A federal commission charged with redistributing Ontario’s electoral districts could have a domino effect on the east end’s three federal ridings.

The Ontario commission is part of a process that was launched following the 2021 Census to examine the electoral map in all 10 provinces. Each of the 10 commissions is made up of a judge appointed by the chief justice of the province and two other members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

In Ontario’s case, the commission is chaired by Justice Lynne Leitch. The two other members are Dr. Karen Bird, who is a political science professor at McMaster University, and Peter Loewen, who is a professor of political science and the director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.

Among the recommendations which the commission has put forward is a proposal to remove Blackburn Hamlet from the riding of Orléans and include it with Ottawa-Vanier which will be renamed Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester.

The new boundary would actually dissect St. Joseph Blvd. just west of the White Sands Par 3 golf course.

The western boundary of the riding will be moved from Ted Kelly Lane and Cox Country Road to Cardinal Creek, which will effectively remove the new Cardinal Village subdivision from Orléans and merge it with Prescott-Russell.

The southern boundary of the riding will be moved from Hwy. 174 to just south of Navan Road, which will see Carlsbad Springs also merged into Prescott-Russell. Bradley Estates and any future development on the south side of Navan Road would continue to be part of Orléans.

The proposed changes do not sit well with Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde, who is trying to rally support in lodging an objection to the proposed changes to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs which has the ultimate say on the commission’s recommendations.

Among her objections, Lalonde says the proposed boundary changes will have a negative impact on the identity and livelihood on the riding’s residents.

Specifically, Lalonde wants Blackburn Hamlet and Cardinal Village to remain in the riding.

“I previously requested the status quo in both my report and public appearance before the Commission. However, the Commission did not take our concerns into consideration,” Lalonde writes in her letter of objection.

“The Orléans community has a strong sense of identity and pride, and the proposed changes to the electoral boundaries will negatively impact our livelihood and sense of belonging. I encourage the Committee to take action to ensure that the Orléans community is preserved and protected.”

Lalonde’s objections are echoed by Orléans West-Innes city councillor Laura Dudas whose ward will be cut in half by the proposed changes. Not only is she the local city councillor for the area, she also lives in Blackburn Hamlet.

“If this goes through, it means that Black-burn Hamlet will be in the same riding as theByward Market. That’s crazy. Blackburn Hamlet residents have a much closer affinity to Orléans than Ottawa-Vanier in every way. In minor sports. In shopping. In dining out. In going to school. You name it. They need to keep things as they are.”

Stephen Blais is the provincial represen-tative in the riding. He doesn’t agree with the proposed changes either which would likely be adopted by the province if the go through.

“Blackburn Hamlet and Cardinal Village belong in Orléans,” argues Blais “Neighbourhoods with common interests should stay together and not be drawn into ridings where there is no common interest with the rest of the riding.”