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Electoral Boundary Commission Review
Status
Endorsed by the NCLGA Membership | Endorsed by the NCLGA Membership - Amended & Endorsed by the UBCM Membership
WHEREAS recent amendments made to the Electoral Boundary Commission Act in 2021 will allow the redrawing of electoral boundaries in British Columbia whereby large geographical areas in the province may be amalgamated due to their lower populations thereby resulting in rural areas being represented by a single Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA); and
AND WHEREAS a lower representation of members in the Legislative Assembly is not in the best interests of rural regions of British Columbia whose remoteness and distinctive character were once carefully enshrined within the Electoral Boundaries legislation which protected 17 rural electoral riding:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the North Central Local Government Association lobby the Electoral Boundary Commission and the Provincial Government to demonstrate equality and fairness by ensuring fair representation of rural and northern communities in the Legislative Assembly where decisions are made that impact all British Columbians, including the rural regions which are resource rich sectors that strengthen the province’s economy for the benefit of all British Columbians.
Actions
Meeting held December 1, 2022 with Hon. Minister Nathan Cullen, Mike Allison (Communications Director), Scott Andrews (Ministerial Advisor), Alanah Connie (Senior Public Affairs Officer), Tara Faganello (Assistant Deputy Minister), Quinn MacTavish (Executive Assistant), Okenge Yuma Morisho (Deputy Minister)
During discussion on Resolutions L1 and L4, the following comments were offered:
I was an advocate for the status quo. There was some concern from the opposition that we had taken away the protection provision. I have a faith in the impossible task of the Commissioners to draw up the map.
Acknowledgement of concern voiced from the public regarding vote dilution and rural BC having net fewer votes. Every vote in rural BC is three times the vote in urban and suburban BC. There are guidelines in the way elections are set up, and every vote should count equally, while recognizing the difficulty in representation.