Back to the drawing board

Islanders able to give input on new electoral boundaries until Thursday, April 20

“It was more important than ever for people to come and make their case known to the commission because there will not be another forum.” Commission chairman Gerard Mitchell

Islanders still have a little time to share their thoughts on how P.E.I.’s electoral boundaries should be re-drawn.

The Electoral Boundaries Commission finished its public meetings last week, with Islanders having until Thursday, April 20, at 5 p.m. to submit written recommendations.

The commission is re-drawing the 27 districts to make for greater voter representation and is required to present its recommendations to the legislative assembly by Tuesday, June 6.

Commission chairman Gerard Mitchell said the meetings held across the Island have provided great input into

the process.

“Every (meeting) we’ve had, we’ve gained some valuable information,” said Mitchell, noting that it was important to hear from Islanders since the commission’s decision is binding.

“It was more important than ever for people to come and make their case known to the commission because there will not be another forum.”

The last time P.E.I.’s electoral boundaries were changed was in 2006. The province is required to review those boundaries every three provincial elections.

Currently, P.E.I. has at least a dozen districts that could be considered too large or too small, said Mitchell.

Although the aim is to make all 27 districts include about 3,698 electors, the group also has to take other factors into account, including public input and population trends.

Gary McLeod, P.E.I.’s chief electoral officer, made a suggestion during one of the meeting at East Wiltshire Intermediate in Cornwall. He said Elections P.E.I. has received a number of complaints from Islanders who live in a different district than their neighbours across the street.

“One of the things I’d ask that you look at when boundaries are being designed is could we possibly incorporate an entire street within a boundary,” said McLeod. “I know it’s challenging to draw a map that way but it would certainly keep communities and some areas of interest together.”

The commission also has to take other factors into account, including Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, data from the registrar of elector, geographical features, municipal boundaries and communities of interest.

MITCH MACDONALD/THE GUARDIAN Gerard Mitchell, chairman of the Electoral Boundaries Commission, speaks during one of the commission’s meetings seeking public at East Wiltshire. Next to Mitchell is commissioner Lynn Murray.

MITCH MACDONALD/THE GUARDIAN Gary McLeod, P.E.I.’s chief electoral officer, brings up the issue of whether it would be possible to incorporate an entire street within an electoral boundary when the province’s 27 districts are redrawn.