National

B.C. proposes six new ridings, expands to 93 seats

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Apr, 2023 05:00 PM

VICTORIA - British Columbia's electoral map is poised to expand by six ridings, increasing the number of provincial constituencies to 93 from the current 87 ahead of the 2024 fixed election date.

Amendments to the Electoral Districts Act were introduced Monday to establish the 93 electoral districts.

The changes to the provincial electoral map are the New Democrat government's response to recent recommendations from the independent Electoral Boundaries Commission to reflect rapid population growth.

The proposed increase of six new electoral districts includes four in the Lower Mainland in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and Langley, one on Vancouver Island in Langford and another in Kelowna in the B.C. Interior.

The boundary commission's preliminary report was first presented to the legislature last October, with the final report delivered and unanimously approved earlier this month.

Attorney General Niki Sharma says the independent commission's call for the increase in electoral districts was largely based on population growth in certain areas, making it necessary for voter representation.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Battle looming over Canada's defence spending

The budget document says spending by the Defence Department will reach nearly $40 billion by 2026-27 as a result of those additional investments, but the government is not saying what that means as a share of Canada's gross domestic product.

Battle looming over Canada's defence spending

Federal spending on staff grew during pandemic

The Parliamentary Budget Office says the increase in salaries was the largest contributor to the rise in total compensation, but spending on pensions, overtime and bonuses also grew at a faster rate.

Federal spending on staff grew during pandemic

Vancouver's March home sales down 42.5%: REBGV

Last month's sales totalled 2,535 compared with 4,405 sales in March 2022 and 1,808 in February. The B.C. board says the numbers signal that March home sales are making a stronger than expected spring showing so far, despite elevated borrowing costs.

Vancouver's March home sales down 42.5%: REBGV

Fungus deadly to bats detected in B.C. guano

The ministry says the fungus is primarily spread by bat-to-bat contact and doesn't affect humans but can spread through the movement of contaminated clothing and gear, or through accidental transport of the animals.

Fungus deadly to bats detected in B.C. guano

B.C. Indigenous rights beat mining, court hears

Human rights commissioner Kasari Govender confirmed in a separate news release Monday that she will be in court this week. She said how the declaration act is interpreted and implemented in this case will have "important implications for reconciliation in the province."

B.C. Indigenous rights beat mining, court hears

Child becomes entangled in garage door: New Westminster Police

Officers learned that the child had become entangled in the garage door and had suffered injuries. A heroic neighbour heard the mother in distress and rushed to free the child who was unable to free themself from the moving parts of the garage door.