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Commission Redraws the Federal Electoral Map of British Columbia

VANCOUVER, Tuesday, July 3, 2012 — The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia has proposed a new electoral map for consideration at public hearings taking place this fall. British Columbia is gaining six electoral districts as a result of the increase in its population.

The proposal takes into account British Columbia's increase in population from 3,907,738 in 2001 to 4,400,057, as captured in the 2011 census.

"High population growth was noted between the North Shore and Chilliwack, on Vancouver Island, in the Okanagan as well as in the Kamloops area. These changes have prompted us to make substantial adjustments to the boundary lines in these regions," said the Honourable John E. Hall, chair of the three-member commission. Mr. Stewart Ladyman and Dr. J. Peter Meekison are the other members of the commission responsible for readjusting the province's federal electoral boundaries.

In addition to looking at population numbers, the commission focused on historical patterns and community of interest or identity to achieve the goal of effective representation in Parliament. "We also bore in mind the proper representation of First Nations communities and residents of the northern electoral districts," said judge Hall.

Under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, the commission's main aim in redrawing boundaries is to divide the province into electoral districts as close to the average population as reasonably possible. The population of a district should remain within 25% of the average once consideration is given to communities of interest or identity, and historical and geographic factors. A commission can depart from the 25% guideline to deal with extraordinary circumstances.

Public hearings

Residents of British Columbia are invited to share their views on the proposed federal electoral map at public hearings:

North Vancouver, Holiday Inn, 700 Old Lillooet Road, Monday, September 10, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Squamish, Executive Suites Garibaldi Springs Resort, 40900 Tantalus Road, Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Surrey, Sheraton Guildford, 15269 104th Avenue, Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Delta, Coast Tsawwassen Inn, 1665 56 Street, Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Prince George, Coast Inn of the North, 770 Brunswick Street, Monday, September 17, 2012 at 2 p.m.
Langley, Coast Hotel & Convention Centre, 20393 Fraser Highway, Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Abbotsford, Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre, 36035 North Parallel Road, Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Maple Ridge, Council Chambers, Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Vancouver, Harbour Centre Building, Simon Fraser University, 515 West Hastings Street, Monday, September 24, 2012 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Richmond, Best Western Abercorn Inn, 9260 Bridgeport Road, Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 7 p.m.
New Westminster, Inn at the Quay, 900 Quayside Drive, Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Coquitlam, Executive Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre, 405 North Road, Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 2 p.m.
Cranbrook, Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, 803 Cranbrook Street North, Monday, October 1, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Nelson, Best Western Baker Street Inn, 153 Baker Street, Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Castlegar, Fireside Inn Hotel & Conference Centre, 1810 8th Avenue, Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Penticton, Penticton Lakeside Resort, 21 Lakeshore Drive West, Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Kelowna, Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre, 2170 Harvey Avenue, Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Kamloops, Kamloops Convention Centre, 1250 Rogers Way, Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 7 p.m.
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.
Burnaby, Holiday Inn Express Metrotown, 4405 Central Boulevard, Thursday, October 18, 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.

Notices of presentation should include:

the person's name, address and contact information
the organization he/she represents (if any)
the date of the public hearing he/she wishes to attend
a short overview of the issue(s) he/she intends to address
the official language of preference
any accommodation needs the person may have

Written notice can be sent by e-mail to bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca or by mail to the address below. Alternatively, the Public Hearings Notice Form can be filled out online at www.federal-redistribution.ca under British Columbia > Public Hearings.

To obtain a copy of the commission's proposal or to learn more about the redistribution of federal electoral districts, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca.

Information:

Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia
1095 West Pender Street, Suite 301
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6E 2M6

Tel.: 1-855-747-7236 (toll-free)
Fax: 1-855-747-7237 (toll-free)
bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca