File Photo
Lloydminster could be moved from the Lakeland federal electoral district to Battle River-Crowfoot as part of a proposed Alberta-wide re-shuffle.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Alberta has proposed a new electoral map for consideration at public hearings this September.
The plan calls for Fort Saskatchewan to be added to Lakeland, currently represented by Conservative MP Shannon Stubbs, while Lloydminster and Vegreville will join Battle River-Crowfoot, held by Conservative MP Damien Kurek.
Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs. File Photo
A hearing on the proposal will be held in Lloydminster at the Holiday Inn & Suites on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m.
Stubbs encourages her constituents and municipal representatives to review the recommended changes and to participate in the public hearings while she mulls over the impact of any changes.
“I will always do my best to advocate for the priorities of the people and communities I represent for as long as I am elected, even if there are changes, and, of course, I will also miss being directly connected with any areas that ultimately end up outside of the boundaries,” she said in an email.
The Commission has extended the deadline to Aug. 15 for anyone to request representation at any of the provincial hearings to give Albertans more time to participate in the process.
“We look forward to hearing from the public,” said the Honourable Justice Bruce McDonald, chair of the three-member Commission in a statement.
The proposal reflects the increase in Alberta’s population from 3,645,257 in 2011 to 4,262,635, as captured in the 2021 Census, and considers communities of interest or identity, and historic and geographic factors.
Under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, the Commission’s main aim in redrawing boundaries is to divide the province into 37 electoral districts with populations that are as close to the electoral quota as reasonably possible, while considering the factors listed above.
The electoral quota for each district is 115,206, which represents the result of the division of the total population of the province (4,262,635) by the number of electoral districts (37).
The change will give Alberta three more seats in Parliament.
The proposed map changes were developed through an independent and non-partisan process.
Stubbs says any boundary changes are not likely to change the political priorities in Lakeland in the short term with so many shared regional issues like supporting resource development, oil and gas workers, pipelines and advocating for farmers and farm families.
“Currently, the biggest population centre is Lloydminster, which I have been proud to represent, and under the proposed new boundaries, Fort Saskatchewan will become the highest population centre, with which I am very familiar, and have already often promoted and advocated for the industrial heartland and the area,” she said.
The commission proposes the southern boundary of the Lakeland electoral district be moved north and mainly follow the Yellowhead Highway that will also be the northern boundary for the most part of Battle River-Crowfoot.
Camrose, Stettler, Wainwright and Tofield will remain in the Battle River-Crowfoot electoral riding.
Stubbs notes there will be some inconvenience for current constituents if the proposed changes come into effect.
She notes there will be some adjustments for people who reach out to MP offices with federal government programs and services and new relationships with municipal representatives, MLAs and leaders of Chambers of Commerce and business and community groups.
“I will certainly endeavour to provide effective and outspoken representation to constituents in the boundaries of Lakeland, no matter what,” said Stubbs.
Kurek says Albertans can expect their Conservative MPs to continue to work hard for their constituents.
He and Stubbs are working together on some national issues reaching out to rural communities across Canada in order to receive their feedback on rural economic development and broadband strategies.
“We have been in contact with approximately 5,500 communities in an ongoing effort to consult with them and will compile their recommendations moving forward with this file,” said Kurek in an email.
Kurek also says the issues of interest in Battle River-Crowfoot are similar to those in the new proposed riding.
“Supporting resource development, oil and gas workers, agriculture and farming communities, pipelines, rural economic development, and combatting rural crime will continue to be top of mind,” he said.
The deadline for the establishment of new boundaries is expected to take place at the earliest in April 2024.
For more information on the process and timeline, visit redistribution-2022.ca.
