Procedure and House Affairs Committee on April 18th, 2013

[François Lapointe, NDP, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

The present name is Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup.

[Sadia Groguhé, NDP, Saint-Lambert, QC]

All right.

[François Lapointe, NDP, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

The commission was given a mandate to try to shorten the name. A kind of search was conducted for names of historical figures, and Captain Bernier came up among the commission members, but they were absolutely not unanimously in favour of it. All the briefs submitted in Rivière-du-Loup recommended that that name not be used. Montmagny—Rivière-du-Loup was suggested to us in the second version.

We are here today to argue in favour of two things. If the existing situation is ever maintained, Les Etchemins will stay with Bellechasse. The current boundaries of Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup will be maintained. The commission even has a regulation providing that, in the event all boundaries are maintained, the name will be maintained as well. That is what we propose. We are also arguing in favour of this because, in a process in which the names of the RCMs are being kept, we do not see why those of two RCMs in the community should disappear. We note as well that Kamouraska has just experienced that at the provincial level. These regions have been inhabited for 450 years. There is a regional identity there. Consequently, every time they are erased from the map in this way, it obviously leaves a kind of mark.

For all these reasons, I believe we should simply stick to the idea of maintaining the name Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup.

[Sadia Groguhé, NDP, Saint-Lambert, QC]

If the boundaries were maintained, keeping the name would be consistent.

[François Lapointe, NDP, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Yes.

[Sadia Groguhé, NDP, Saint-Lambert, QC]

That is very good.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Thank you.

Mr. Dion, you have the floor.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

First, Mr. Blaney, you must be very proud of the people from your riding who got up at 2:30 in the morning to come and show their attachment to their community. I do not know whether they are doing it for their member, but it is definitely for their community.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

It shows motivation. And we should think of all our Canadian friends who live far away in western Canada. They had to get up at 2:30 in the morning and to take a plane and so on. So that shows how attached Canadians are to their communities.

Thank you for that fine presentation. We do not really feel like countering such a fine presentation, especially since the figures make sense.

I would just like to ask you to repeat the demographic consequences for the electoral districts affected if Les Etchemins is put with Bellechasse, as it would be logical to do.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

It is simple. Lévis-Bellechasse and Les Etchemins together have a population of 112,000 inhabitants. So that is a variance of 10.9% from the electoral quota. That is somewhat consistent with Ms. Latendresse's comment about flexibility in respecting the community of interest.

My colleague's riding has a variance of 5% from the electoral quota. Remember that we are headed down toward the lower St. Lawrence. So there is some fairness.

I would take this opportunity, sir—

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Less than 5%, is that now or under the proposed change?

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

That is under the proposed change.

[François Lapointe, NDP, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

That is virtually 4%. In view of the fact that Les Etchemins would be with Bellechasse, there would be a variance of less than 4% or so, which I believe is less than the traditional tolerance of 10%.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Then my hypothesis is that the commission has really set itself the objective of not exceeding a variance of 10%, as far as that is possible. If Les Etchemins is added to you in this way, you will be at 10.92%, nearly 11%.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

Exactly.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

I cannot speak on behalf of the committee, but I would be very much in favour of having the committee tell the commission to show some flexibility in view of people's deep attachment to their community, as well as historical continuity, which are the other two criteria under the act.

[Steven Blaney, Conservative, Lévis—Bellechasse, QC]

As you mentioned this morning, we have here a demonstration of our people's attachment to their electoral district and to their roots.

Furthermore, with respect to local elected representatives, as Mr. Lapointe mentioned, if there are 70 municipalities, there are 70 mayors. That also means 70 farm women's circles and 70 Knights of Columbus clubs. So it becomes a challenge.

I think there is a reality behind those figures that must be distinguished.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Absolutely.

You also mentioned the problem of travel, which is very complicated.

[François Lapointe, NDP, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Allow me to welcome that remark by my colleague. It is consistent with the defence of our interests. Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup and potentially Les Etchemins will wind up with nearly 70 municipalities. His comment is ultimately very much appreciated and very justified.

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

With regard to Beauce, if the people of Saint-Lambert do not feel they are "Beaucerons", I think we can understand why they want to go to Lévis.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Stéphane Dion, Liberal, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC]

Similarly, if the other two communities do feel they are Beaucerons, we should understand why they want to join Beauce.

There would obviously have been quite a large demographic variance if the change involving Saint-Lambert had not been made. However, that is not the case. On the contrary, a balance has been established. I agree that all Beaucerons should be together.

[François Lapointe, NDP, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Thank you. They will appreciate that.

[A voice]

Beauce for the Beaucerons.