Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
It's a pleasure to be here in front of my colleagues to discuss the boundaries commission.
What I see is a simple change, to make sure we have people who have been historically in two ridings stay in those ridings. I sent a paper with my presentation.
The section of the guidelines that this affects is subparagraph 15(1)(b)(i):
the community of interest or community identity in or the historical pattern of an electoral district in the province
This is what I'm basing my objection on. We should take into account some of the historical context. This is not a domino effect. This presentation and this appeal affect only the ridings of Regina—Lewvan and Regina—Qu'Appelle. Quite frankly, it moves about 5,500 people from Lewvan to Qu'Appelle and then those 5,500 people back from Regina—Lewvan into Qu'Appelle.
You're basically having 11,000 people staying in the ridings they have been in—in some cases, like Regina—Qu'Appelle, since 1993. These people have voted in this riding. They've been in this riding. They live in the riding. Really, I think it might be one thing that the committee just overlooked.
I believe it doesn't affect the spirit of the boundaries commission in what the intention is. As MPs, we get to know our constituents quite well. If we have the ability, as the PROC committee, to put forward a recommendation to ensure that people can maintain and stay in those ridings, I think it's something we should look upon favourably.
I'm going to answer the questions that were laid out for me.
I have talked to my colleagues about this, and my colleagues in Saskatchewan have looked favourably upon this objection. They are all in favour of it.
This objection wasn't made at the boundaries commission because it's based on the second map. The first time we've had an opportunity to bring this forward is as MPs at the PROC committee. Obviously it is a new map, and there were changes made from the original commission's submission before that.
As I said earlier, there is no domino effect on every other riding, which I think is very important to take into consideration. This does not make more work for the boundaries commission in Saskatchewan. It is a simple trade between Regina—Lewvan and Regina—Qu'Appelle.
Does the objection have the support of the community? Yes. I've lived in the community. I know the people in these communities. If you're from Regina, you know that there is a difference between NOD, which is north of Dewdney and...south of Dewdney. It's a big thing in Regina. A lot of people in the area who would come back to Regina—Lewvan are actually.... It's called Lakeridge and Lakeridge Addition. They shop in the same areas. They go for coffee in the same areas. Their kids would go to school in the same areas as well. They're part of the same community associations.
The same is true of the people who would go back into Regina—Qu'Appelle. They'd be part of the same community associations and their kids would go to the same school. As I mentioned earlier, there is a historical reference. People have voted in that riding since 1993.
Finally, the rationale is that it's easier for people to vote where they've voted before. It's basically an objective place where you're making the lines. It's about six city blocks where people live that we're asking to be changed. I think it's something that can be done quite easily.
I very much look forward to answering any questions that committee members may have. I believe it's a common-sense solution to a problem and people will feel comfortable voting where they have voted before.
Thank you very much. I look forward to the questions.