The public comment period on proposed changes to B.C.’s provincial electoral districts recently wrapped up, changes which include the ridings of Delta North and Delta South.
The BC Electoral Boundaries Commission this October released its preliminary report, recommending the creation of six new provincial ridings and changes to the boundaries of many existing electoral districts.
The total number of seats would increase to 93 from the current 87.
The commission notes that under the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, an electoral boundaries commission must be appointed after every second provincial election to review and propose changes to provincial electoral districts in B.C.
If approved by the Legislative Assembly, the proposed boundaries will be used for the next two provincial elections.
The proposed changes include part of the Delta North provincial electoral district being moved to the Delta South district.
The preliminary report recommends moving the area south of 64th Avenue out of the Delta North, currently held by the NDP’s Ravi Kahlon, into Delta South, which is currently held by Liberal MLA Ian Paton.
“This will distribute the populations of these two ridings more evenly and create room for anticipated population growth in Delta North,” the report explains. “Delta South includes Ladner, Tsawwassen, Parkdale Gardens, Boundary Bay and agricultural lands. Moving the area south of 64th Avenue into this riding keeps the area around Watershed Memorial Park in one electoral district.”
There’s been little to no negative feedback on the proposes change, so far.
The commission’s final report must be submitted to the Legislative Assembly by April 3, 2023.
The Legislative Assembly will then decide whether to accept all, some or none of the commission’s recommendations.
The preliminary report can be viewed at https://bcebc.ca/
