Gélinas proposes amendment to include Wahnapitae First Nation in Nickel Belt
Wahnapitae sits in Timiskaming-Cochrane provincially, but Nickel Belt federally
Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas hopes her proposed amendment to Bill 45, the Election Statute Law Amendment Act, finally changes the riding boundaries of Nickel Belt to include Wahnapitae First Nation.
Wahnapitae First Nation is currently in the provincial riding of Timiskaming-Cochrane. Federally, it sits in the Nickel Belt riding.
"Wahnapitae First Nation's links are to Nickel Belt. This is where people go for their health and educational services and to conduct their business," Gélinas said, "geographically, it makes very good sense for Wahnapitae First Nation to be included within the riding of Nickel Belt.
Members of the community often go to her office whenever they need help, Gélinas said, since her office is only about half an hour away.
Chief Ted Roque said Wahnapitae had previously made request for the shift to little avail.
"For over a decade, we have made requests to the provincial government to correct its mistake and put the community back into the provincial riding of Nickel Belt," Roque said, "as our community continues to grow, and the links to Nickel Belt become even stronger, it is imperative that the riding boundaries change to reflect these links.''
Gélinas said Bill 45 is currently at second reading.