After each 10-year census, the Federal Government and Elections Canada set up independent commissions in every province to review, recommend and adjust riding boundaries to reflect a combination of population shifts and important social-economic ties between local communities.
In the upcoming 2015 general election, British Columbia will gain an additional six seats, for a total of 42. This change will generate boundary changes to every riding in our province.
Based on the current recommendation, a portion of the south-west corner of Saanich-Gulf Islands will move to the renamed riding of Esquimalt-Colwood.
Specifically, those living south of McKenzie Avenue, west of Quadra Street down to Cook Street, then west of Cook Street, north of Tolmie Avenue, east of Douglas Street to Tattersall Drive, southeast of Tattersall Drive to Patricia Bay Highway, and east of Patricia Bay Highway, are affected.
The next stage of this process will be a series of hearings, being held across the province by the independent commission from September 10th to October 18th. This includes one near the riding at the Victoria Conference Centre on October 17th at 7pm.
Anyone may make a presentation before the commission, offering their opinion of the proposed changes. To do so, written notice must be given to the commission no later than August 30th.
For more information on the independent commission, the proposed riding boundary changes or the upcoming hearings:
- Online: http://bit.ly/bc-redistribution
- Phone: 1-855-747-7236
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: 1095 West Pender Street, Suite 301, Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6