Come the next federal election, Drumheller might be in a different electoral district, judging by the proposed new boundaries.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission has proposed a new electoral map for consideration. With it Drumhellerm may no longer be in the Battle River-Crowfoot Constituency, represented by Damien Kurek, but in the Bow River Constituency, currently represented by Martin Shields. The Commission is looking for feedback from residents.
“To give Albertans more time to participate in the process, the Commission has extended the deadline to request to make a representation at a public hearing to August 15 instead of July 31. We look forward to hearing from the public," said the Honourable Justice Bruce McDonald, chair of the three-member Commission. Donald Barry and Donna Wilson are the other members responsible for the readjustment of the province's federal electoral boundaries.
Every 10 years, 10 Electoral Boundary Commissions are struck to report on the readjustment of the representation of the provinces in the House of Commons to reflect changes in population in each province. Alberta’s population has increased from 3,645,257 in 2011 to 4,262,635, and they are proposing adding three seats to the province to reflect this growth.
This means the commission is charged with redrawing the boundaries into 37 electoral divisions that have reasonably equal population representation. Each division has a quota of 115,206 and cannot deviated by more than 25 per cent.
According to the report, “The southern boundary of the Battle River—Crowfoot electoral district is proposed to be moved north to follow the southern limits of Paintearth County No. 18 and Special Area No. 4, and to proceed along Highway 589. The proposed northern boundary is, for the most part, defined by the Yellowhead Highway. The municipalities of Lloydminster and Vegreville are to be located within the electoral district of Battle River—Crowfoot.”
Similarly, “the boundaries of the Bow River electoral district are proposed to be moved north and east to the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. A number of communities currently in the Bow River electoral district are proposed to be reassigned to other electoral districts. Chestermere, Beiseker and Irricana are proposed to be reassigned to the new Airdrie—Chestermere electoral district, with the Town of Vulcan being moved into the electoral district of Foothills. On the other hand, proposed to be added to the electoral district of Bow River are the following centres: Drumheller, Hanna, Innisfail, Bowden, Oyen, Three Hills, Youngtown, Trochu, Barons, Nobleford and Picture Butte.”
Public hearings are scheduled through September and October in Alberta to solicit feedback on the proposals.
Those wishing to make a presentation at a hearing, send a notice to the Commission no later than August 15, 2022 by mailing it to the Commission's office at:
PO Box 45062
Calgary AB,
T2G 4X3
or, emailing:
AB@redecoupage-
federal-redistribution.ca
