Loading articles...

Report recommends provinical electoral boundaries changes for Fort McMurray and area

Last Updated Oct 20, 2017 at 5:23 am MDT

A report is recommending that Alberta’s next provincial election should be fought on a new political map that includes more urban ridings and less rural ones, to make communicating with MLA’s easier for constituents.

The 2016 federal census shows the riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin has a population of 26,309, which is 48 per cent below the provincial average.

The report suggests based on population of the constituencies, the riding of Fort McMurray-Conklin should now include Lac La Biche.

This would increase the population to 44,166 which is six per cent below the provincial average population.

In addition, the Buffalo Lake and Kikino Métis settlements along with the White Fish First Nation reserve would also move into this riding so they can remain with the other reserves and settlements in the area.

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo will have a population of 41,420, 12 per cent below the provincial average.

To facilitate these changes, the boundaries of the constituencies will follow Thickwood Boulevard rather than the Athabasca River.

Justice Myra Bielby, the commission’s chairwoman, says the recommendations are meant to ensure effective representation of voters in the legislature.

The report by the Electoral Boundaries Commission will now go to the legislature for a vote.