Alberta Legislature Increases Seat Count by 2 Before Upcoming Election

November 6, 2024 TruthUSA

Alberta’s increasing population has led the provincial government to propose legislation that would add two new seats to the legislature for the next election.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery has suggested changes to the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act to create two additional electoral districts before the 2027 general election, raising the total number of seats to 89 from 87.

“Alberta’s population has grown by about 155,000 people since the last provincial election, with a growth rate of around 3.2 percent that is expected to continue,” Amery stated during a Nov. 5 press conference.

Amery added, “If we consider only the population in relation to the number of MLAs elected in this assembly, it signals our aim to provide fair and effective representation for all Albertans.”

Under current legislation, each electoral division in Alberta must fall within 25 percent above or below the average population of all proposed electoral districts, Amery explained. Government data indicates that nine of Alberta’s 87 ridings are overpopulated.

Five of the overpopulated districts are in Calgary, three in Edmonton, and the final one is Airdrie-Cochrane, including Cochrane town, which has experienced over 40 percent growth since 2016.

Amery emphasized, “By increasing the number of electoral divisions, we are demonstrating our commitment to balanced and fair representation.”

If the proposed bill by the justice minister is approved in the legislature, a committee will be established in the province to study and recommend changes to the boundaries of existing constituencies for the new ridings.

The commission could be appointed as early as this fall or as late as Oct. 31, 2026, to ensure the new boundaries are established before the next provincial election, Amery noted.

Amery added, “Given the extensive work to be done and the approach needed to canvass the entire province, collect recommendations, and submit a report for debate in the legislature, it is likely that we will act sooner rather than later on this.”

Even if the bill is rejected in the legislature, a commission will still need to be appointed by the province to review the electoral districts before the 2027 election. The committee composition would involve two members appointed by the Opposition NDP and three by the governing United Conservative Party.

NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir expressed confidence that the government will handle the boundary redesign process in good faith.

Sabir said, “We anticipate a fair process where the new ridings are created in areas with the highest population and growth pressures, without political motivations.”

Amery stressed that adding two new seats is not about securing an electoral victory in the upcoming election.

“It would not be my decision or the government’s to determine the location of the new seats,” he stated. “That responsibility lies with the commission after gathering input from Albertans. Once presented to the legislative assembly, we will debate the recommendations and decide accordingly.”

In Alberta’s 2023 election, there was a noticeable geographical split, with the NDP winning in Edmonton, the UCP in rural regions, and both parties evenly splitting Calgary.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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