Dear editor,
Community alert!
We in the Comox Valley have somehow become the butt of an incredible bad federal joke. I have just received a copy of the proposed electoral map of B.C. for the distribution of federal districts and I am horrified.
The plan for our area is to basically divide Courtenay in half, with all of us north of the river to remain in the North Island District — and those of us south of the river to join the Nanaimo-Alberni riding.
What’s wrong with this picture?
First of all, we have the threat of splitting our community at a time when we’re working so hard at building community, so vital for our future.
At a time when our various governments are doing their best to consolidate to “save money,” we’re being dissipated. With years of inability to truly have a voice for our valley in Ottawa we will be faced with trying to speak through two voices.
Look ahead to 2015 and imagine two campaigns in Courtenay, two entirely separate electoral regions for voters. Imagine the political signage! The confusion!
Perhaps you’re worried about the sanity of this proposal. If so, you have until Aug. 30, 2012 to make written notice to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for B.C. indicating that you will make a presentation at the Courtenay hearing on Oct. 15, 2012. Check out the information at www.federal-redistribution.ca. This hearing would be cancelled if there is a lack of presentations. Let’s let them know that this is not going to happen and why!
Dorothy Drubek,
Comox Valley
