Far North Electoral Boundaries Commission looks to better represent remote communities

A five-person commission is about to cross Ontario's far north to hear how people want to be represented at Queen's Park.

The Far North Electoral Boundaries Commission is looking at creating up to two additional ridings out of the vast territory currently covered by Timmins-James Bay and Kenora-Rainy River.

Chair Joyce Pelletier, a Thunder Bay-based judge, said they will consider geography and transportation links when drawing up the new ridings, but said she doesn't yet know which factors will trump others.

"Well, I hope the community's going to tell me that," she said. "That's what the role of the commission is: to go throughout those two districts and hear from the constituents."

A series of public hearings is expected to be held across the north before the commission, which also features former Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Hall, issues its report in August.

The province is hoping to have the riding map re-drawn in time for the next election in June 2018, for which it needs to pass legislation in the fall.

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That will give political parties just a few months to organize in these remote communities, which have been represented by the New Democratic Party for decades.

But Pelletier said she hasn't given any thought to the political implications of the commission's work.

"You know that stuff hasn't even crossed my mind," she said. "I've been so busy just making sure we get into the communities and reach all aspects of our population."