New federal electoral boundaries have been proposed in B.C. meaning residents will have the chance to share their views at public meetings across the province this fall.
Of the events announced July 3, the nearest chances Coasters will have to share their input are in North Vancouver, Sept. 10, and in Squamish, Sept. 11. Comments can also be made by email or mail.
Changes proposed affect the West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky riding. Possible alterations included shifting parts of the Powell River Regional District and Texada Island to the Vancouver Island North constituency.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission (FEBC) announced that all told, the province was set to gain six electoral districts. Census figures showed a population increase of almost 13 per cent in B.C. during 2001 to 2011 (492,319 residents).
"High population growth was noted between the North Shore and Chilliwack, on Vancouver Island, in the Okanagan and the Kam-loops area," noted FEBC British Columbia chair John Hall. "These changes have prompted us to make substantial adjustments to the boundary lines in these regions."
Written submissions are being accepted until Oct. 18. Email comments were being received at [email protected] as well as by post, at the FEBC's B.C. office at 1095 West Pender St., Vancouver, V6E 2M6.
West Vancouver - Sun-shine Coast - Sea to Sky member of Parliament John Weston said the addition of six ridings could bode well for the province.
"Ever since I worked in the premier's office years ago, I've seen B.C. has had to work twice as hard to get its voice heard in the capital," said Weston, who added that his riding was expected to be a priority, having boasted the largest population among the province's federal constituencies.
"It's really the classic wonderful Canadian riding as it now stands," he said.
