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

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at SFU damaged in vandalism act: Burnaby RCMP

The Mounties were contacted around 8:30 p.m. on Monday, after someone noticed the statue had been vandalized, with the head having been removed. It is not yet known when the vandalism happened. It’s believed a power tool was likely used.

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi at SFU damaged in vandalism act: Burnaby RCMP

Democrats, GOP spar over Canada-U.S. border

In a subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill, House Republicans fanned the flames of an emerging fire-and-brimstone narrative about a "metastasizing crisis" of irregular migration along the world's longest international frontier.

Democrats, GOP spar over Canada-U.S. border

Federal budget includes $59.5B in new spending

To alleviate the pressure of rising grocery prices, the federal government has extended the GST rebate boost offered in the fall. The rebate, which will go to lower income Canadians, will deliver up to $234 to a single person and up to $467 to a couple with two children.

Federal budget includes $59.5B in new spending

Dental program cost set to more than double

That benefit will be scrapped by June 2024. In its place, Tuesday's budget shows the Liberals are planning a government-administered insurance program, at a cost of $13 billion over five years beginning in fiscal year 2023-24.

Dental program cost set to more than double

B.C. councillor resigns, called mayor 'Mr. Hitler'

At a March 20 meeting, Smyth took issue with a decision not to livestream advisory committee meetings about an official community plan or release committee members' CVs. Smyth said the move was done in a "very political way," something that was denied by Mayor Peter Jones who said it was a "practical approach" before ending questions.

B.C. councillor resigns, called mayor 'Mr. Hitler'

B.C. to secure access to drug of social media fame

Adrian Dix said in January that the government would be investigating why almost 10 per cent of prescriptions for the drug in B.C. were filled for American citizens. Dix said at the time that the dramatic increase in demand for the diabetes drug was partly because of social media "influencers" who spoke about its weight loss benefits.