Dear editor,
Well, like they say in that old joke — you’ve got to draw the line somewhere.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission has released its report recommending the Comox Valley be split in half.
I think we just got — how shall I say this politely — shafted.
The report recommends the line between adjoining electoral districts be drawn between Courtenay and Comox.
Courtenay and Cumberland will be joining up with Parksville, Qualicum and Port Alberni, which have a community of interest with each other, but not with us.
Comox, Black Creek and Merville will be sticking with the North Island communities, which have a community of interest with each other, but not with us.
What is the likelihood that the MP for Vancouver Island North will come from Comox or the MP for Courtenay – Alberni from Courtenay?
Even if they do, who are they going to listen to?
Dare I say it?
I do.
This is another reason for the Comox Valley to unite as one municipality.
If these boundaries are approved by Parliament and we do not unite as one, we will not be the meat in the sandwich.
We will be the garnish off to the side. On the periphery. Brushed off. Left out. Ignored.
However, if we unite, we can be the squeaky wheel.
We can gang up on them. We can play one against the other. Or something.
The earliest a federal election can be called with new boundaries is April 2014.
Any time after that, it’s the new boundaries, with the federal election so far scheduled for October 2015. And the next municipal election is November 2014.
So let’s start seriously thinking about forming a single municipal government for the Comox Valley.
So we don’t get lost in the shuffle.
And get dealt a bad hand.
Erik Eriksson,
Courtenay