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.