SOUND OFF: NDP removes protections for rural B.C. representation
BRITISH COLUMBIA IS DIVIDED INTO 87 RIDINGS, each represented by an MLA. This division has not always been the same, as over time new ridings have been added to ensure effective representation that reflects our growing population.
These adjustments are made by the Electoral Boundaries Commission, which convenes every second election. The Commission is in the process of hearing from British Columbians before it prepares its report. Your voice is integral to this process, as this year the NDP government has altered the Commission’s mandate by removing key protections for rural ridings that previously would make sure sparsely populated ridings could maintain effective representation. These rural ridings, like mine in Cariboo-Chilcotin, could be made even larger by the Commission and would limit voters’ ability to bring concerns to their MLA.
Right now, for some of my colleagues in the north, it would take up to 10 hours for them to drive from one end of their riding to another. In my riding, it would take more than 6 hours to drive across. We now risk having MLAs and their constituents needing to travel even further distances to engage with each other — which is incredibly costly and inconvenient, and might not get people the help they need in a timely manner. In cases where people don’t always have access to cell service and internet, often in more rural and remote parts of B.C., it is not reasonable to expect residents to solely rely on Zoom calls to stay in touch with their elected officials. Online services are not always a possible option, especially in the midst of emergencies like forest fires and floods.
We live in a vast province that has a diverse population, varied geography and very different needs, and revised electoral boundaries must consider all these differences. As our population grows, our provincial ridings must reflect that, however it must not be at the cost of effective representation in more rural areas of the province. Every individual in B.C. deserves effective representation and it is your time to make concerns known.
