nine polls into the neighbouring riding of Beauséjour—Dieppe is the voter parity and the quotient. So why should we take exception? Why should we amend this and let the riding of Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe go to plus 22%?
Well, there are two very good reasons. One, we want to respect the ultimate goal of effective representation of the citizens residing there, and two, we want to preserve the community of interest.
You must have heard these terms before, Mr. Chair. I'm just guessing.