A proposed redrawing of British Columbia’s federal electoral map has severed Powell River from the Lower Sunshine Coast and moved it across the Strait of Georgia to Vancouver Island North.
The main reason for the change, according to the chair of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia, is numbers. West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding, which currently includes Powell River, has too large a population and needs to be reconfigured. To solve that, the commission proposes to put Powell River back with Vancouver Island North.
It’s familiar territory for Powell River. From 1987 to 1997, Powell River was part of North Island-Powell River riding, which was created from parts of Comox-Powell River, which existed from 1976 to 1987. Both ridings included Sunshine Coast Regional District.
West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast, which was renamed in 2003, was created in 1996 from parts of Capilano-Howe Sound and North Island-Powell River.
New Democrat Ray Skelly held Comox-Powell River from 1979 to 1988. He won North Island-Powell River in 1988 and held it until 1993, when Reform Party candidate John Duncan won the riding.
Duncan held Vancouver Island North from 1997 to 2006, as a Reform Party, then Canadian Alliance and finally Conservative, MP. New Democrat Catherine Bell held it from 2008 to 2011, but Duncan won it back in 2011.
While the commission looks at numbers when it makes its decisions, it also considers historical patterns, community interest and identity to achieve the goal of effective representation in Parliament.
A large part of Powell River’s identity is based on the fact it is on the mainland and is closely tied with the Lower Sunshine Coast. The provincial riding, Powell River-Sunshine Coast, reflects the natural bonds between the two areas. The Sunshine Coast timber supply area is another distinction that links the two, as is Sunshine Coast Tourism, an organization that markets the area. These bonds, which have been created over the recent past, reflect the strong connection and affinity between the two regions.
The commission, according to the chair, is receptive to hearing from residents about the proposal to join Powell River with Vancouver Island North.
It’s important that residents think about the proposal, what it would mean, then express their views to the commission. It’s a major change that has wide-ranging implications for the community’s future.
