The City of New Westminster won't let go of Queensborough without putting up a fight.
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. Under the proposed boundaries, Queensborough or "that part of the City of New Westminster on Lulu Island" would become part of the Richmond East riding.
"My view is I think the city should oppose the redistribution because it excludes a very large portion of the city, which is Queensborough," said Coun. Bill Harper.
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission will be holding a public hearing in New Westminster on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Inn at the Quay. The deadline to register to speak is Thursday, Aug. 30.
Harper said he'd like to see the city make a presentation to the commission. He will also be registering to speak as an individual at the public hearing.
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said he's worried that the proposal would result in Queensborough's interests being "forgotten" because it would be a small part of a larger Richmond riding. He said Queensborough has a strong multicultural community that shares common characteristic with other parts of the riding, which includes part of New Westminster and south Burnaby.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr agreed that there is good interaction with other parts of New Westminster and Burnaby that are included in the current Burnaby-New Westminster riding, and he thinks it's a shame to remove Queensborough from that area - no matter who is representing the riding in Ottawa.
"I think there is a synergy there, a natural bond there," he said.
Coun. Lorrie Williams said she was quite dismayed by the proposal, saying the city has worked hard to include Queensborough. "It is almost like a severing," she said.
Mayor Wayne Wright said Queensborough is part of New Westminster, and he doubts that people in Ottawa recognize how integral it is to New Westminster.
"It is part of our city," he said.
New Westminster city council voted in favour of opposing the proposed federal boundary changes and applying to make a presentation at the public hearing.
New Westminster is currently represented in the House of Commons by two Members of Parliament, who represent the New Westminster-Coquitlam and the Burnaby-New Westminster ridings.
In addition to proposing that Queensborough be included in a Richmond-East riding, other boundary changes are proposed for New Westminster. Instead of splitting the city into two existing ridings, the city (with the exception of Queensborough) would be represented in the proposed New Westminster-Burnaby East riding.
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.
