Redrawing the electoral map

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This article was published 18/05/2018 (2771 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

 

Winnipeg will gain one seat in the Manitoba legislature, 16 constituencies will receive new names, and all electoral divisions will undergo some change under proposed revisions to the province’s electoral boundaries.

In an interim report, the Manitoba Electoral Divisions Boundaries Commission said the provincial capital is entitled to a 32nd seat in the 57-seat legislature because of population shifts. The rest of the province would be carved up into 25 constituencies, down from 26.

Where the population is growing, electoral boundaries are shrinking. Where the population is declining, the boundaries are expanding.

Winnipeg’s population has grown considerably since the last time the electoral boundaries were adjusted in 2008. “All reports received indicate that this significant growth is expected to continue for the foreseeable future,” the commission said.

The commission — which meets every 10 years — divided Manitoba’s 2016 census population of 1,278,365 by 57 to establish a “quotient” for each constituency of 22,427 people. It then drew up proposed electoral boundaries with a population range of approximately plus or minus five per cent of that figure.

It took into account projected population changes, municipal boundaries and physical boundaries, such as rivers, lakes and major highways in its proposals.

There have been considerable shifts in population among constituencies since the last electoral boundary revision a decade ago. For example, the Maples constituency in northwest Winnipeg has nearly twice the population of the constituency of Flin Flon.

As a result of the proposed boundary changes, significant landmarks that were previously associated with the names of some constituencies no longer apply.

For instance, the Logan electoral division no longer contains Logan Avenue, so the commission has proposed its name be changed to Union Station “to recognize the important role of the railway in the establishment of Winnipeg.”

Similarly, the previous Minto electoral division no longer contains the Minto Armouries, so it’s being renamed Notre Dame.

Meanwhile, the Seine River electoral division will now cross the Red River to include the community of St. Norbert. And the new division of Lagimodiere will be created to accommodate the significant growth in Sage Creek. As well, the electoral division of Kildonan is being expanded to include the historical area of Kildonan on the east side of the Red River.

In northwest Winnipeg, significant population growth required several significant adjustments, including the creation of the new electoral division of Garden City.

Manitoba’s four northern constituencies will grow larger geographically, pushing southward so they encompass all lands that have not been surveyed into townships.

The cities of Flin Flon and The Pas — currently in separate constituencies — will be combined into one, under the proposed revisions, and a new constituency to be named Kameesak (which in Cree means “big,” a reference to Lake Winnipeg) will be created.

The commission is made up of five members: Richard Chartier (chairman), Chief Justice of Manitoba; David Barnard, president of the University of Manitoba; Steven Robinson, interim president of Brandon University; Harvey Briggs, dean of arts, business and science, University College of the North; and Shipra Verma, chief electoral officer of Manitoba.

(The interim report, along with maps showing the proposed electoral division boundaries with their proposed names and populations, are posted at www.boundariescommission.mb.ca.)

The commission is seeking submissions from the public about the proposed changes. Submissions may be made, until Oct. 1, by mail, fax, email or on the commission’s website. A series of public meetings will be held in September.

The commission’s final report is due Dec. 31. The new boundaries, once finalized, will be used for the 2020 general election.

Elections Manitoba said the current boundaries will be used for any byelections held before the next provincial election.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

Electoral Division Boundaries Commission interim report