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 Best Western in Terrace at 3:30 in the afternoon, and at the Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge in Smithers at noon tomorrow.
Those unable to attend a meeting in person can also join a virtual consultation being held on May 3rd, via Zoom.
A full schedule and link to the virtual meeting can be found here, and you can follow this link to provide feedback online.
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