Kootenay East name and boundary changes proposed
The BC Electoral Boundaries Commission has released its final report on proposed changes to the province’s electoral boundaries, and some changes are being recommended for two local ridings.
The group is suggesting changing the name of the Kootenay East riding to Kootenay Rockies, it also plans to shift Wycliffe and St. Mary’s Lake to the Columbia River-Revelstoke riding.
Commissioner Linda Tynan says moving Wycliffe and the area around St. Mary’s Lake from its current riding would help balance population levels in Columbia River-Revelstoke.
“It’s those western outskirts of Cranbrook that are moving into the Columbia [River]-Revelstoke riding,” Tynan says. “That was necessary to balance the population and increase the population in that Columbia [River]-Revelstoke riding.”
Proposed changes could be in place by the next provincial election pending government approval, plans also call for for BC to grow from 87 ridings to 93.
The group created its report following months of consultation throughout the province.
The BC government will have the final on any proposed changes after digesting the group’s report.
View a statement from the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission and find a link to their report and maps of the proposed changes to BC’s electoral boundaries below:
The BC Electoral Boundaries Commission has published its final report with recommendations to the Legislative Assembly for changing British Columbia’s provincial electoral districts.
The Commission’s recommendations include a proposal to create six additional electoral districts in areas of rapid population growth, bringing the total number of provincial ridings to 93 from the current 87.
“Our proposal to increase the number of electoral districts reflects our growing province,” said Justice Nitya Iyer, chair of the Commission. “We do not recommend reducing the number of ridings in more sparsely populated areas of the province because doing so would undermine effective representation.”
The Commission recommends adjustments to the boundaries of 72 electoral districts and changes to 41 electoral district names based on the geographic, demographic, and communication and transportation considerations set out in the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act.
“We learned a great deal from our initial and final public consultations,” said Iyer. “In total, we held 63 public meetings in 44 communities and received more than 2,000 submissions. We wish to thank wholeheartedly the many British Columbians who took the time to share their views with us. Your input was invaluable in shaping our understanding of our complex and diverse province.”
The publication of the final report marks the end of the Commission’s process. It is now the responsibility of the Legislative Assembly to decide whether to accept all, some or none of the Commission’s recommendations.
Learn more:
- View the Commission’s final report and proposed boundaries: www.bcebc.ca
- View an interactive map with current and proposed electoral boundaries: https://bcebc.ca/2022-final-electoral-division-names-populations-and-deviations/?step=map-all
– Linda Tynan – Commissioner, BC Electoral Boundaries Commission
