3 GREATER AREA EDITION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

New report urges reforms to spur voter interest ELECTORAL ENGAGEMENT By Leah Wong

In the 2011 federal election, average voter turnout in Greater Toronto Area riding hit 59.1 per cent, a little better than the 2011 federal election Mississauga—Brampton South: provincial average but lower than the -wide rate of Voter turnout (%) by 56.2 61.1 per cent. GTA riding Mississauga East—Cooksville: With a federal vote looming later this year—and the 55.6 all-important Toronto-area ridings key targets for the major Mississauga—Erindale: 60.3 Ajax-Pickering: 60.3 national parties–a citizen engagement group is calling for Mississauga South: 63.2 reforms to encourage voters not just to head to the polls but to Ancaster—Dundas— Mississauga—Streetsville: 57.8 become active participants in the democratic process. Flamborough—Westdale: 68.5 Newmarket—Aurora: 63.0 “We wanted to put the focus on democracy beyond the Barrie: 59.8 Oak Ridges—Markham: 59.1 ballot box,” Samara Canada research director Jane Hilderman Bramalea—Gore—Malton: 53.5 Oakville: 67.9 told NRU. “We hope it’s a chance to spur Canadians to think Brampton—Springdale: 57.7 Oshawa: 56.8 about what could change. In an election year there are lots of Brampton West: 54.0 Pickering—: ways to get involved.” Burlington: 66.5 61.2 Her comments follow today’s release of Samara’s Democracy Dufferin—Caledon: 60.0 Richmond Hill: 55.2 360 report card on the state of Canada’s democracy, which Durham: 63.2 Thornhill: 60.0 found that Canadians are becoming less engaged in politics Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes— over-all, not just on voting day. Th e report, which gives Vaughan: 55.1 Brock: 63.0 Canadian democracy a C grade, concluded that Canadians are Wellington—Halton Hills: 66.2 Halton: 61.7 not participating in politics and feel their representatives are Whitby—Oshawa: 62.5 Hamilton Centre: 53.6 neither infl uential nor eff ective. York Centre: 58.9 Hamilton East—Stoney Creek: One of the report’s recommendations calls on federal York—Simcoe: 57.8 parties to add to the diversity of candidates in upcoming 57.0 York South—Weston: 51.9 nomination meetings across the country. With elected : 61.0 York West: 48.1 members to the House of Commons who mirror the diversity Markham—Unionville: 54.1 of their communities, observes the report’s authors, Canadians Source: Elections Canada of all backgrounds would see themselves represented in Parliament by politicians who understand their needs. “You [need] a diverse candidate pool to get diversity in the per cent of people living in the Toronto census metropolitan House of Commons and we’re falling short in terms of having area in 2031 will belong to a visible minority group. a house that resembles what the Canadian population looks Municipalities within the Toronto CMA also have the highest like,” said Hilderman. Samara found that Canada falls short proportion of visible minorities in Ontario, with Markham at on fi ve measures of representation: visible minority status, 72.3 per cent and Brampton at 66.4 per cent in 2011. gender, foreign-born Canadians, youth (age 18 to 30) and Federal parties decide who will run as nominees and thus indigenous people. have a responsibility to recruit candidates who refl ect the Representation by candidates who are ethnically diverse diversity of local ridings, says Hilderman. As well, she said, and who chose to settle in Canada is seen as increasingly nominated candidates need to ensure their campaigns are important in the Greater Toronto Area, which has become a welcoming to all potential voters. magnet for newcomers from a wide range of cultures. According Th e report assessed the satisfaction of Canadians with to Statistics Canada’s diversity projections, approximately 60 their current political leaders, with Ontario CONTINUED PAGE 4 > 4 GREATER TORONTO AREA EDITION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 GTA IN BRIEF

DURHAM architecture. Dating to Oakville planning and 166 townhouse units in 1920-21, the school is one- development council Oakville Whitby school storey in height with large authorized draft plan of At its March 9 meeting, recommended for heritage windows and a distinctive condominium approval to Oakville planning and designation low-pitched hopped roof Fernbrook Homes (Dorval) development council Whitby planning & with central square skylight Ltd. for its property at the approved a draft plan of development committee and overhanging eaves. northwest corner of Dorval condominium submitted by considered a report Constructed of red brick, Drive and Rebecca Street. Peppergate Developments recommending designation the school is topped by Submitted by David Faye Inc., prepared by Rady- under the Ontario Heritage an elaborate cornice with & Associates and prepared Pentek & Edward Surveying Act of R.A. Sennett Public wide overhang and bracket by J.D. Barnes Ltd., Ltd., for the property at School, located at 300 King detailing. application seeks permission 2420 Baronwood Drive. Street, for its historic and for a common element Th e application proposes a architectural value and HALTON condominium inclusive of a 166-unit stacked townhouse interest. Th e classic revival private rear lane, sidewalks, development inclusive of 255 style of this building is Oakville common element 16 visitor parking spaces and parking spaces, a private road, an example of early 20th condominium approved landscaping for a 62-unit landscaping and pedestrian century Ontario scholastic At its March 9 meeting, townhouse development. walkways. CONTINUED PAGE 8 > ELECTORAL ENGAGEMENT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 residents the most content about the state of democracy they want to improve in their communities and do see in some compared to voters in other provinces. About 16 per cent of of their civic activities,” said Hilderman. “But that energy and Ontario residents were “very satisfi ed” with democracy and 72 talent isn’t transferring over the political arena as much.” nru per cent expressed “overall satisfaction,” according to the report. Voter turnout is one important indicator of the eff ectiveness of Canada’s democracy, according to Hilderman, but she added that it is also important to look at other ways that people are civically engaged. Th e report measured the civic engagement of Canadians Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario and oversees GO Transit, using yardsticks, such as charitable giving and volunteerism. PRESTO and the Union Pearson Express. Our goal is to create a transportation network that enhances the prosperity, sustainability and quality of life for the Greater For example, the report found 83 per cent of Canadians Toronto and Hamilton Area. Join us as we work together to transform the way the region moves. have donated to charity, volunteered or been involved with We are currently seeking a Senior Advisor, Design Excellence Integration to a community group. Despite this high level of engagement, contribute to the planning of mobility hubs and stations across the organization, in support of the objectives outlined in The Big Move and Mobility Hub Guidelines. citizens are not choosing to join a political party or volunteer For more information on this exciting opportunity and to apply online, please refer to on a political campaign, according to Samara, with only 37 per the detailed job posting by visiting the Current Opportunities page on our website. cent of Canadians reporting a formal involvement in politics. www.metrolinx.com “Canadians clearly care about causes and see problems