Procedure and House Affairs Committee on May 9th, 2013

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

I bring you good news.

I don't propose any changes to the boundaries for the new Mississauga West—Streetsville riding that is proposed on the second map. In fact, I even have the agreement of the member of provincial parliament for the area as well, should Ontario decide to continue to adopt the federal boundaries, as they currently do. The local MPP is supportive of what the commission has proposed.

The only suggested change that both the MPP and I would ask you to consider is that we don't see any reason why the name of the riding has expanded from what it currently is, Mississauga—Streetsville, to Mississauga West—Streetsville. He and I would both support dropping the "West" and just leaving the name as it is.

In the proposal, 80% of the new riding is the same as before. We're simply adding the Meadowvale Village part, which is the northeast quadrant of the proposed riding. That's the new part; everything else would stay exactly the same as it currently is. For the sake of continuity and understanding among most of the residents who will not have the boundaries changed, I think it makes sense to leave it as Mississauga—Streetsville. That would be my submission.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Thank you very much, Mr. Butt.

Ms. Ambler, it's great to have you with us today.

[Stella Ambler, Conservative, Mississauga South, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I also bring some good news.

I think my request is simple as well.

It has to do with the name of the riding. I'm quite pleased that there was only a small change to the boundaries, and I'm in agreement with it. The suggestion, which I'm hoping you'll agree to, is to change the name of the riding of Mississauga South to Mississauga—Lakeshore.

The reason I'm asking for that change is that I believe that is a more descriptive name. I think it better describes the character and the uniqueness of the community. You can see from the map that the southern border completely borders Lake Ontario.

When I first arrived here in Ottawa, I didn't realize how few people here knew that Mississauga South was on the lake. Of course, in Mississauga we all know this. In the greater Toronto area everyone knows that the southern part of Mississauga is on the lake, and that the Credit River runs through it as well. But when you leave town, you realize it could be any other GTA riding that happens to be in the southernmost part of the city.

The water is a defining feature for those of us who live in South Mississauga. It's a commercial centre, it's a centre for festivals, it's a place where people meet, eat, walk, stroll, bike, and spend time with their families. Events are held there: the Canada Day parade, the Mississauga Waterfront Festival, Buskerfest, the Southside Shuffle. The all happen around the lake on Lakeshore Road, the main street that goes through all the villages. The three main community centres in South Mississauga are Clarkson, Port Credit, and Lakeview. As you can see, two of those three names refer to the fact that water is a big part of who we are.

I ask that you consider helping me to show the unique nature of Mississauga South to those who don't live in the GTA and Mississauga, by allowing the name of Mississauga South to change to Mississauga—Lakeshore.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

Thank you.

Mr. Butt, did you have one quick thing to say?

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

I want to add that the other member of Parliament from the Mississauga area, Eve Adams, the member of Parliament for Mississauga—Brampton South, has been working with all of us on this. I want to get on the record that she supports all of the changes that all of us have recommended. So the five MPs from Mississauga are all on board with today's recommended changes, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Joe Preston]

I spoke to Ms. Adams as recently as yesterday. She's putting forward a name change, but she thought she would save this committee some time by not coming forward.

We thank her for that.

Mr. Lukiwski, you have seven minutes.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Thank you, and thank you all for appearing.

I think Mr. Butt just answered my first question. Is there any disagreement among any of you about any of the proposals we've heard this morning? You're all in total agreement?

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Absolutely.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Do you have you any, or have you heard of any, disagreements from any of the stakeholders in your ridings, whether they be individual constituents, community associations, municipal councillors, or that type of thing?

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

I have not. Sir, may I address Mr. Lukiwski?

Two city councillors who represent the relevant areas of Mississauga—Erin Mills, that is, Councillor Ron Starr of the city of Mississauga, Ward 6, and Councillor Sue McFadden, Ward 10, both spoke to the commission directly in favour of, not exactly the same eastern boundary, but the community of interest that is between the communities on the east side and the west side of the river. They made exactly the same arguments and are in agreement with these proposals.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

As an ancillary question, if there is no opposition that you know of, do you have any support in demonstrated forms that you've identified at the hearings?

Any other—

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Their testimony is, I think, on record before the commission, and there were several other members of the local community who said largely the same thing.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Okay.

Mr. Butt.

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

To the best of my knowledge, the Mississauga city council and Mayor Hazel McCallion endorse these boundaries and have been consulted on the very minor geographic changes that are proposed for these two ridings. Even our own city council is on board with what's being proposed.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Thank you for that.

You mentioned that Ms. Adams is also fully supportive of the recommended changes.

Beyond the five of you, are there any other ridings or any other members of Parliament that would be affected by the changes you are recommending?

[Brad Butt, Conservative, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

No, there are not, sir.

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

No.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Okay.

Is this the first time that you have had an opportunity, or the first time that you are making this argument, or did you present the same suggestions at the public hearings that the commission held?

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

I did not appear before any commission.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

Mr. Lizon.

[Wladyslaw Lizon, Conservative, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

I did not. However, after the first set of maps was released—and as I said, I fully agreed with them—there was a submission made that we agreed with the proposal for the new riding. That was, of course, changed in the second round, but I am proposing those in the original round and I fully agree with this, and we don't have anybody disagreeing with it.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

I'm just trying to be clear. Will it be the first time that the commission has heard the recommendations you're making today, if they appear in our report?

[Bob Dechert, Conservative, Mississauga—Erindale, ON]

Yes.

[Wladyslaw Lizon, Conservative, Mississauga East—Cooksville, ON]

Correct.

[Tom Lukiwski, Conservative, Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK]

The reason I say that, just for your information and edification, is that it has been the practice of this committee that, if we have unanimity among members of Parliament, then in the report that this committee will eventually submit, it usually recommends those changes. If, however, we find that there is a disagreement among members who are making proposals, then we can only report exactly what we've heard, and obviously the commission, in any event, will be making the final determination. But there is a big difference between this committee recommending the changes that you're presenting to us, or just stating that you have an opinion, but another member has a different opinion. So I think it's important for our analyst to know that you're all on the same page here.

Beyond that it's fairly straightforward. I really don't have any comments beyond that, unless any of my colleagues do.

With that, Chair, I think we're done on this side.