Canada’s federal electoral map is changing.
Every 10 years, after the census is conducted, the number of electoral districts and their boundaries are revised to reflect population shifts and growth.
That includes looking at B.C. and the Okanagan-Shuswap electoral district.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for B.C. has been established and it has begun its review of the province’s federal electoral districts.
The three-person commission is headed by John E. Hall while the commissioners are Stewart Ladyman and Peter Meekison.
“I shall seek to ensure that designated new electoral boundaries and districts in this province will be fair to voters in terms of representational equality and regional representation and reflect historic patterns of representation,” said Hall.
B.C.’s population has increased from 3,907,738 in 2001 to 4,400,057 in 2011, and the commission is currently formulating a proposal for B.C.’’s 42 seats in the House of Commons to reflect population growth.
The B.C. commission will publish its proposal outlining the new electoral map in a few months, and public hearings will follow.
In order to involve the public as soon as possible in the process, the commission is inviting citizens to participate in creating the initial proposal by providing their comments by e-mail or mail by April 20.
To learn more about redistribution of federal electoral districts, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca
