County News
Prince Edward-Quinte option
‘BQ’ the wrong acronym for this riding
Kingston and the Islands Member of Parliament Ted Tsu has come to the aid of Prince Edward County—and historical consistency.
He, like many in this community, feels that Bay of Quinte is the wrong name for the proposed new federal riding that is intended to encompass Prince Edward County, Quinte West and Belleville—at least the portion below the 401.
Tsu presented his objections to a parliamentary committee last week that is considering changes to the Electoral Boundaries Adjustment Act.
Tsu suggested that Prince Edward-Quinte should be substituted as the label for the newly configured riding.
He argued that the Bay of Quinte poorly describes the electoral district, as the bay shares its shorelines with a number of communities that will not be included in the riding. He notes as well the historical significance of Prince Edward having been part of this riding’s name since Confederation. And Tsu pointed out that the acronym of Bay of Quinte, that is BQ, shares its initials with a federal separatist party—a fact he finds unfortunate and inappropriate.
Last week County council filed its own objection agreeing with Tsu’s suggestion and recommending, by way of council motion, suggesting the newly configured riding be named Prince Edward-Quinte.
Mayor Peter Mertens says this name is a better fit with history and a better descriptor of the district it encapsulates.
But not all agree. Adrian Bax heads the Bay of Quinte Living Council, an agency that promotes the Bay of Quinte region as a great place to live. He wrote in an op-ed piece in the Intelligencer on the weekend.
“We need to band together, pool our resources, and market the region for growth, or risk economic peril,” wrote Bax. “We need to grow, and it needs to be together.”
The process by which objections from Members of Parliament are considered is planned to be completed this month—though it could take longer. A review of the past realignment process indicates that few of such objections are accepted.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is targeting to complete its work this fall. If proclaimed, the new riding configurations, and names, will be in effect for the next federal election expected in October 2015.
What a pity. PEC has been in Quinte for as long as anyone knows the region. Bay of Quinte is the name used for the region as a whole, together. Did County Council even consult with the region prior to asking the Kingston MP for a name change? I have read the Intell Article by Mr Bax and agree with a regional approach http://wellingtontimes.ca/?p=8727. We need to work together, and that includes banding in a region. Prince Edward County is part of the Bay of Quinte Region!
Great article for awareness – we all need to voice our opinion! I wrote the Commission Office (ontario@rfed-rcf.ca) on the historic importance of continuity & objection to the name change. My response is below and I intent to follow-up with our M of P:
“Thank you for your email.
At the present time the report is being considered by a parliamentary committee. It will then be returned to the Commission who will consider the recommendations and/or objections from the Members of Parliament and decide whether to modify any boundaries or district names. To answer your question, we do not need a further notice from you regarding your objection, however you may want to consult your Member of Parliament.
Beverly Hayter
Commission Secretary”