Milton will be getting an extra voice in Ottawa.
After a review by an independent commission -- tasked with redrawing federal boundaries every 10 years or so to better reflect changing populations -- the new electoral map has been finalized.
The Milton riding has been split into two: Burlington North-Milton West and Milton East-Halton Hills South.
“It’s good that the town’s going to be represented by two MPs, rather than just one,” said longtime councillor Colin Best. “It’s more representation.”
Here are the new official riding boundaries, according to Elections Canada.
Burlington North-Milton West
- The northwest part of Burlington, starting from Kerns Road and Dundas Street, then moving northeast along Dundas Street to Highway 407, south along Highway 407 to Guelph Line, southeast along Guelph Line to Upper Middle Road, northeast along Upper Middle Road to Walkers Line, southeast along Walkers Line to Queen Elizabeth Way (Highway 403), and northeast along Queen Elizabeth Way to Burloak Drive.
- The southwest part of Milton, starting from Lower Base Line West and Regional Road 25, then moving northwest along Regional Road 25, Ontario Street South, and Ontario Street North to Steeles Avenue East, southwest along Steeles Avenue East to Martin Street, northwest along Martin Street and Regional Road 25 to 5 Side Road.
Milton East-Halton Hills South
- The southeast part of Halton Hills, starting from Nassagaweya-Esquesing Townline and 15 Side Road, then moving generally northeast along 15 Side Road to Trafalgar Road, northwest along Trafalgar Road and Highway 7 to 22 Side Road, and northeast along 22 Side Road and its intermittent extension to Winston Churchill Boulevard.
- The northeast part of Milton, starting from Lower Base Line West and Regional Road 25, then moving northwest along Regional Road 25, Ontario Street South, and Ontario Street North to Steeles Avenue East, southwest along Steeles Avenue East to Martin Street, northwest along Martin Street and Regional Road 25 to 5 Side Road.
Best, who serves as president of the Association of Municipalities of Canada (AMO), said he is pleased with the commission’s decision to keep all of rural Milton within one riding, rather than splitting it off with Wellington County as previously proposed.
These new boundaries will be used in the next general election, expected to occur on or before Oct. 20, 2025.
Milton MP Adam van Koeverden reportedly intends to run in the Burlington North-Milton West riding, while former MPP Parm Gill plans to seek a seat in Milton East-Halton Hills South.
Best pointed out that the recent provincial byelection highlighted ongoing challenges in people's understanding of issues falling under federal and provincial jurisdictions. As AMO president, part of his advocacy involves encouraging people to educate themselves about these topics and become more engaged.
“The representatives can't represent people unless (people) tell them what their concerns are,” Best said.
The regional councillor added that it is likely the province will adopt these changes in the future.