Good morning, colleagues. It's a pleasure to be with all of you today.
I am here for two reasons. First, I object to the name change of the Niagara Falls riding, which is contained within the electoral boundaries commission report for Ontario. The commission proposes changing the riding name from “Niagara Falls” to “Niagara North”. Second, with the support of our local mayors, I'm also here to propose that the riding now be called “Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake”.
Regarding the commission's proposed name change to “Niagara North”, I object for the following reasons.
First, the riding name Niagara North is both inaccurate and confusing. Geographically, the north area of Niagara stretches along the entire length of the shoreline of Lake Ontario. This area transcends many municipal boundaries, including municipalities and adjacent federal ridings such as St. Catharines and Niagara West. All of this area can be considered Niagara North.
Second, it seems to me that the riding name may have been proposed by the commission to conveniently counterbalance the newly renamed riding of Niagara South, which was formerly called “Niagara Centre”. However, it does not accurately reflect the close connections the two communities of Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake share. Nor does it relate to, or resonate in any way with, the local population that resides in these communities.
Instead, I'm suggesting, by way of my proposal, that the riding now be called “Niagara Falls—Niagara-on-the-Lake”, and I do so for the following reasons.
First, there are only two municipalities within the boundaries of this riding. This proposed name is short and descriptive to accurately reflect those two communities.
Second, both municipalities, Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, are popular culinary and wine tourism destinations, and they share a unique historical bond in being the home to the largest number of War of 1812 battlefield sites anywhere in this country. Recognizing both of their names in the riding name honours them in this regard and highlights their significance and place in Canada.
Third, the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has never been included in a federal riding name for the area. Adding the town's name to the riding name better represents and honours what I am proud to say is the first capital of Upper Canada in a community that has become known as the prettiest town in Canada.
Last, in terms of the order of municipality names, Niagara Falls should be sequenced before Niagara-on-the-Lake because Niagara Falls is larger in terms of population and economy and is Canada’s number one leisure tourism destination.
Importantly, I wish to emphasize that this proposal for the change has the support of both municipal mayors.
I thank you for the time this morning and I'll take any questions that follow.