Riding changes tabled
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for B.C. has proposed a new federal electoral map
This map highlights the proposed new Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge riding, which would include a small portion of Port Coquitlam, but not residents east of 240th Street in Maple Ridge.
Photograph by: submitted , TIMES
Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and a small portion of Port Coquitlam could make up a new federal Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge riding, if proposed changes are accepted.
Another riding would be developed for the area, as well, encompassing Maple Ridge from 240th Street east, through Mission, and crossing the Fraser River to include part of Abbotsford, according to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commision.
It would increase the number of MPs representing B.C. in the House of Commons from 36 to 42 in the next federal election.
Canada's electoral districts are reviewed every 10 years by independent commissions to account for shifts and growth in the population, according to the commission from B.C.
The proposal takes into account B.C.'s increase in population from 3,907,738 in 2001 to 4,400,057, as captured in the 2011 census, as well as other factors such as communities of interest or identity, and historical and geographic factors.
"They're proposals and not set in stone," said Mike Murray, executive assistant to MP Randy Kamp.
(Kamp is in Iceland, and was unavailable to comment.)
"The proposed boundary has to come within around 100,000, and that is a challenge for the people who are making these decisions," Murray added.
The commission also gave weight to historical patterns and communities of interest or identity in aiming for effective representation in Parliament, including First Nations communities and residents of the North.
Under the proposal, the federal electoral boundaries underwent change in highgrowth areas such as the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, the Okanagan, and around Kamloops.
An opportunity to meet the commission and discuss the proposal will happen in Maple Ridge in council chambers on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.
Those wishing to make a presentation at the hearing are requested to send the commission notice no later than August 30 by email at bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca or by mail (1095 West Pender Street, Suite 301, Vancouver, B.C. V6E 2M6).
To learn more about the proposed boundaries or for a copy of the commission's proposal, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca.
smclaren@mrtimes.com
