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Boundary change reflects Richmond growth

If you want your views about the proposed electoral boundary changes known, give the commission written notice by Aug. 30. A public hearing on the proposal will be held in Richmond Sept. 25.

If you want your views about the proposed electoral boundary changes known, give the commission written notice by Aug. 30.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held in Richmond Sept. 25.

Earlier this summer, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia proposed to re-draw the electoral boundaries to accommodate for additional ridings six new districts for B.C., as a result of an increase in the provinces population.

For Richmond, this means two full separate ridings, with Richmond-East no longer sharing with Delta, but instead encompassing a part of Queensborough.

I think the proposed changes are great for Richmond, said former campaign manager for MP AliceWong and political commentator Sacha Peter. This way therell be two representatives fully representing the city.

The commission reviews the electoral boundaries every 10 years to keep up with changing demographics across the country. It tries to give each riding a population of 104,000, with about a 10 per cent leeway.

Its a sign that the city is growing, said Peter. Both the proposed ridings are slightly under-populated, but this was done with the expectation that therell be a lot of growth in the city within the next 10 years.

Once confirmed, the boundaries will be enacted in 2014, but the changes only take effect when the next federal election is held, which is slated for October 2015.

Peter said little might change in how residents vote, even though a Richmond-East riding without Delta could result in a more left leaning electorate.

I think Richmond-East will probably remain Conservative, said Peter. During the last election, the riding had more than half of the Conservative votes. But a lot can happen in the next three years.

And nothings set in stone yet in regards to these proposed changes. Im sure after the open houses, the commission will go back and review everything.

A series of public hearings throughout B.C. will begin in September, with Richmonds on Sept. 25 at the Best Western Abercorn Inn at 7 p.m. The commission will be accepting written comments until Oct. 18. For more information, visit www.federal-redistribution.ca.