Federal ridings in city would see shifts under proposed changes

With a small shakeup in the cities, particularly in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan's new federal riding map is proposed to look slightly more urban.

The proposed change in ridings, released earlier this month by the boundaries commission, will likely maintain the province's status as a blue fortress, but the left-leaning NDP may have a shot at taking newly proposed Saskatoon-centre, according to a political-science professor. Daniel Westlake with the University of Saskatchewan said the new urban riding in Saskatoon would become more competitive for the NDP because it would represent more left-leaning neighbourhoods.

The riding would be enclosed by Circle Drive, including the neighbourhoods of Nutana, downtown, Riversdale and Holliston. The university district wouldn't be included.

“If I look at just the boundaries for Saskatoon-centre, those are probably as favourable as you can make them for the NDP,” Westlake said in an interview Tuesday. “Now that isn't to say that these were drawn to benefit the NDP.”

While Regina is seeing some slight changes, Westlake expects left-leaning parties will continue to face a challenge in potentially again winning the city's urban seats.

Regina-wascana was Liberal in 2015 and Regina-lewvan went NDP that year, but both were won handily by the Conservatives in 2019 and 2021. “There's clearly potential for non-conservative parties to win, but it's hard for them,” Westlake said. “I think it would be a challenge.”

The boundaries commission, which is non-partisan and operates independently, re-examines ridings every 10 years.

The goal is to ensure the system best represents voters by reflecting increases in population for certain regions. It also takes into consideration communities of interest or identity, as well as historic and geographic factors. The commission strives for each riding to represent roughly 81,000 people.

Over the next two months, it's holding 15 public hearings about the proposed changes. The first one in Saskatoon will take place June 20 and the first in Regina will occur July 5. More information can be found at redistribution2022.ca.

Following the hearings, the commission will then draw a final version of the map, which will then go to Parliament for approval.

CARVING OUT SASKATOON

Saskatoon is seeing the biggest change in the newly proposed map. The new district of Saskatoon-centre is mainly made up of inner city neighbourhoods within Circle Drive.

The formation of Saskatoon-centre meant the commission had to split Saskatoon-west and slightly grow Saskatoon-university.

As a result, the commission has proposed the creation of Saskatoon-wanuskewin, which includes parts of Lawson Heights, the industrial area, and the communities of Martensville, Warman and Humboldt.

It has proposed Saskatoon- Grasswood become more suburban, representing neighbourhoods west of Confederation Mall and the southeast neighbourhoods of Lakeview and Lakeridge. This riding would also encompass smaller communities just south of the city.

SHIFTS IN REGINA

Changes to the Regina map aren't as dramatic as those in Saskatoon, though there are some smaller shifts.

The riding of Regina- Qu'appelle would become smaller in size. The riding would no longer cover the Ituna and Wynard area but still encompass the communities of White City, Emerald Park, Fort Qu'appelle and Indian Head. To make up for the smaller footprint, it has proposed it include northern city neighbourhoods of Walsh Acres, Normanview, Regent Park, and parts of Lakeridge. In doing so, Regina-qu'appelle would take a bite out of Regina-lewvan.

This means Regina-lewvan would grow slightly in size, particularly out west by encompassing some farms on the outskirts. However, it would gain downtown and the southern tip of North Central.

It has proposed Regina-wascana shrink slightly. Instead of covering farms on the southeastern outskirts, the riding would instead stop at Regina's east-end neighbourhoods. As a result, it would lose downtown to Regina-lewvan.

RURAL RIDING SHAKEUPS

The commission is proposing to re-jig the ridings of Carlton Trail– Eagle Creek and Moose Jaw–lake Centre–lanigan. It has proposed to create a strictly rural riding called Kindersley-rosetown, which includes the communities of Outlook and Davidson.

It has proposed Moose Jaw be placed in the Moose Jaw-swift Current- Grasslands riding, which runs west from the city to the province's western border. Communities southwest of Regina, including Pense and Wilcox, as well as the southeast cities of Estevan and Weyburn, would be in the Sourismoose Mountain riding.

The northern riding of Desnethé–missinippi–churchill River is proposed to become slightly smaller in size by no longer covering Prince Albert National Park.