The Commission's Decisions – British Columbia
After the public hearings completed and the time for written submissions closed, the Commission reviewed the many thoughtful presentations and suggestions it had received.
Two issues figured most prominently in the public submissions: whether a major waterway should be crossed within an electoral district, and whether a municipality as a whole should be situated within an electoral district.
Advice also touched on other subjects. Of particular note were submissions on:
- the maintenance of existing electoral boundaries;
- the division of communities and neighbourhoods;
- the number of Members of Parliament representing one community;
- the number of communities represented by one Member of Parliament;
- the significance of municipal and regional district boundaries;
- the importance of highway access;
- the accessibility of coastal communities;
- the accessibility of public transit;
- the accessibility to a Member of Parliament for ombudsman-style assistance;
- differences in socio-economic conditions within electoral districts;
- differences in socio-economic conditions among electoral districts;
- projected population growth;
- communities of interest;
- the importance of achieving the electoral quota;
- the mixing of urban and rural residents; and
- the provision of service to districts of vast size.
The Commission has found the comments on the Proposal, the issues of importance to the presenters, and the alternative ideas for location of boundaries provided in the consultation stage, to be of great assistance in its deliberations.
The Commission's collective knowledge of British Columbia was enhanced by the hearing process and travel to the hearing locations. The Commission has endeavoured to incorporate much of the advice it received into the design of the electoral boundaries proposed in this Report. In particular, it has searched for alternatives to river crossings and the division of communities. While not all the submissions could be reflected here, all have been considered, and so the Report provides significant modifications to the Proposal canvassed in the public hearings. The Commission acknowledges the collective assistance that the public has provided.
In this Report, the Commission makes substantial proposed changes to the configuration of electoral districts outlined in its earlier Proposal. Bearing in mind the imperative of effective representation while seeking to minimize variation within a region, these changes are made:
- to further recognize communities of interest;
- to minimize the division of municipalities and neighbourhoods;
- to minimize disrupting river crossings within an electoral district;
- to promote greater access within an electoral district; and
- to maintain historical patterns of association.
Along with these proposed boundary changes, the Report renames electoral districts, where it deems appropriate.
In this Report, the additional 43rd electoral district is allocated to the Southern Interior. Remembering that the province's electoral quota is 116,300, the proposed regional allocation of electoral districts in British Columbia and the average number of residents per electoral district in each region is set out in the table below.
| Region | Number of Electoral Districts | Average Population of Electoral Districts in the Region |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Island | 7 | 123,052 |
| The Lower Mainland Fraser Valley | 26 | 117,126 |
| The North | 3 | 107,937 |
| The Southern Interior | 7 | 110,063 |
This Report sets out, in the next four sections, information on the proposed new set of electoral districts and an explanation of the resulting major boundary alterations. Those sections are followed by a table of all the proposed electoral districts, showing their names, population numbers and variances.
Vancouver Island
Regional Average Population 123,052
| Electoral District | Population | Variance from Electoral Quota (116,300) |
|---|---|---|
| Courtenay—Alberni | 122,753 | 5.55% |
| Cowichan—Malahat—Langford | 124,115 | 6.72% |
| Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke | 120,170 | 3.33% |
| Nanaimo—Ladysmith | 122,857 | 5.64% |
| North Island—Powell River | 125,840 | 8.20% |
| Saanich—Gulf Islands | 122,147 | 5.03% |
| Victoria | 123,482 | 6.18% |
For the purposes of this Report, Vancouver Island's electoral districts include Powell River, a community that was added to Vancouver Island's northern electoral district in 2012 to form North Island—Powell River.
Vancouver Island is represented by seven Members of Parliament. Its population has grown over the past 10 years, and done so unevenly, leading to an average electoral district population in the region over the province's quota. While the Commission has not increased the Island's number of electoral districts, for the reason stated above, it considers that in the interests of voter parity significant discrepancies in population among certain electoral districts must result in some boundary adjustments to reduce the variations among districts. The result is a set of electoral districts on Vancouver Island with minimal regional variation in population.
Two areas are currently in particular need of some reconfiguration to be faithful to the Commission's task. These are the boundaries affecting the mid-Island, a matter that has ripple effects on the neighbouring electoral districts, and the appropriate electoral boundaries within the Saanich Peninsula. The area of highest provincial growth, the City of Langford in the current Cowichan—Malahat—Langford electoral district, is fortunately within a district that has been able to absorb the increase without greatly exceeding the regional average, and, accordingly, that electoral district has only minor changes, consistent with public suggestions. The Commission has agreed with submissions that the existing boundaries of the Victoria electoral district should remain unchanged.
The mid-Island area presents particular challenges for existing Nanaimo—Ladysmith and its neighbouring districts. Nanaimo—Ladysmith has experienced high population growth, and the City of Nanaimo is a major trading and service centre, creating a strong community of interest in the region. Yet the population of Nanaimo—Ladysmith is the highest on Vancouver Island, and the interests of parity and proper weight for the constituents' votes require a response to bring the population more into conformity with the other Island electoral districts.
Geography allows only two solutions: moving the southern boundary northward, so as to assign residents in Nanaimo—Ladysmith to Cowichan—Malahat—Langford, or moving the northern boundary southward to assign residents in Nanaimo—Ladysmith to current Courtenay—Alberni. The southern-boundary alternative would have a domino effect around the Malahat area more disruptive than the northern-boundary alternative. The Proposal had redrawn the northern boundary of Nanaimo—Ladysmith to assign Lantzville and the adjoined area of north Nanaimo to Courtenay—Alberni. The Commission received many comments questioning this concept and stressing the strong ties that Lantzville and the Nanaimo area have with the remainder of the present electoral district. Presenters asked that the City of Nanaimo be kept whole. The Commission has considered these concerns, but is ultimately of the view that the proposed alteration represents the most appropriate response to the district's current divergence from quota. The Commission agrees with the suggestion that an area of Nanaimo in the Brannen Lake vicinity, which was proposed to be included in Courtenay—Alberni, should remain in Nanaimo—Ladysmith, and it now proposes to adjust the Courtenay—Alberni and Nanaimo—Ladysmith boundary to more closely follow the Nanaimo city boundary in this area.
Assignment of Lantzville and the adjoined area of north Nanaimo to Courtenay—Alberni has a ripple effect, giving Courtenay—Alberni an unduly large population. In turn, this required the Commission to examine Courtenay—Alberni's northern boundary with current North Island—Powell River. That present boundary divides the three neighbouring municipalities of Cumberland, Courtenay and Comox by including Comox within North Island—Powell River, at present the most sparsely populated electoral district of Vancouver Island. In response to the ripple effect created by reducing the Nanaimo—Ladysmith population, the Commission had proposed dividing Courtenay at the natural boundary of the Courtenay River, joining the eastern portion of Courtenay with Comox in North Island—Powell River and keeping the western portion within Courtenay—Alberni. The Commission appreciated that this proposed change would be controversial, and so it has been.
At public hearings and in written submissions, residents questioned assigning the City of Courtenay to two electoral districts. Some presenters acknowledged the need to address the large divergence of population in Nanaimo—Ladysmith from the quota, and suggested that population room in the mid to north Island districts could be created by transferring Powell River to an electoral district on the Mainland. The suggestion to transfer Powell River to a Mainland electoral district provoked a number of submissions from residents of Powell River, resisting the idea and commenting positively on Powell River's current placement in North Island—Powell River.
The Commission is conscious of the concerns expressed regarding the division of the City of Courtenay, and it has searched for alternatives to address the effects of population growth mid-Island. The Commission has concluded that Powell River is now best located in partnership with North Island, where it shares a coastal community of interest with Island communities, including its optimum transportation alternatives. The Commission has also concluded that it is not practical to keep Courtenay wholly within either of the districts. Without the boundary change within Courtenay, Courtenay—Alberni is unable to absorb population from Nanaimo—Ladysmith, and the alternative of smoothing Nanaimo—Ladysmith's over-quota population by changing that district's southern boundaries is more disruptive.
The other area in this region requiring significant reconfiguration is the Saanich Peninsula. The census showed high population in current Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, deviating considerably from both the electoral quota and the regional average. It also showed population below the electoral quota in the existing Saanich—Gulf Islands district.
The Commission had proposed to smooth out this imbalance by transferring a greater portion of the District Municipality of Saanich into Saanich—Gulf Islands. This change would affect only residents in the District Municipality of Saanich. In the public hearings and in written submissions, presenters questioned the location of the boundaries on the Saanich Peninsula, but did not generally oppose the change in principle. After reviewing the submissions and examining again the Proposal's location of the boundaries, the Commission affirms the boundaries described in the Proposal.
The Lower Mainland Fraser Valley
Regional Average Population 117,126
| Electoral District | Population | Variance from Electoral Quota (116,300) |
|---|---|---|
| Abbotsford—South Langley | 116,265 | -0.03% |
| Burnaby Central | 120,734 | 3.81% |
| Burnaby North—Seymour | 119,311 | 2.59% |
| Capilano—North Vancouver | 116,055 | -0.21% |
| Chilliwack—Hope | 119,082 | 2.39% |
| Cloverdale—Langley City | 117,050 | 0.64% |
| Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam | 114,460 | -1.58% |
| Delta | 117,734 | 1.23% |
| Fleetwood—Port Kells | 117,423 | 0.97% |
| Howe Sound—West Vancouver | 114,257 | -1.76% |
| Langley Township | 117,251 | 0.82% |
| Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford | 118,415 | 1.82% |
| New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville | 114,665 | -1.41% |
| Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge | 116,916 | 0.53% |
| Port Moody—Coquitlam | 115,367 | -0.80% |
| Richmond Centre—Marpole | 116,380 | 0.07% |
| Richmond East—Steveston | 116,141 | -0.14% |
| South Surrey—White Rock | 118,278 | 1.70% |
| Surrey Centre | 119,724 | 2.94% |
| Surrey Newton | 119,560 | 2.80% |
| Vancouver Arbutus | 117,286 | 0.85% |
| Vancouver Centre | 115,964 | -0.29% |
| Vancouver East | 118,675 | 2.04% |
| Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby | 117,482 | 1.02% |
| Vancouver Kingsway | 116,499 | 0.17% |
| Vancouver West Broadway | 114,291 | -1.73% |
This Report for this region is much changed from the Commission's Proposal in response to thoughtful presentations and submissions received, primarily on the Commission's choice of river crossings and division of municipalities. Making different choices about those matters has had a ripple effect on almost all the region's electoral districts.
The Lower Mainland Fraser Valley is represented by 26 electoral districts. Its population has grown over the past 10 years, filling in population space provided by the 2012 boundaries reconfiguration which left several districts in the region under quota. Some growth has been uneven. The pattern of growth has created considerable gaps in population from district to district and a consequential variance in voting power. The Commission concludes that the large variance in population among the region's districts must be reduced; however, this creates a ripple effect in this region.
Reconfiguration of the Lower Mainland Fraser Valley's electoral boundaries must accommodate the region's dominating physical geographic features, which limit the options for boundary adjustment. Foremost is the Fraser River, the strongest influence on the region's historical pattern and formation of communities of interest. Burrard Inlet, Howe Sound, the Pitt River, and the mountains on the region's north side follow closely behind in setting physical limits on boundary possibilities. They, too, have been influential in establishing the region's historical pattern and the formation of communities of interest.
A key consideration in designing the region's electoral map is the number and location of electoral districts that cross the Fraser River. Two other considerations emerging from the hearings are the number of Members of Parliament per community that will result from the reconfiguration, and the number of communities a Member of Parliament will represent. Maintaining the number of electoral districts at 26, while being faithful to its mandate, the Commission has considered the electoral districts individually, with close attention to the effect of boundary adjustments on representation in neighbouring districts. As with Vancouver Island, the reconfiguration of the electoral map for this region creates a set of electoral districts with minimal variation in population.
In its Proposal, the Commission had addressed the three North Shore electoral districts separately and as a sub-region. On the North Shore and Burrard Inlet, these districts presently encompass the District Municipality of West Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, the District Municipality of North Vancouver, and a northern part of the City of Burnaby. The current West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country district includes, in addition to all West Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound area to Squamish and areas further north to Whistler and Pemberton. Its population is considerably higher than the province's electoral quota. The existing North Vancouver district is more modestly over quota, and the current Burnaby North—Seymour district is under quota. The Commission had proposed, in general terms, moving the district boundaries on the North Shore westward and moving the eastern boundary of Burnaby North—Seymour that is south of Burrard Inlet westward, all to enhance greater conformity of the three electoral districts to the electoral quota. By the Proposal, West Vancouver was divided between two electoral districts.
Many presentations and submissions urged the Commission to maintain the present boundaries of West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country. As was the case for the North Island—Powell River electoral district, Powell River featured here in submissions, with the suggestion that the Commission relinquish the Sunshine Coast from this district and join it to Powell River, presently in the North Island—Powell River electoral district. This suggestion attracted widespread opposition from residents of the Sunshine Coast. Presenters also resisted the location of the previously proposed boundary within West Vancouver, saying that it unreasonably split a key, historic municipal neighbourhood. Other presenters spoke to the importance of parity of voting power and supported the Proposal.
Aware of the concerns expressed, the Commission concludes that decreasing the population of the district is necessary, and it views dividing West Vancouver as the most advantageous decision, given the limitations of the physical geography and the population distribution of the area. The Commission concludes that the concept set out in the Proposal is the only fair and appropriate resolution to the electoral district's high population. In response to the submissions questioning the placement of the boundary on 15th Street, the Commission proposes that it be moved somewhat westward to follow 21st Street from the Upper Levels Highway to Burrard Inlet.
In setting the other boundaries on the North Shore, the Commission has generally kept to its previous proposal of moving boundaries westward, while accepting certain suggestions, such as using the boundary of the City of North Vancouver to demarcate the western boundary of Burnaby North—Seymour.
Recognizing the altered municipal composition of these electoral districts, the names of West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country and North Vancouver are proposed to be changed to Howe Sound—West Vancouver and Capilano—North Vancouver, respectively.
In its Proposal, the Commission had responded to the combined, significantly under-quota populations of the two current Richmond electoral districts, Richmond Centre and Steveston—Richmond East, and had brought their populations up by adjusting the boundary between them and adding to them a portion of the existing New Westminster—Burnaby and Delta electoral districts. The proposed inclusion of a portion of the City of Delta had required an electoral district to span the south arm of the Fraser River.
Many residents of the municipalities touched by this previous proposal frankly and helpfully questioned it as contrary to historical pattern and community of interest. While the Cities of Richmond and Delta have shared representation in the past, this solution was opposed by presenters on both sides of the Fraser River. So too was the proposed change to include all Annacis Island in a Richmond electoral district.
The Commission has significantly redesigned the districts in this sub-region in response to the public input. The Commission accepts that the south arm of the Fraser River should stand as a natural electoral district boundary between the existing Richmond and Delta electoral districts and that the existing eastern Steveston—Richmond East boundary should not be changed from its current location, thereby keeping Queensborough within its current electoral district.
These changes from the Proposal call for a different solution to add needed population to the current Richmond electoral districts. In submissions, it was suggested that the urban nature of Richmond Centre, the success of Canada Line transportation, and the location of two bridge crossings of the north arm of the Fraser River supported including lands in the historic Vancouver area of Marpole within the existing Richmond Centre district. Crossing the Fraser River is a significant step in the design of an electoral district. The Commission considers that historical patterns of Marpole and Richmond and communities of interest between neighbourhoods are sufficiently strong to support this crossing. The Commission, accordingly, proposes to join Marpole-area lands at the south end of the existing Vancouver Granville electoral district with the current Richmond Centre district. The populations of the two Richmond electoral districts are balanced by adjusting their present boundaries to include more of Steveston and nearby areas in Richmond East. The Commission would name these two Richmond electoral districts Richmond Centre—Marpole and Richmond East—Steveston.
The City of Vancouver has six electoral districts. As a whole, their population growth has not kept pace with the general population growth in the province. The Commission has maintained Vancouver's number of Members of Parliament, but, with the population growth east of Vancouver, the Commission is persuaded that two of the Vancouver electoral districts should span municipal boundaries. The Proposal had this occurring on Vancouver's eastern boundary. With the redesign of existing Richmond Centre to create the proposed Richmond Centre—Marpole electoral district, and with the benefit of thoughtful commentary from residents of Burnaby, the Commission has redrawn the boundaries of Vancouver's electoral districts to emphasize communities of interest and to take advantage of changing transportation opportunities.
The proposed reorganization of a southern area of Vancouver by joining Marpole and Richmond, made possible by strong transportation links across the north arm of the Fraser River, is a companion to the proposed creation of an electoral district called Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby, extending from the southeastern part of the City of Vancouver to the southern part of the City of Burnaby.
Existing Vancouver Centre was the only electoral district in Vancouver with a population significantly over the electoral quota. The Commission had proposed to alter the district's southern boundary to remove an area on the southwestern side of False Creek. The Commission has re-examined the location of the eastern boundary of this change in light of submissions. For population-count reasons, the Commission affirms the boundary set out in the Proposal, except for a modest change, made to keep Granville Island whole.
Prompted by moving the Marpole area out of the existing Vancouver Granville district, the Commission proposes to significantly reorganize the two main electoral districts on the western side of Vancouver, south of False Creek, to form two electoral districts with an east-west orientation. These are named Vancouver West Broadway and Vancouver Arbutus. Current Vancouver East is unchanged from its current electoral district boundaries, and Vancouver Kingsway maintains its boundaries, with minimal change in its southwestern area.
Presentations and submissions urged the Commission to reconsider the number of electoral districts it had previously proposed for lands in the City of Burnaby. Presentations and submissions in neighbouring municipalities also questioned some of the boundaries set out in the Proposal. In response to this public input, the Commission now proposes to significantly redraw the electoral district boundaries affecting Burnaby and surrounding municipalities.
The proposed redesign provides Burnaby with a presence in four electoral districts, a number reduced from the Proposal. The four districts are: one wholly within the City of Burnaby, to be called Burnaby Central; the two referred to earlier, Burnaby North—Seymour and Vancouver Fraserview—South Burnaby; and a reconfigured New Westminster—Burnaby electoral district, newly named New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville. Burnaby Central is created largely from the current electoral district of Burnaby South and an area presently within New Westminster—Burnaby.
A significant feature of the census results is a demonstrated growth of population south of the Fraser River. The Proposal had joined a northwestern area of Surrey to New Westminster and Burnaby in a reconfigured electoral district and Queensborough to a Richmond electoral district. The Proposal had also included a crossing of the Pitt River, affecting the district of Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam. This design did not find favour on either side of the Fraser River or Pitt River. After re-examining the alternatives, the Commission proposes to extensively reconfigure the electoral districts from the Pitt River to Annacis Island and eliminate the proposed crossings of the Fraser River and the Pitt River in this area of the region. Appropriate population levels are maintained by reassigning an area presently in New Westminster—Burnaby to proposed Burnaby Central and by including both Queensborough and lands in Coquitlam, including in the Maillardville area, within the reconfigured New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville district. The inclusions are consistent with historical patterns, access possibilities, and community of interest. With this proposed change, the boundaries of the existing Port Moody—Coquitlam and Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam districts required only adjustment in the Westwood Plateau area for population balance. The Commission notes that the proposed New Westminster—Burnaby—Maillardville, Port Moody—Coquitlam, and Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam electoral districts will be slightly under the province's electoral quota.
Moving east, the hearings and submissions persuaded the Commission that effective representation calls for a different design of electoral districts along the Fraser River than had been proposed previously. The Proposal had suggested an electoral district crossing the Fraser River at the Golden Ears Bridge, to connect communities at the western end of the Fraser Valley, in place of a crossing at the Mission Bridge. This Report returns to using the Mission Bridge as the crossing of the Fraser River, retaining in the main the present boundaries of Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, but with an expansion to the east to add communities up to and including the west side of Mission.
The Proposal had also contemplated redesign of the lesser populated, current electoral districts of Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, Chilliwack—Hope, and Abbotsford, touching on the proposed creation of a reconfigured Southern Interior electoral district.
Considering the expanded population across the entire region, these three existing electoral districts must be reconfigured. Their proposed alterations start with the removal from Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon of certain areas north of the Fraser River: Agassiz, an area of Kent, and the territory extending along the Fraser Canyon to Lillooet and into the Thompson River area. The proposed assignment of these areas is described below. To build up population, a larger portion of the City of Abbotsford is added to the reconfigured district. By this addition, the electoral district will include all the Sumas Prairie, respecting the municipal boundary between the Cities of Chilliwack and Abbotsford on the east, will reach Sumas Way on the west, and will extend south to the international boundary. This proposed electoral district is renamed Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford.
The Proposal had contemplated an electoral district in the Southern Interior extending to Hope. By this Report, Hope remains united with Chilliwack in the current electoral district of Chilliwack—Hope, and is joined by areas of the Fraser Canyon north to the boundary between the Fraser Valley and the Thompson Nicola Regional Districts, Agassiz, and an area of Kent, all presently in Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon.
The two current electoral districts for the City of Abbotsford are significantly reconfigured. The reconfiguration of boundaries within the city to create the proposed Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford district has the effect of reducing population in the current Abbotsford district. At the same time, the electoral district immediately to the west, current Langley—Aldergrove, presently has the highest population in the Lower Mainland Fraser Valley. Both circumstances require a response to bring the districts more into conformity with their neighbours.
Two of the three available boundary adjustments that would reduce the existing Langley—Aldergrove district's significant divergence from quota are not practical: reassigning some of the Township of Langley's population westward will push population towards the fast-growing and over-quota Surrey electoral districts; and the Commission agrees, for the reasons discussed earlier, that relinquishing population northward across the Fraser River is not appropriate at this time. This leaves relinquishing population eastward by crossing the municipal boundary between the City of Abbotsford and the Township. This possibility happily accords with the reduced population in the Abbotsford electoral district created by reconfiguring the proposed Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford district, and it leaves some population room in the current electoral district of Langley—Aldergrove to absorb population from more western electoral districts. While proposing to cross this municipal boundary is not done lightly, the Commission has made this alteration to the boundaries, satisfied that the communities of interest involved support this connection, and the change is consistent with its mandate. The Commission would name this reconfigured electoral district Abbotsford—South Langley.
North of Abbotsford—South Langley is a proposed, newly configured and newly named electoral district, Langley Township. It encompasses a substantial part of the existing Langley—Aldergrove district. In addition to assigning a southern part of the Township to Abbotsford—South Langley, as discussed above, the Commission has used modified boundaries of the current Langley—Aldergrove district to define the new Langley Township district. These modifications are in response to submissions from the public and to even out the populations of electoral districts westward to the Fraser River. Accordingly, a small, northeastern area is moved to the proposed Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford district, and a modestly sized area is added from present Cloverdale—Langley City. More significantly, population room made by the creation of the proposed Abbotsford—South Langley district is taken up by the addition of the City of Surrey's Fraser Heights area, presently in the current Fleetwood—Port Kells district.
The boundaries of the existing Cloverdale—Langley City electoral district are little changed. In addition to adding a small area to the proposed Langley Township district, the Commission has modified the boundaries in the northwest corner. It has also adjusted the boundaries by reassigning small areas of the present districts of Fleetwood—Port Kells and Surrey—Newton.
As part of the ripple effect of the proposed boundary changes made to the east of Fleetwood—Port Kells and the changes required to address the high population to its west, the boundaries of Fleetwood—Port Kells need to be adjusted. So too do the boundaries of its current neighbour, Surrey Centre, a district significantly over quota. Moving the Fraser Heights neighbourhood of Surrey to the proposed Langley Township district created room in Fleetwood—Port Kells to absorb population. The Commission's decision not to cross the Fraser River from New Westminster to Surrey brings the present Surrey Centre district essentially back to its present boundaries, requiring a different solution to bring its population more into conformity with the other districts in the region. The Commission proposes that a boundary adjustment between Surrey Centre and Fleetwood—Port Kells, assigning an area presently within Surrey Centre to Fleetwood—Port Kells, makes the needed population adjustment in a manner consistent with the Commission's mandate, thereby balancing the populations.
To the south of Surrey Centre is the current Surrey—Newton electoral district. It is little changed. Minor alterations absorb a small population from Cloverdale—Langley City and relinquish a small area in its southwest to the present Delta district. The existing South Surrey—White Rock district retains its boundaries except in its northwestern corner, where a small area is added to Delta to balance population.
Coming full circle, and south of the Fraser River, is Delta. On re-examination of the Proposal and consideration of the thoughtful and helpful input received from members of the public, the Commission proposes to maintain the natural boundary of the south arm of the Fraser River between Richmond and Delta. As doing so leaves Delta under quota in a field of over-quota electoral districts to the east, the Commission proposes to alter the present boundary by adding territory located in Surrey.
The North
Regional Average Population 107,937
| Electoral District | Population | Variance from Electoral Quota (116,300) |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo—Prince George | 117,160 | 0.74% |
| Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies | 116,962 | 0.57% |
| Skeena—Bulkley Valley | 89,689 | -22.88% |
The North comprises British Columbia's three most expansive electoral districts: Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies; Cariboo—Prince George; and Skeena—Bulkley Valley. Collectively they cover nearly 70% of the land mass of British Columbia. The largest, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, covering alone nearly 35% of the province, has the greatest variance from quota of all of British Columbia's electoral districts. The Commission acknowledges the practical challenges presented by this size and has made no change to the electoral district's boundaries.
The land mass of the two Prince George centred electoral districts is also great, together covering about 35% of the province's territory. Both districts have had modest population growth over the past ten years and are under quota. Cariboo—Prince George presently includes all of the Cariboo Regional District except the south east area and 100 Mile House, presently in Kamloops–-Thompson–-Cariboo electoral district. As part of the reconfiguration of the Southern Interior, the Cariboo—Prince George district has been expanded, unifying the Cariboo Regional District. With that change, it has become possible to increase the population of Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies by redefining the boundary splitting the City of Prince George by moving it somewhat southward, roughly balancing its population with the population of Cariboo—Prince George.
The Southern Interior
Regional Average Population 110,063
| Electoral District | Population | Variance from Electoral Quota (116,300) |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia—Kootenay—Southern Rockies | 111,712 | -3.94% |
| Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies | 109,218 | -6.09% |
| Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola | 111,707 | -3.95% |
| Kelowna | 105,736 | -9.08% |
| Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna | 106,794 | -8.17% |
| Similkameen—West Kootenay | 116,666 | 0.31% |
| Vernon—Monashee | 108,606 | -6.62% |
The population of the Southern Interior takes account of the unification of the Cariboo Regional District in the present northern electoral district of Cariboo—Prince George, and it includes communities in the Fraser Canyon to Lillooet and along the Thompson River to Cache Creek that are within the existing Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon electoral district.
The addition of British Columbia's 43rd electoral district in the Southern Interior and the current widespread over-quota state of the region's electoral districts has resulted in the Commission proposing extensive changes to all the districts. Notably, lands in the current electoral district of Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola have been assigned to five different electoral districts as part of the redesign and the creation of the additional electoral district (See Map G). In response to the helpful presentations and submissions received from members of the public, the Commission re-examined alternatives to the Proposal for this region. Mindful of community of interest and historical patterns, as well as the geographic realities, the result is a set of electoral districts for this region substantially revised from the Proposal.
The most challenging area for reconfiguration in the Southern Interior is the City of Kamloops and its large trading and service area. The population in that circle significantly exceeds the province's electoral quota, but falls short of the population that would support two electoral districts. The Commission concluded that this divergence from quota needs to be addressed and that the population of the City must be spread into two electoral districts, with each part joining an extended community of smaller populations. In the Commission's Proposal, Kamloops had been divided at the junction of the Trans-Canada and Yellowhead Highways, with the western portion joining with communities to the north and west of Kamloops and the eastern portion joining with communities in the Shuswap and North Okanagan area, stretching east to Revelstoke. Submissions resisted this division and strongly advocated to keep Kamloops whole.
The Commission carefully re-examined the data and maps, conscious of these submissions, seeking to identify a better viable alternative. The Commission ultimately concluded that dividing Kamloops across two electoral districts is the most appropriate response to the large deviation from quota of the present electoral district. Just as dividing Prince George allows for an appropriate degree of representation for the North, the current census population in the Kamloops area requires a design that will allocate the City of Kamloops to two electoral districts represented by two Members of Parliament. The river network and need for contiguity within an electoral district require that one of the electoral districts extend north and west along the North Thompson and Thompson Rivers to Lytton and along the Fraser River to Lillooet. The second electoral district, then, naturally must extend eastward. In response to submissions questioning the previously proposed boundary within Kamloops, the Commission has instead opted for a boundary along 6th Avenue.
The proposed western Kamloops electoral district encompasses parts west of the 6th Avenue boundary to Lillooet, the North Thompson area presently in the Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo district, and areas south to Merritt and Lytton, some of which are within the current district of Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola. Taking advantage of the strong transportation corridor of the Trans-Canada Highway, the proposed eastern district follows the Trans-Canada Highway from Kamloops to the Alberta border. The Commission would name these two new electoral districts Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola and Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies.
The configuration of the proposed Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies district modifies the present electoral district of Kootenay—Columbia. The Commission is persuaded that Kootenay—Columbia's vast size and multiple mountain ranges present unique challenges for access between the Member of Parliament and constituents that can be eased. The creation of Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, including Revelstoke, Golden and parts east, accompanied by a move westward of Kootenay—Columbia's western boundary, accords with this objective. With these proposed changes made, the Commission would name this reconfigured electoral district Columbia—Kootenay—Southern Rockies.
The area from the western boundary of the proposed Columbia—Kootenay—Southern Rockies district west along Highway 3 to the vicinity of Hope is proposed to be named Similkameen—West Kootenay. This new district is very different from the Proposal. It comprises, principally, south Okanagan communities, including the City of Penticton; the Similkameen area, complete with Keremeos and Princeton; and areas south to the international boundary. A portion of this district is presently within Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola. Of note, this electoral district relinquishes to a reconfigured Kelowna electoral district much of both valleys of the Kettle River and the corridor along Highway 33.
To the north of the proposed Similkameen—West Kootenay district is the proposed and newly named Okanagan Lake West—South Kelowna district. Stretching north of Penticton through Summerland and West Kelowna on the west side of Okanagan Lake to a point north of the William R. Bennett Bridge and across Okanagan Lake to include portions of south Kelowna, this proposed electoral district includes areas presently within the Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola and Kelowna—Lake Country electoral districts. The design of this district departs completely from the Proposal.
The largest city by population in the Southern Interior is Kelowna. This Report proposes to configure a Kelowna electoral district differently than did the Proposal, to include the core of Kelowna, complete with the city centre and airport, and most of the Highway 33 corridor to south of Beaverdell. This district, too, has areas within the present Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola district.
The proposed seventh Southern Interior electoral district centres on Lake Country and Vernon, extending somewhat along Okanagan Lake's northwest reaches and to Armstrong. It includes, on its east, the area from Coldstream through Lumby and the Monashees to Nakusp and the Slocan Valley. The Commission would name this proposed electoral district Vernon—Monashee.