Thank you.
I think the main objective of this redistribution is to better represent the people of our community. The distinction between Vancouver and Richmond is that they have two different municipal structures and they pay different taxes. I think it's important to know how we represent these communities.
Vancouver Airport, although it's named Vancouver Airport, is also part of Richmond Centre. I think there's underlying population growth in Richmond as well, because there will be a lot of development happening in the next decade, and there will be representation of not just Canadians but also immigrants, newcomers and tourists. These people were not considered when the report was done, during the pandemic.
I have heard from my constituents and Marpole residents that it is very important to have the representation reflect the historical boundary, which will also better represent them in the community they live in. It's important that we be mindful of that. Of course we want to work out the numbers, but the numbers are not accurate at this point, because, according to the city report, the population between my riding and Steveston—Richmond East is 230,000, and if we have an equal split, the numbers would be the same as well.
That's why, with the ripple effect that was caused by the proposal initially, my colleague and member of Parliament Parm Bains went to the commission to share that concern, and that's why they made the changes to put the riding of Delta back to being on its own, as well as keeping Richmond by itself. Now, with that ripple effect, I've been given, in addition, the area of Marpole.
Thank you.