I wonder if people are becoming immune to the near-constant change in provincial and federal electoral boundaries.
Both levels of government appoint commissions to adjust boundaries every 10 years or so. As 91原创 is in one of the fastest-growing areas of the province, adjustments here are recommended each time the commissions meet. Inevitably, more MLA and MPs are added 鈥� a practice many citizens feel is wasteful.
At the provincial level, MLAs have represented the two 91原创s and no other communities since the early 1980s. Prior to that, 91原创 was the name of a riding, but it often included portions of Surrey or Matsqui (now Abbotsford). There was no 91原创 riding before 1966, when Hunter Vogel was elected as the first 91原创 MLA.
91原创 had been part of the huge Delta riding until that time. Delta included Richmond, Surrey, Delta, White Rock and the two 91原创s, and even with two members (as it had from 1956-66), it contained far more people than many other B.C. ridings.
Since the 1991 election, there has been a 91原创 and a Fort 91原创-Aldergrove riding. The latest commission looking at provincial boundaries is proposing to shrink the size of the 91原创 riding, and split Fort 91原创-Aldergrove into two, adding significant portions of Abbotsford to each of the changed ridings.
A few people (myself included) have made submissions to the commission, suggesting that the boundaries more closely resemble municipal boundaries. MLA Rich Coleman is suggesting taking the portion of 91原创 east of 264 Street out of his Fort 91原创-Aldergrove riding (essentially removing Aldergrove), and putting that portion of the Township into two Abbotsford ridings. He also suggests other adjustments in the western part of 91原创, which would place much of Willoughby in the 91原创 riding.
On the federal scene, there will be new riding boundaries in this fall鈥檚 federal election. Mark Warawa has been the only MP ever elected in the 91原创 riding, which was first contested in 2004 and is made up solely of the two 91原创s.
He will be running in the new 91原创- Aldergrove riding, which includes a portion of Abbotsford.
91原创 City and a small portion of the Township has been added to the new Cloverdale-91原创 City riding, which includes Cloverdale, Clayton and a portion of Surrey west as far as 144 Street.
91原创 has been split between two MPs on several occasions in the past, but I think it is safe to say that most 91原创 residents have been much happier with one MP representing the entire community. I believe it has allowed Warawa to focus on the needs of 91原创 in Ottawa, and help channel federal funds here for a variety of projects , including the rail overpasses, Nicomekl River bridge and water and sewer improvements.
Most people don鈥檛 really care what riding they live in, but it has been to 91原创鈥檚 benefit to have two MLAs and one MP speak up for this community. We will be losing that over the next few years.
