For the first time in nearly a decade, Northern BC’s provincial electoral district boundaries could be at risk of changing in 2022.
Restrictions put in place in 2014 protecting northern districts which fall below the population criteria have now been removed.
Current legislation directs the Electoral Boundaries Commission to recommend each riding be within 25 percent of the average district population, unless necessary to provide effective representation.
For 2022, that average comes in at 57,000, putting just 2 of the North’s 9 Districts within the criteria’s range, leaving the rest at risk of being merged.
If the Northcoast and Skeena Districts were to be merged, the resulting district would be home to roughly 52,000 people over a massive 175,000 square kilometre area.
Residents have until May 31st to provide input to influence this year’s boundary changes, with the Commission holding consultations in the north this week.
Consultations will be held at the Massett Community Hall at noon today (Tues, Apr 26th), at the Crest Hotel in Prince Rupert at 10:00 tomorrow morning, and at the Best Western in Terrace at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon.
Those who are unable to attend a meeting in person can view the information online at this link and send the Commission feedback through this link.
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