Residents in Alberta are going to have to pay closer attention come the next federal election. The federal electoral boundaries will be changing for the 2015 federal election.
Most of Alberta has been reworked to bring the electoral districts closer to the quota of 107,213 citizens.
The Constitution of Canada requires federal electoral districts be reviewed after each 10 year census. The review accounts for changes and movements in Canada’s population.
The process for the next federal election began earlier this year. The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Alberta was established on March 26 this year.
The commission has added six new ridings to Alberta, bringing Alberta’s representation in the House of Commons to 34 MPs. One riding was added in northern Alberta, two in Edmonton, two in Calgary, and one in Southern Alberta.
In the Drumheller area, which has been dominated by the Crowfoot riding since 2002/2003. The Crowfoot riding borders the eastern edge of Calgary, follows Highway 1 and the Red Deer River to the Saskatchewan border. To the north, Crowfoot begins north of Camrose, proceeds south until it hits the Battle River, follows the river until it turns north, where it then runs southeast to the border.
The new Battle River riding starts in its northeastern corner at the intersection of the Saskatchewan border and the Municipal District of Wainright and proceeds northwesterly to the eastern limit of Beaver County. The border then proceeds generally southwesterly to the eastern edge of Leduc County, where it turns generally south to Highway 582 and the western edge of Kneehill County.
From there the Battle River riding proceeds east along Highway 582 and Highway 27, until it hits the left bank of the Red Deer River, southerly along the bank to the western limit of Drumheller. The border continues to follow the river to the western limit of Special Area No. 2, generally southeasterly until the easterly limit of Special Area No. 2, then north to the northerly limit of Special Area No 4., and then east to the Saskatchewan border.
Drumheller would be included in the new Battle River riding. However, Wheatland County, which had hithero been part of the Crowfoot riding, would be part of the new Bow River riding.
In September, the commission will gather feedback from residents about the proposed adjustments. The commission will be holding public meetings throughout the province.
The commission will be appearing at the Strathmore Travelodge on Tuesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.
For more about the changes visit http://www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca.
