Federal election ridings may look a bit different starting later this year. Both the ridings for northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan are likely to see changes, according to proposed new federal riding maps.
The Manitoba riding covering all of the north will grow in size, while the northern Saskatchewan one will shrink slightly.
Federal ridings are typically determined by population, with each riding supposed to represent an equal number of residents. Due to expansion in population, Canada will go from 338 federal ridings in last year’s federal election to 342, if the proposal is passed - one new seat will appear in British Columbia, giving the province 43, while three new seats will appear in Alberta, giving the province 37 total seats in the House of Commons. Ontario will get one more seat, while one seat will be contracted from Quebec if the proposal passes muster.
Manitoba
The northern Manitoba riding - officially known as Churchill-Keewatinook Aski - is slated to extend further south along the Saskatchewan border, now covering areas like Mafeking and going down to areas east of Swan River, covering part of the Parkland region stretching toward the Interlake.
Under the proposed boundaries, Birch River, Cowan, Minitonas, Camperville and Pine River would now be part of Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, as well as Skownan First Nation north of Lake Winnipegosis.
Flin Flon, The Pas, Thompson and other regions will all stay in the riding as normal - the riding will also see no changes on the eastern side of Manitoba.
The new riding boundaries will be discussed in a series of public meetings this fall. Only five meetings are scheduled, with two being held virtually - one Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. and a second Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.
The other three meetings will be held in Winnipeg, Brandon and Steinbach.
“The Manitoba commission is pleased to present our proposal to the public. We welcome input into this important democratic process and invite everyone to provide written and oral submissions. We look forward to receiving everyone's perspectives at our public hearings,” said Justice Diana Cameron, chair of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission (FEDC) for Manitoba. The Manitoba portion of the FEDC is a three-person board appointed to oversee the new boundaries.
Questions about the new boundaries can be sent to the commission by emailing [email protected] by August 30.
Saskatchewan
The riding that covers northern Saskatchewan, Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River, will see no change for areas around Flin Flon - Creighton, Denare Beach, Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay and all other Saskatchewan communities near Flin Flon will stay in the riding. Despite everything staying the same around here though, some changes are coming in the south of the riding.
Most of the changes are coming in the southwest and southeast corners. The dividing line would cut off areas like Pierceland, Loon Lake, Big River, Ahtahkakoop, Debden, Waskesiu and Spiritwood from the riding, putting them in the Battlefords-Lloydminster and Prince Albert ridings.
In the eastern portion of the riding, there will be more changes, sorting Red Earth and Pakwaw Lake into a different riding.
In the middle lies Candle Lake, which - if the proposal goes through - will be shuffled from Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River to the Prince Albert riding.
Unlike in Manitoba, questions about the Saskatchewan side of the boundaries have already started and several public sessions have already been held. As of the date of The Reminder’s publication, six more sessions were set to be held - one each in Regina, Fort Qu’Appelle, Moose Jaw, Yorkton and Weyburn and a virtual hearing July 14. The deadline for accepting presentations at those sessions, however, was back on June 13, though questions can still be asked by participants.
