New federal riding boundaries, which caused controversy in Langley, are likely to be slightly changed.
Langley MP Mark Warawa said Friday that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) adopted his proposal involving Langley’s electoral boundaries. The final word still goes to the Electoral Boundaries Commission, which will consider the committee’s recommendations within 30 days.
The changes the committee agreed to on his recommendations are twofold. One involves the names of the two ridings which will be carved out of the existing Langley riding, which includes both the City and Township.
The westernmost riding, which is attached to Cloverdale, Clayton and other parts of Surrey west as far as 144 Street, will be known as Cloverdale-West Langley. The commission had suggested that it be called Cloverdale-Langley.
The other riding, which will consist of the rest of Langley and a portion of Abbotsford, will be called Langley-Aldergrove. The proposed name had been Fort Langley-Aldergrove, the same name as the provincial riding held by MLA Rich Coleman.
Warawa’s other proposal is that the areas of Willoughby west of 208 Street, which had been suggested for inclusion in Cloverdale-West Langley, remain in the Langley-Aldergrove riding. The committee has agreed to this.
“The riding will be a little larger than normal,” he said Monday. “This new proposal better reflects the interests of Langley and I hope that the Electoral Boundaries Commission will adopt it.”
Warawa testified before the committee on March 5.
The Langley-Aldergrove riding will include all of Langley Township, as well as a portion of Abbotsford from the Fraser River south along Bradner Road to Fraser Highway, and then east to Mount Lehman Road and south to the U.S. border.
The Cloverdale-West Langley riding would add Langley City to the portion of Surrey it will contain. The Surrey portion contains all of Cloverdale and Clayton, between Highway 10 and 88 Avenue, east of Highway 15. At Fraser Highway and 176 Street, the boundary follows the Serpentine River west to 68 Avenue near 152 Street, and then west to 144 Street. Highway 10 remains the southern boundary.
Warawa’s request was based on a redrawing of electoral boundaries that are closer to municipal boundaries.
“Langley residents were very concerned when the Electoral Boundary Commission came out with their first proposal,” said Warawa. “I think that Langley will greatly benefit from these new changes. The new names and boundaries are logical and more consistent with the municipalities of Langley.”
Warawa plans to run again in the Langley-Aldergrove riding. Former Surrey MLA Dave Hayer announced Monday that he plans to seek the Conservative nomination in Cloverdale-West Langley.
The PROC committee tabled its proposal in the House of Commons on Tuesday, June 4. The Electoral Boundaries Commission is expected to consider the committee’s proposal within 30 days calendar. Following this time, the Chief Electoral Officer will prepare a draft representation of the new boundary names and electoral districts. This is sent to the Governor in Council, who shall, within five days, proclaim the new representation order to be in force and effective for any general election that is called seven months after the proclamation is issued.
