Queen’s Park: Ontario passed legislation this week that will increase the number of provincial ridings in southern Ontario and make them consistent with the new federal electoral boundaries. As a result, there will be 15 new ridings in southern Ontario, mostly in areas that have seen significant population changes, such as Toronto, Peel, York, Durham and Ottawa. At the same time, the existing 11 northern ridings will be maintained to ensure that northern communities continue to have effective representation in the provincial legislature.
The Electoral Boundaries Act, 2015 will, according to Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General, “Increase the number of seats in Ontario’s legislature will help ensure there is representation that reflects our growing population. I am pleased to see the province continue to take steps to strengthen our democracy.