Richard Froese
The Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission sure took a cookie cutter to the three electoral divisions in the High Prairie, Falher-McLennan and Peace River regions.
Presenting its interim report to the Legislative Assembly on Oct. 27, the commission has proposed to break up the current Lesser Slave Lake riding.
The commission has proposed the new Slave Lake – Westlock – Athabasca riding with Slave Lake on the western boundary, the Mackenzie riding with Big Lakes County and north and the proposed Peace River – Notley riding that combines the current Peace River and Central Peace – Notley riding and would include High Prairie and the west side of Big Lakes.
Proposed changes are strongly opposed by the three MLAs – Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair, Peace River MLA Dan Williams and Central Peace – Notley MLA Todd Loewen. They agree it would reduce meaningful representation for all northern Albertans.
Williams also serves as the municipal affairs minister, which could be interesting.
Local governments are sure to sound their opposition to the proposed changes. particularly splitting Lesser Slave Lake that has long been an effective riding that has communities with natural connections.
Reviewing the boundaries, the commission considered population figures and relative population density throughout the province, common community and regional interests, geographic features and natural boundaries and effective representation.
During public hearings in the three ridings last June, presenters urged the commission to maintain the status quo.
One of those presenters was former Lesser Slave Lake MLA Danielle Larivee who said splitting the current riding would hurt effective representation.
Others said the current ridings are large enough in size making it difficult for the MLAs to travel and keep connected in person.
It seems too much emphasis is put on a numbers game – population.
So, after what local citizens stated at the public hearings, what did the commission do?
The commission did just the opposite.
Local governments have have regional partnerships with neighoubouring municipalities that the provincial government promotes. That should be the focus as much as possible.
The water body of Lesser Slave Lake is a natural connection that should be maintained to keep the Lesser Slave Lake riding.
Proposing the Mackenzie riding seems odd with High Level the only town – in the north.
Why split Big Lakes into two?
Peerless Lake is connected more to Peace River than to High Level.
Citizens can express their concerns with written submission by email by Dec. 19 or speak at public hearing planned for January with a schedule released on Nov. 24.
More information is on the website at abebc.ca.