It appears the Electoral Boundaries Commission has reacted to some of the concerns raised about the new constituency boundaries, however many still feel it penalizes rural communities.
The Commission released its final report on Thursday, October 19. Working within the confines of 87 seats, it created three new ridings, including Airdrie–Cochrane, Calgary-North East, and Edmonton-South, while eliminating three in rural areas.
Drumheller-Stettler saw some changes although not as drastic as first presented in the Interim Report.
“I am pleased that it would appear in the initial blush that it is going to be more related to the area that it serves,” said MLA for Drumheller-Stettler Rick Strankman.
The Interim Report released in May showed a map that included Strathmore within the riding but eliminated Stettler. The final report shows Strathmore included in the Chestermere-Strathmore riding and Stettler and surrounding area was returned to the riding.
According to the report, “Submitters viewed the suburban nature of the Town of Strathmore as so significantly different than the rural and tourism base in Drumheller that they should not be placed in the same constituency.”
Strankman agrees.
“In the past, Strathmore really didn’t have a lot to do with Oyen for example,” said Strankman. “I had mentioned to the Electoral Boundary Commission when they were over in Brooks, it is not up to them to predict the population patterns or trends, but it is up to them to be cognizant of electoral boundaries, whether they be MDs or counties, or Special Areas. They are more inclusive of trading patterns.”
The changes also significantly make changes to the number of residents within the riding. The Interim Report showed a population of 54,232, this is up from the previous population of 36,810 and 16 per cent over the provincial average of 46,698. The new riding will have a population of 41,535, this time 11 per cent below the average population size.
Strankman acknowledges the challenges.
“It is difficult, I imagine you can’t make everyone happy all of the time,” he said.
The Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills Riding, currently represented by Nathan Cooper, also saw changes. The riding has been expanded to include the northern portion of Wheatland County, which was in the Brooks-Strathmore Riding. This encompasses Hussar, Standard, Rosebud and Rockyford.
With this change, the population of the riding would be 49,418, about six per cent above the provincial average population size.
The United Conservative Party issued a press release stating the study misses the mark.
“While this report has made some changes to riding sizes and boundaries, it continues to miss the mark by placing too large of a value on population, rather than striking the right balance to ensure effective representation,” said interim party leader Nathan Cooper.
The changes, according to a press release were almost entirely based on public feedback. The commission received 1,358 written submissions and hundreds of oral presentations. More than 30 public hearings across the province were held.
