The Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission (ABEBC) is taking a second look at the borders of constituencies across the province.
As part of their 10-year review, the ABEBC is recommending changes to the current constituencies, including the Bonnyville-Cold Lake riding.
Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr believes these reviews are necessary. He said adding a significant area to his current constituency could mean his time is spread thin.
“I think we should always be making sure that we have the best representation of Albertans. As our populations change we should definitely be reviewing (boundaries) to make sure that it's the most adequate representation,” he noted.
At this time, the Bonnyville-Cold Lake riding has a population of 37,971. The recommended changes would see that number jump to over 50,000.
The suggestions made by the ABEBC have the local constituency absorb the Saddle Lake First Nations reserve, the White Fish First Nations reserve, the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, and the Town of Elk Point.
“We've seen a pretty big change to our constituency… we're coming pretty close, if not, doubling it,” Cyr said.
The issue is the large geographical scope of the proposed riding.
The size of provincial constituencies is based on population. In the city centres such as Edmonton, where the population is denser, the ridings are more confined. In rural Alberta, the population is spread out across a larger geographical area, making the constituencies much larger in size.
“Whenever we erode the rural Albertans' ability to speak with government that's something that's distressing. Population is something that needs to be considered when doing this boundary commission, but there are a lot of other factors that need to be worked out here,” Cyr said, adding the ABEBC should consider the magnitude of a riding, and what it will mean for the MLA.
For Cyr, it could equate to less time with his constituents, and more time on the road.
“I would probably be looking at getting some more funding so I could get another office on the other side of the constituency. I'm hoping that if they're going to double the size of my constituency that they at least come up with some funding so I will be able to ensure all residents have the same level of focus,” Cyr exclaimed.
Should the recommendations be accepted, Cyr is hoping his new constituents will welcome him with open arms.
The ABEBC is now looking for feedback from MLAs and Albertans. Cyr hopes those within his riding will reach out with any concerns so they can be addressed to the boundaries commission.
“When you look at how this has been done in the past, the premier did something very similar. This isn't something that's out of sorts. The government chooses two representatives for the panel, and then the opposition picks two, and they have a neutral party. I'm sure that they're trying to be fair in the process, but a little bit of push back is never a bad thing.”
One thing the ABEBC needs to keep in mind, he added, is that if rural Alberta constituencies grow too large it will be difficult for MLAs to reach out to all of their communities.
This, Cyr said, will be “a step back for rural Alberta.”
The ABEBC will be accepting written submissions until July 8, and holding public hearings during the third week of July. They will present their final report to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta by October 31, 2017.
