The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for B.C. has redrawn the proposed federal riding for Mission-Matsqui, which will drop Pitt Meadows and most of Maple Ridge, and expand south into Abbotsford.
The new boundaries would run from 240 Street in Maple Ridge, north to Alouette and Stave Lakes, then south to encompass Mission, continuing into Abbotsford.
Most of northern Abbotsford would be in the riding, including Sumas Mountain east from the Vedder River to Atkinson Road, Lower Sumas Mountain Road, north along Sumas Way, then continuing west along McClure Road to Mt. Lehman Road.
The remainder of the city would be linked with Abbotsford-Sumas in another electoral riding.
The population for Mission-Matsqui is estimated to be 100,414, roughly within the ideal limit of 105,000 people per riding.
These electoral ridings are draft proposals, which the public can now comment on and provide feedback during public hearings slated for fall.
After the public's views are considered, the commission will submit a report to the House of Commons, where MPs will provide feedback that will then be reviewed by a parliamentary committee.
A final report is then sent to the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada for preparation of a document called a representation order.
This last step allows the new electoral map to be officially implemented, and used at the first general election called at least seven months after the order becomes law, likely in time for the 2015 general election. If an election is called before one year following adoption, the old system would be used.
Every decade, Canada’s electoral boundaries are reviewed and redrawn to account for migration and population growth based on census figures.
B.C. is set to get six new ridings as the boundaries are redrawn, with the number of MPs rising to 42 from 36.
To learn more visit www.federal-redistribution.ca.