DAN ALBAS: Changes to our federal electoral riding boundaries would impact many of our local electoral regions

 

In February, I reported that the proposed changes to our federal electoral riding boundaries would impact many of our local electoral regions, including Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola.

 

At that time, I pointed out that portions of our existing riding could end up in five different British Columbia ridings.

 

Princeton, Keremeos, Cawston and Hedley would join the proposed riding of Similkameen-West Kootenay, including the city of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band.

 

Summerland, Peachland, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, and parts of Kelowna will become part of a new proposed riding called Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna. Merritt and Logan Lake would become part of a new riding called Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola.

 

Other riding changes will affect riding boundaries in the rest of the Okanagan Valley and beyond.

 

After that initial proposal was drafted, there was an opportunity for Members of Parliament to submit feedback and recommendations on these changes to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission.

 

From past experience, the input from Members of Parliament does not often result in significant changes, given that it is not uncommon for this input to include political considerations.

 

Also, it must be recognized that the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission faces a challenge in balancing population growth combined with a long list of other community and geographical considerations.

 

This time the revised report from the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission did include some revisions based upon input from Members of Parliament.

 

While these changes would potentially be enacted at different ridings around Canada, my report today will focus on the proposed revised changes for our region.

 

In Similkameen–South Okanagan–West Kootenay (the proposed new name for this riding), some communities northeast of Castlegar in the Slocan Valley will be re-attached from Columbia–Kootenay–Southern Rockies, while Trail and the communities near it will be exchanged meaning this riding will gain more of Castlegar but will not have Trail within the riding boundary.

 

Trail instead will be located in the proposed riding of Columbia–Kootenay–Southern Rockies along with some other smaller nearby communities; however, it would not include Revelstoke.

 

It should also be noted that Parliament must still ratify these final proposed changes. If a snap election were called this Fall before these changes were adopted, the current (existing) riding boundaries would be used.

 

My thoughts on these changes? 

 

There is seldom a proposed solution to riding boundary changes that will please everyone. Aside from regional considerations that are very important in rural areas, accommodating every point of view is not always possible.

 

I have also observed that elected officials often suggest removing specific communities or including others that often align with their political objectives.

 

For this reason, I refrain from commenting on proposed changes and ensure that the voices of affected residents are heard. The information that I hear back from local citizens is then shared with the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission in a non-partisan manner

 

My question to you this week: Do you think elected officials should have a more decisive say on proposed electoral riding changes, or do you favour the current, largely independent process? Why or why not?

 

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll-free 1-800-665-8711.