Our region’s MP says a proposal to split our area’s riding is no longer on the table.
Last fall, the federal government made a proposal to divide Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes into two new ridings called “Gananoque-Brockville-Prescott” and “Lanark-Frontenac.”
At an event in Kemptville Monday morning, Michael Barrett explained that the boundary change won’t be happening.
“I engaged with community leaders from all thirteen municipalities in the electoral district,” Barrett said, “I engaged with the Chambers of Commerce and the [Business Improvement Areas], and the chambers and municipal leaders all spoke to the effect that our collaboration has been able to have, to the benefit of our community.”
Barrett said he made a formal presentation to the commission in charge of electoral district boundary changes after speaking with those community figures, which led to our riding being left as-is.
However, Barrett said the name is changing slightly, removing the “and” to become Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands-Rideau Lakes.
He said that change will take effect in 2024.