RMA’s Submission is in response to the Commission’s interim report, and focuses on the need for greater focus on protecting effective representation in rural Alberta.
RMA has submitted written feedback on the Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission’s (AEBC’s) Interim Report. The Government of Alberta has mandated the AEBC with recommending changes to provincial constituency boundaries. This review, required every eight to ten years under the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, is intended to ensure fair and effective representation as Alberta’s population changes. RMA released a previous bulletin providing more detailed analysis of the interim report.
RMA Input
RMA’s submission recognized that while the Commission’s task is complex, and their options for changes to electoral boundaries are constrained by legislation, there were several instances in which the Commission made decisions or defined priorities that undermine effective rural representation. Specifically, RMA provides feedback recommending the following:
- Reduced emphasis on parity and closeness to the provincial average when determining electoral division populations, and a greater willingness to design rural ridings with lower populations and urban ridings with higher population (within the legislated variance thresholds).
- More consistent use of and transparent reporting on how and to what extent the Commission considered variance physical and social factors in determining boundaries for each electoral division.
- Wider usage of special legislative powers to develop four electoral divisions with populations as much as 50% below the provincial average.
- A reduction in the proposed expansion of hybrid ridings, especially involving the cities of Edmonton and Calgary.
RMA Vice President Jason Schneider is presenting to the Commission during an in-person public hearing on January 19 at 9:00am at the Matrix Hotel in Edmonton. Registration is still open for that public hearing and several others, both in-person (in Edmonton and Calgary) and virtual.
Next Steps
RMA will monitor any changes or updates to the interim report based on feedback gathered by the Commission, as well as opportunities for further engagement.
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com