Four presenters at the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission hearing in Powell River were emphatic that this city remains in a constituency with the Lower Sunshine Coast.
Kevin Sigouin, Maggie Hathaway, Dave Formosa and Roger Whittaker all stated that Powell River’s natural business and political affiliations run north to south rather than east to west.
During the hearing on Tuesday, November 4, Commissioner Beverley Busson said the commission’s function was to review provincial electoral districts and to make proposals to the legislative assembly on the areas, boundaries and names of the electoral districts to be used for the next two provincial general elections. She said if the commission feels the number of electoral districts should be increased, the commissioners could make recommendation for up to two additional electoral districts in BC, to a maximum of 87.
In addressing the commission, Sigouin said Powell Riverites want to keep the constituency configured the way it is.
“I want to let you know today that Powell River is part of the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “Powell River must remain with the Lower Sunshine Coast in one provincial riding.”
Sigouin outlined several organizational affiliations between the two regions of the Sunshine Coast. He said there are economic considerations and the north and south regions share the same concerns.
“Should this riding be split I am concerned that this alignment on economic and issue management would be lost,” Sigouin said. “Our ability to access and voice our concerns with our local MLA would be significantly diminished.”
Commissioner Keith Archer said one of the challenges the commission is facing is to ensure an appropriate balance of population so people in all electoral districts can benefit from effective representation. The Comox Valley district is large and has a population almost 20 per cent greater than the provincial constituency average.
“They are nearing the maximum allowable deviation and that’s an issue the commission has to be mindful of and needs to address.”
Hathaway, constituency assistant for Nicholas Simons, MLA, and city councillor, said she was appearing as a citizen of the community.
Powell River’s linkages are historically with Vancouver although residents shop on Vancouver Island because it’s closer, she said.
The ferry to Vancouver Island has many more cancellations in the winter months than the crossing from Saltery Bay to Earl’s Cove, so transportation is a significant issue, she added.
Formosa said going back thousands of years, there has been an overlap between the Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation and the Sechelt First Nation.
“The two nations lived side by side and worked side by side and enjoyed the same lands together,” Formosa said. “Let’s take that into today.”
Whittaker told the commission that Powell River’s outside connections run north to south.
“It might look like we belong with Courtenay and Comox on a map but the reality is we do not,” he said.
Powell River’s hearing was one of 29 around BC and Busson said at the outset that no decisions have been made.
“We are trying to get a feel for each of the areas,” she said. “Nothing has been crystallized in any way, hoping folks can give us a better feel for each of the electoral districts.”
Views, submissions and presentations may be made through an online submission form on the commission’s website, by email to [email protected], or by mail to PO Box 9275 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9J6. All submissions must be received by the commission by Sunday, November 16, 2014. The preliminary report will be distributed on May 9, 2015.
