Resolutions Search
Proposed Electoral Area Boundary Changes
Status
Endorsed by the NCLGA Membership
WHEREAS the B.C. Electoral Boundaries Commission will be considering population growth, demographics and geography along with size, shape and boundaries of B.C.’s electoral districts and potentially change the size or number of electoral districts;
AND WHEREAS Members of Legislative Assembly are challenged to cover the huge distances in the Peace Region, sometimes in adverse weather conditions, to meet with constituents about issues unique to the Peace including rural and remote health care, restrictions on backcountry snowmobile usage, caribou habitat recovery initiatives, hydro-electric dams, hunting regulations, the impact of old growth forest policies and water licensing:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the North Central Local Government Association and the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the Province of BC not to reduce the number of Members of Legislative Assembly in the NCLGA Boundaries.
Actions
Not admitted for debate at UBCM convention.
Meeting held December 1, 2022 with Hon. Minister Nathan Cullen, Mike Allison (Communications Director), Scott Andrews (Ministerial Advisor), Alanah Connie (Senior Public Affairs Officer), Tara Faganello (Assistant Deputy Minister), Quinn MacTavish (Executive Assistant), Okenge Yuma Morisho (Deputy Minister)
During discussion on Resolutions L1 and L4, the following comments were offered:
I was an advocate for the status quo. There was some concern from the opposition that we had taken away the protection provision. I have a faith in the impossible task of the Commissioners to draw up the map.
Acknowledgement of concern voiced from the public regarding vote dilution and rural BC having net fewer votes. Every vote in rural BC is three times the vote in urban and suburban BC. There are guidelines in the way elections are set up, and every vote should count equally, while recognizing the difficulty in representation.
(Note: Sponsors are noted alphabetically, for any resolution with more than one sponsor)