Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog says the Liberals are coming close to “gerrymandering” by protecting select rural and northern ridings duringĀ a review of electoral boundaries.
The government’s bill would keep the Electoral Boundaries Commission from making changes to 17 ridings, and keep the number of seats at 85.
Krog is point man for the NDP in the debate at the Legislature. He says two pretty big cities, Prince George and Kamloops, are included in the “protected” list, but rural ridings in this area aren’t.Ā Krog says that flies in the face of the government’s claim the bill would keep rural ridings from being overwhelmed by urban ones.
Powell River Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons says he thinks the bill smacks of political interference in what should be an independent process led by the Commission.Ā He’s also predicting the legislation will be challenged in court if it passes.
Provincial riding boundaries automatically come up for review every 8 years.
