The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia has proposed a new federal electoral map, including six new electoral districts, for consideration at public hearings this fall.
Canada’s electoral districts are reviewed every 10 years by independent commissions in each province to account for shifts and growth in the population. These reviews consider population numbers — as captured in the federal census — as well as other important factors such as communities of interest or identity, and historical and geographic factors.
Under the proposal, the federal electoral boundaries of British Columbia underwent significant changes in high-growth areas such as the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Okanagan and around Kamloops. The commission has also given weight to historical patterns and community of interest or identity in aiming for effective representation in Parliament, including for First Nations communities and residents of the North.
Meet your commission to discuss its proposal at these places and times:
COURTENAY, Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community, 399 Clubhouse Drive, Monday, October 15, 2012 at 7 p.m.
NANAIMO, Coast Bastion Inn, 11 Bastion Street, Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 7 p.m.
VICTORIA, Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street, Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Everyone is invited to attend. Those wishing to make a presentation at a hearing are requested to send the commission notice no later than August 30 by e-mail at: bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca or by mail (1095 West Pender Street, Suite 301, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2M6).
To learn more about the redistribution of federal electoral districts or to obtain a copy of the commission’s proposal, visit: www.federal-redistribution.ca.