The province said it plans to introduce legislation this fall, proposing to add a pair of new ridings in Northern Ontario.
The final report of the Far North Electoral Boundaries Commission calls for two new ridings to be created; called Kiiwetinong and Mushkegowuk.
In a media release issued on Tuesday afternoon, the province said it plans to introduce legislation in the fall.
If passed, the reforms would result in a total of four ridings in the area.
• Kenora-Rainy River, including Dryden, Fort Frances, Kenora and Rainy River
• Kiiwetinong, including the northern portion of the former riding of Kenora-Rainy River
• Mushkegowuk, including Weenusk (Peawanuck) First Nation
• Timmins, including the City of Timmins
“The commission highlights that Kiiwetinong would be a majority Indigenous riding and that Mushkegowuk would be a majority Francophone riding,” reads a statement from the province.
“Adding two additional ridings in the north will complement changes made in 2015 to increase the number of ridings in heavily populated areas in southern Ontario. This, along with other recent reforms, will make it easier for people to get to the polls, better engage younger voters in the democratic process and ensure everyone in Ontario feels that their interests are represented in the provincial legislature ― wherever they live."
