The Honourable Judge Ernest J.M. Walter was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to chair the 2009/2010 Electoral Boundaried Commission on July 21, 2009.
Four members have been appointed to the Commission, in addition to the Chairman. Two members are appointed by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on the nomination of the Leader of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition in consultation with the leaders of the other opposition parties represented in the Legislative Assembly, and two are appointed by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on the nomination of the President of the Executive Council. The Commission members include Keith Archer, Peter Dobbie, Brian Evans and Allyson Jeffs.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission was appointed on July 31, 2009.
Legislation directs that a Commission was to be appointed by July 31, 2009.
A subsequent Commission is to be appointed during the first session of the Legislature following the 2nd general election after the appointment of this Commission. It shall not be appointed sooner than 8 years, nor later than 10 years, after the appointment of the 2009/2010 Commission.
The last Commission was appointed on March 25, 2002 and submitted its final report of recommendations to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on February 3, 2003.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission is established to review the existing electoral boundaries and make proposals to the Legislative Assembly as to the area, boundaries and names of the electoral divisions of Alberta. This review is done to ensure that Albertans have effective representation in the Legislative Assembly.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, Chapter E-3 provides direction to the Electoral Boundaries Commission. Copies are available from the Queen’s Printer Bookstore.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission will review the existing electoral boundaries and make proposals to the Legislative Assembly as to the area, boundaries and names of the electoral divisions of Alberta. This review is done to ensure that Albertans have effective representation in the Legislative Assembly.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission will consult Albertans throughout this process. Public input will be considered by the Electoral Boundaries Commission in making recommendations to the Legislative Assembly.
The Commission is to divide Alberta into 87 proposed electoral divisions by taking the following into consideration:
The population of a proposed electoral division must not vary more than 25% from the provincial average, except in up to four special consideration electoral divisions which may be up to 50% below the provincial average. Proposed special consideration electoral divisions must meet at least three of the criteria detailed in the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act.
The Electoral Boundaries Commission will submit two reports to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly: an interim report in February 2010 and a final report by July 2010.
Legislation allows for a 25% variance in population from the provincial average. This means that each electoral division must have a population of 40,880, on average, with the exception of up to four special consideration electoral divisions. Special consideration electoral divisions* are allowed a variance of up to 50% below the provincial average (that is, they may have a population as low as 20,440).
The 2006 federal census, excluding people on Indian reserves who didn't participate in the census, results in an Alberta population of 3,290,350. If you divide that by 87, the number of electoral divisions, you will see the average population per electoral division is 37,820
The Commission, however, may consider additional population information reflecting recent growth as it proceeds with its review. Using the 2009 Official Population List,
the total Alberta population being considered by the Commission has been calculated as follows:
Adjusted 2006 Canada Census 3,297,638
Increase reported in 2009 Official Population List 258,945
TOTAL ALBERTA POPULATION 3,556,583
The average population per electoral division for 87 divisions now being considered by the Commission is 40,880.
*Proposed special consideration electoral divisions must meet at least three of the criteria detailed in the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, which include:
In many cases, populations significantly above the quotient are the result of the people informing the Commission that maintaining communities of interest, including the decision not to split residential communities, is more important than having a population closer to the quotient.
Legislation directs that Alberta will be divided into 87 electoral divisions.
The Commission took the following into consideration:
The population of a proposed electoral division must not vary more than 25% from the provincial average; that is, the population must be between 30,660 and 51,100. An exception may be made in up to four special consideration electoral divisions which may be up to 50% below the provincial average (that is, they may have a population as low as 20,440).
Proposed special consideration electoral divisions must meet at least three of the criteria detailed in the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, which include:
The Office of the Electoral Boundaries Commission can be contacted:
After the final report of the Electoral Boundaries Commission is provided to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker will lay the report before the Legislative Assembly. If the Assembly approves, or approves with alterations, the recommendations of the Commission, a Bill will be introduced to establish new electoral divisions. The Bill will come into force on Proclamation and, if enacted, will be effective before the holding of the next provincial general election.