I provided my presentation in both official languages. I'm sorry about that.
In northern Ontario, communities often lack the infrastructure that is available to people in other regions of the province, including access to Service Canada and other governmental offices and agencies, unlike what they have in southern Ontario; high-speed Internet and cellular services; and public transportation.
Reducing the number of electoral districts would be detrimental to those citizens. I am concerned that the current proposal to eliminate Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing as an electoral district will disenfranchise people from the electoral process, as well as the recruitment—as mentioned by my colleague from Sudbury—of potential candidates for office, especially women or young people.
I should also note that the final proposal from the electoral boundaries commission of Ontario, while based on some of the feedback received during the consultation period as it related to the initial report, differs greatly from its initial proposal and has not received public feedback. To make such sweeping changes to even the initial proposal without giving citizens the opportunity to voice their concerns is concerning.
As I close my initial remarks, I urge this committee to reconsider the drastic changes in northern Ontario. If we look at Brampton, for example, they're putting in a sixth MP. We're talking about 265 square kilometres, and there are currently five MPPs as well who represent that area. They have a lot more resources. I'm not saying they shouldn't have more representation. What I'm saying is it's not equitable compared to what we have to travel in northern Ontario and represent.