Alta. electoral boundaries up for review

Alberta’s population has grown more than 20 per cent since 2009.

That’s the last time officials took a look at the province’s electoral boundaries. Since then, however, some neighbourhoods have grown considerably.

And by law, the boundaries of Alberta’s 87 constituencies must be revised to provide more equitable representation.

Now the province’s Electoral Boundaries Commission is starting that process, with public meetings early this year. Sessions will be held Jan. 25 in Lethbridge and Jan. 26 in Medicine Hat.

“Now is the time for Albertans to share their thoughts as to how constituency boundaries should change, through oral or written submissions,” says Justice Myra Bielby, the commission’s chair.

“A review is key to ensuring fair and effective representation for all Albertans.”

With the 2016 federal census setting Alberta’s population at about 4.252 million, the target number of voters per constituency should now be about 48,880 adult citizens. But other factors must be considered in drawing up new or reduced boundaries, officials point out.

Municipal boundaries, geographical features like mountain ranges and rivers, common community interests and other criteria are also involved, they say. Public input is an important consideration as well.

Public hearings will open in 15 communities across the province, and those who wish to speak are asked to register online a week ahead of their session. The commission’s website is www.abebc.ca

Written submissions will also be accepted at that site until Feb. 8.

After completing the hearings, commission staff will review the existing boundaries as well as their names, and present a draft report by the end of May.

Then a follow-up round of public meetings will be held to hear responses to that draft. A final report to the legislature is due at the end of October.

Alberta’s next provincial elections, in the spring of 2019, will be based on the new constituency boundaries.