The Boundaries Commission shifts ridings to accommodate population growth, including Burke Mountain and Port Coquitlam.
The next provincial election in British Columbia is scheduled for 2024.
As it rolls out, some Tri-Cities residents could vote in new precincts if the recent realignment proposals are finally approved.
On October 3, the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission proposed changes that would create six new constituencies and increase the number of seats in Victoria’s Legislative Assembly from 87 to 93.
“British Columbia is a growing province,” commission chair Justice Nitya Iyer said in a news release.
“The population has grown by more than 300,000 people over the past five years. Our recommendation to increase the number of electoral districts in British Columbia reflects this growth.”
Changes in the Tri-Cities
Currently, there are four constituencies in the Tri-Cities:
- Mount Coquitlam-Burke
- Coquitlam-Maillardville
- Port Coquitlam
- Port Moody-Coquitlam
Although none of the six proposed new districts are in the three cities – Burnaby, Langford, Langley, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria – the commission’s realignment would impact residents of Maillardville and the Westwood plateau, as the two would join a neighboring constituency.
If approved, the Tri-Cities would include the following districts:
- Mount Coquitlam-Burke
- Coquitlam Mundy Park
- New Westminster-Maillardville
- Port Coquitlam
- Port Moody-Westwood Plateau
“Before we began our deliberations, we traveled throughout the province, meeting with as many people as possible, soliciting input on electoral boundaries,” Iyer added, noting that their team held 50 town hall meetings in 43 communities and received more. than 1,300 submissions before completing its proposal.
“Our recommendations are the result of the considerations contained in the Act, the data we have gathered and the diverse perspectives of British Columbians.”
New neighbors
Coquitlam-Mundy Park, if the commission’s request is granted, would move Maillardville residents south to join New Westminster.
What remains would include the neighborhoods of Harbor Chines, Cariboo, Austin Heights, Fraser Mills, Ranch Park and Mayfair, following North Road to the west and the Fraser River to the south, and extending as far north as the road line Canadian Pacific Railway.
The commission also wants to move the eastern boundary of the riding to Port Coquitlam so that the two Kʷikʷəƛəm̓ (Kwikwetlem) First Nation reserves are in the same electoral district.
He argues that the realignment of Maillardville – as far north and east as Austin Avenue and Schoolhouse Street – would support New Westminster’s “rapid” population growth, as well as the displacement of some of its residential areas from the west towards Burnaby.
Meanwhile, in northeast Coquitlam, residents of Westwood Plateau and some from Burquitlam would join the electoral district of Port Moody.
The commission says the move will potentially allow “room for growth” at Coquitlam-Burke Mountain “given that its population is near the top of the usual deviation range.”
The Port Moody-Westwood Plateau would extend south to Smith Avenue and north to Say Nuth Khaw Yum (Indian Arm) Provincial Park.
Coquitlam-Burke Mountain would still include the Eagle Ridge, River Springs and Sun Valley neighborhoods.
The constituency of Port Coquitlam would continue to follow the boundaries of the municipality, but without the Kwikwetlem 2 reserve.
It would also have the largest population of the Tri-Cities constituencies under the proposed changes – 61,483.
Last round of public consultations
The commission is undertaking a final round of public consultations before releasing its final report by April 3, 2023.
Two virtual public hearings for all regions will be held on October 21 and November 8 at 5 p.m.
An in-person public meeting will also be held Nov. 2 at 9:30 a.m. in New Westminster in the Hyack Room at Inn At The Quay (900 Quayside Dr.).
Further information on public hearings is available on the commission’s website.
– with files from Jess Balzer, Burnaby NOW