Proposed Boundaries – New Brunswick

Part II

The Commission recommends changes in the boundaries and names of the electoral districts as set forth in Schedule A. The proposed changes are explained below.

Proposed Boundaries

Beauséjour—Dieppe and Moncton—Riverview

1. Beauséjour—Dieppe

The City of Dieppe, now part of the electoral district of Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe, would be added to the current electoral district of Beauséjour. There are several reasons for that major change.

The population of the electoral district of Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe is now 98,539. Thus, its population is 23,422 constituents and 31.18% over the provincial electoral quota, a situation that is not allowed by the Act except in extraordinary circumstances. In the Commission's view, such circumstances do not exist in the Greater Moncton area. Accordingly, the Commission is compelled by law to adjust the existing boundaries.

A portion of the City of Dieppe (close to 18% of its population) is already part of the electoral district of Beauséjour. The Commission sees a community of interest and identity between the City of Dieppe and the electoral district of Beauséjour.

The Commission is aware that there are concerns about creating an electoral district where constituents from smaller communities might feel overwhelmed by the presence in their midst of an expanding city like Dieppe. On the other hand, the creation of a mixed rural/urban electoral district is inevitable, given the strong movement of the population of this province to the cities and their suburbs. In the Commission's view, when one considers the rural population of the newly formed district in comparison with the population of the City of Dieppe, there is little apparent reason to fear that the City of Dieppe's presence would be detrimental to rural communities in terms of effective representation.

The creation of the electoral district of Beauséjour—Dieppe obviously has a considerable impact on what remains of the Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe electoral district, which would be known after the readjustment as Moncton—Riverview.

The Commission acknowledges that the Francophone community of the City of Moncton might look upon the reduction of their numbers in the newly formed electoral district of Moncton—Riverview as diminishing their ability to voice their concerns effectively. Indeed, the percentage of Francophones in the newly formed electoral district of Moncton—Riverview would drop from 31.61% to approximately 20%. (The percentages provided are based on the language spoken at home.) On the other hand, no one can take issue with the fact that the City of Moncton is now officially bilingual and that the Francophone community and its institutions form an integral part of Greater Moncton's social, cultural and economic life. In addition, their presence in terms of numbers is far from being insignificant.

In that context, it is somewhat difficult to argue forcefully that an elected representative could ignore their needs as a Francophone community.

As a result of the proposed change, the electoral district of Beauséjour—Dieppe would have a variance from the electoral quota of +22.57%. The variance is high but, considering the density of the population in a relatively small geographical area, it should not jeopardize an elected representative's ability to represent the people of the riding effectively. In addition, the variance is within the permissible range of +/-25% prescribed by the Act. That percentage has withstood the scrutiny of a constitutional challenge at the highest level on the basis that the maximum variance does not erode voter parity to an unacceptable degree (see Reference re Provincial Electoral Boundaries (Sask.) [1991] 2 S.C.R. 158).

b) Moncton—Riverview

As a result of transferring the entire City of Dieppe to the current electoral district of Beauséjour, the Commission would create a newly formed electoral district of Moncton—Riverview, comprising the City of Moncton and that portion of the Town of Riverview presently in the riding of Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe. As a result of the proposed change, the variance from the provincial electoral quota for Moncton—Riverview would be +7.60%.

2. Fredericton

The electoral district of Fredericton has a population of 93,181 and a variance from the provincial electoral quota of +24.05%, which is close to the allowable limit of 25%. The Commission is of the view that the variance from the quota can be significantly reduced by transferring a) the parishes of Canning and Chipman, including the Village of Chipman, to the riding of Fundy Royal and b) the parishes of Maugerville, Northfield and Sheffield and the Village of Minto to the electoral district of Tobique—Mactaquac. As well, the communities of the parishes of Lincoln and Burton would be transferred to the electoral district of New Brunswick Southwest.

The Commission believes that these rural communities have a stronger community of interest with the ridings where they are being transferred than with the electoral district of Fredericton. This factor, along with the desirability of reducing the population of the Fredericton riding, were the two main reasons militating in favour of this proposed change, which would reduce the variance from the electoral quota for the Fredericton riding from +24.05% to +4.32%.

3. Saint John

The electoral district of Saint John has a population of 84,670, which is 12.72% over the provincial electoral quota. The Commission does not believe that the electoral district requires any fundamental restructuring. That said, we believe that two important changes are in order. One affects Quispamsis. A section of Quispamsis, consisting of 2,660 people, is currently part of the electoral district of Saint John, while the much larger section of Quispamsis is located in the electoral district of Fundy Royal. The Commission believes that this is an anomaly and proposes to transfer that part of Quispamsis in the electoral district of Saint John to the electoral district of Fundy Royal. There exists a strong community of interest with the other part of Quispamsis already located in Fundy Royal.

A second change involves the residents of Cape Spencer, in the Parish of Simonds, who are located in the riding of Fundy Royal. For reasons mentioned below, the Parish of Simonds should be transferred from Fundy Royal to the electoral district of Saint John.

As a result of the proposed changes, the variance from the provincial electoral quota for the electoral district of Saint John would be +14.27%.

4. Madawaska—Restigouche

There are no major proposed changes for this riding. The Commission believes, however, that in spite of the problematic low population of the Miramichi riding, the communities of the parishes of Colborne and Durham should be transferred from there to the electoral district of Madawaska—Restigouche.

The Commission is of the view that there is no community of interest between these communities and those of the electoral district of Miramichi, and that the only apparent reason why they now form part of the latter is to augment its population. In our view, these communities can be more effectively represented as part of the electoral district of Madawaska—Restigouche, with which they share a community of interest.

As a result of the proposed changes, the variance from the electoral quota for this electoral district would be -16.78%.

5. Miramichi

The population of this electoral district now stands at 51,996, which is 30.78% below the provincial electoral quota. It is a variance that is not allowed by the Act unless the Commission is of the view that there exist extraordinary circumstances to justify it. The district extends as far north as the Belledune and Colborne area, and as far south as the Acadieville and Blackville region.

The Commission considered transferring the northern portion of Kent County, consisting of the Village of Saint-Louis de Kent and the parishes of Saint-Louis and Saint-Charles, to the electoral district of Miramichi. Those communities had previously been part of the electoral district of Miramichi until transferred to the riding of Beauséjour by the previous commission. The major argument that militates in favour of a return of these communities to the riding of Miramichi is to augment Miramichi's population. After much thought, however, the Commission decided not to adopt that option by reason of the much stronger communities of interest and identity that exist between these communities and the other communities of the electoral district of Beauséjour. The Commission believes that those factors are, in this case, more important than voter parity for ensuring effective representation.

The Commission is also of the view that there are no apparent reasons, other than the riding of Miramichi's low population, to justify the inclusion of the communities of the Village of Belledune in the riding of Miramichi. The Commission believes that the Village of Belledune should be part of the electoral district of Acadie—Bathurst. The decision to include the Village of Belledune in the electoral district of Acadie—Bathurst rather than Madawaska—Restigouche was not an easy one. The Commission acknowledges that Belledune has a strong community of interest with communities in both the Restigouche and Gloucester counties. In fact, the boundary line which separates the two counties runs through the Village of Belledune, and it appears that Belledune has strong cultural and historical ties to communities in both ridings. In the end, the Commission proposes to include Belledune in Acadie—Bathurst on the basis of a stronger community of interest, particularly from an economic standpoint by reason of Bathurst's strong ties to Belledune's large port and industries. Although not a decisive factor, it should be noted that, as recently as March 2012, Belledune's village council opted to be included in the newly created Regional Service Commission 3, which includes the Greater Bathurst area. If matters develop as planned, Belledune's municipal planning and waste management will be handled by staff located in the electoral district of Acadie—Bathurst.

The Commission also proposes to transfer the parishes of Harcourt, Huskisson and Welford, and the First Nations community of Richibucto Indian Reserve No. 15, from the riding of Beauséjour to the riding of Miramichi.

Part of the community of Upper Miramichi is located in the electoral district of Tobique—Mactaquac. The remaining part lies in the riding of Miramichi. The Commission believes that all of Upper Miramichi should be part of the riding of Miramichi.

Taking into account these proposed changes, Acadie—Bathurst's variance would be 5.62% over the electoral quota, while the riding of Miramichi would have a variance of -28.66%. The Act does not allow for a variance exceeding 25% unless the Commission is of the view that such a variance is justified by reason of extraordinary circumstances. In the Commission's view, the large variance is justified on the basis of extraordinary circumstances for the following reasons:

a) This electoral district covers an area of approximately 17,000 square kilometres. It is the largest riding in the province and a considerable challenge for an elected representative in terms of providing effective representation. In that context, the member of Parliament for that riding needs the advantage of a smaller number of constituents to provide more effective representation. The high negative variance (3.66% over the allowable variance) is justifiable in part by the size of the territory.

b) What is extraordinary about this riding is that it is surrounded on all sides (except on its eastern boundary, where water is the impediment to expansion) by large areas with no appreciable population, or by communities that have no community of interest or identity with the riding of Miramichi. To put it simply, there is practically no place to turn to increase the population base for the riding of Miramichi without unduly increasing its size or without seriously dividing communities of interest or identity.

c) In the Commission's view, and bearing in mind the main objective of effective representation, it is more important to create or conserve an electoral district with a small population than to create a riding with a population closer to the electoral quota whose residents feel they don't belong in that riding by reason of the community of interest or identity binding them to an adjacent riding.

6. Acadie—Bathurst

The only change affecting this electoral district has been explained in discussing the changes to the riding of Miramichi. For the reasons covered, the Village of Belledune would be transferred to the riding of Acadie—Bathurst.

As a result of the proposed change, the variance from the electoral quota for this riding would be 5.62%, compared to its present variance of 3.56%.

7. Tobique—Mactaquac

The Commission proposes to transfer a section of Upper Miramichi from Tobique—Mactaquac to the riding of Miramichi, as mentioned earlier.

In addition, the Commission proposes to transfer the following communities from the riding of Fredericton to the riding of Tobique—Mactaquac:

a) the Parish of Maugerville

b) the Village of Minto

c) the Parish of Northfield

d) the Parish of Sheffield

In the Commission's view, there is a strong community of interest between these communities and those of Tobique—Mactaquac.

As a result of the proposed changes, the riding of Tobique—Mactaquac would have a variance from the provincial electoral quota of -1.94%, compared to its present variance of -8.53%.

8. Fundy Royal

As mentioned in discussing the changes to the riding of Saint John, that part of Quispamsis located in the riding of Saint John would be transferred to the riding of Fundy Royal. As well, for reasons to be explained below, the Parish of Studholm and the Village of Norton located in the electoral district of New Brunswick Southwest would be transferred to Fundy Royal.

For the reasons mentioned in discussing the changes to the riding of Fredericton, the communities of the parishes of Canning and Chipman, including the Village of Chipman, would also be transferred to the riding of Fundy Royal.

As a result of the proposed changes, the variance from the electoral quota for this electoral district would be 5.68%, compared to its present variance of -2.17%.

9. New Brunswick Southwest

For reasons to be explained below, the Parish of Studholm and the Village of Norton located in the electoral district of New Brunswick Southwest would be transferred to the riding of Fundy Royal.

The communities of the Parish of Lincoln situated south of the Trans-Canada Highway in the riding of Fredericton would be transferred to New Brunswick Southwest. The communities of the Parish of Burton situated south of the Trans-Canada Highway and west of Highway No. 7 in the riding of Fredericton would also be transferred to New Brunswick Southwest.

For reasons to be explained below, that part of the Parish of Kingsclear where the residential area of Hanwell Park is located (presently in the riding of New Brunswick Southwest) would be transferred to the riding of Fredericton.

As a result of the proposed changes, the variance from the electoral quota for this electoral district would be -12.68%, compared to its present variance of -15.31%.

10. Proposed changes affecting the ridings of Saint John, Fundy Royal and New Brunswick Southwest

There are four communities in these ridings that would be transferred to another electoral district primarily on the basis of common sense. In each case, the transfer can be substantiated on the basis of community of interest and can be instituted without offending the main objective of effective representation.

a) The electors from Cape Spencer, in the Parish of Simonds, are located in the electoral district of Fundy Royal. They ordinarily vote in the electoral district of Saint John because of the absence of a road offering them a reasonable alternative to do so in their own electoral district. As a result, the returning officer for Fundy Royal must ask the Chief Electoral Officer to adapt section 122 of the Canada Elections Act so that polling stations for Cape Spencer electors can be set up nearby in the adjacent electoral district. The Commission therefore believes that it makes sense to transfer the Parish of Simonds from Fundy Royal to the electoral district of Saint John.

b) The electors of Apohaqui, in the Parish of Studholm, belong to the electoral district of New Brunswick Southwest. They habitually vote in a community centre located in their village. A new community centre was built nearby to replace the old one, but it is located in the electoral district of Fundy Royal. Again, the returning officer needs to request a legal adaptation by the Chief Electoral Officer so that Apohaqui electors can exercise their right to vote in a location that is obviously much more practical. The Commission believes that it makes sense to transfer the Parish of Studholm from New Brunswick Southwest to Fundy Royal in order to accommodate the electors of Apohaqui.

c) The dividing line between the electoral districts of New Brunswick Southwest and Fundy Royal runs through the Village of Norton. The Commission believes that all of the Village of Norton should be transferred to Fundy Royal.

d) The dividing line between the electoral districts of New Brunswick Southwest and Fredericton runs through the residential area of Hanwell Park situated in the Parish of Kingsclear. The Commission believes it would make sense, on the basis of community of interest, to transfer this small portion of the Parish of Kingsclear to the electoral district of Fredericton.

Proposed Names of Electoral Districts

The Commission proposes to change the names of some electoral districts, as follows:

a) The riding of Beauséjour would become Beauséjour—Dieppe for the obvious reason that all of the City of Dieppe is being added to the current electoral district.

b) The riding of Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe would become Moncton—Riverview for the obvious reason that the City of Dieppe is being moved to the electoral district of Beauséjour—Dieppe.

c) The riding of Tobique—Mactaquac would become Tobique—Saint John River Valley. This alteration would allow for a better description of the geography of the riding, which would now extend further down the valley to include Sheffield. Most of the riding's population is along the river, and it is appropriate that the name of the riding reflect that fact.

d) The riding of Fundy Royal would become Fundy—Quispamsis to reflect the addition of the urban area of Quispamsis.

No additional name changes are proposed. For a historical background related to the names of New Brunswick's electoral districts, refer to the previous commission's informative proposal and report.