New Westminster's Queensborough could be joining Richmond - at least for federal elections.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia has proposed new electoral maps for Canadians' consideration at public hearings that are taking place in the fall.
Richmond's hearing will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Best Western Abercorn Inn.
Ten independent electoral boundaries commissions - one in each province - will determine the new federal electoral boundaries.
Under the proposed boundaries, Queensborough would become part of the Richmond East riding.
"It's a major change," said New Westminster-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly. "I am trying to maintain that the commission is being an objective, fair body but it sure has a few heads being scratched."
Moving Queensborough to the Richmond-East riding isn't the only change proposed for New Westminster; instead of splitting the city into the existing Burnaby-New Westminster and the New Westminster-Coquitlam ridings, the city would be represented in the proposed New Westminster-Burnaby East riding.
Burnaby-New Westminster MP Peter Julian said some significant changes are proposed for New Westminster and Burnaby. The electoral commission is also proposing that North Burnaby join with part of North Vancouver.
"The electoral commission has a tough job," Julian said. "They are going to do the best job they can in putting the first drafts out."
Julian recalls that first drafts of boundaries presented back in 2002 recommended a federal riding join parts of New Westminster and Surrey.
Julian credits the boundaries commission for considering the public feedback in 2002 and coming back with new boundaries, which exist today.
Julian said he's already heard concerns about the proposed boundaries from Queensborough residents.
"They don't see Queensborough as being a community of interest with downtown Richmond," he said. "It is an issue of concern to folks."
Julian has also heard from local constituents who like that New Westminster has two members of Parliament to speak on their behalf. "That doubles our punching weight in the House of Commons."
Donnelly said he will definitely be commenting on the proposed boundaries, noting that the changes would "pull apart" the existing New Westminster Coquitlam-Port Moody riding that he represents.
According to Elections Canada, the Constitution of Canada requires that federal electoral districts be reviewed after each 10-year census to reflect changes and movements in Canada's population.
Launched in February, the federal redistribution process is proposing changes to many federal ridings in Canada so the changes and movement to Canada's population is reflected in House of Commons representation.
The new electoral boundaries are expected to be in effect for the next federal election, which is slated for Oct. 19, 2015. For more information about hearings in B.C. and maps of proposed boundaries, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca.
