| B. Redistribution of Electoral Boundaries | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Across Canada, members of Parliament and the various legislatures are elected to represent a geographical area called an electoral district (also a riding, electoral division or constituency). The number and boundaries of electoral districts are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in population in a process called redistribution. Usually, the size of an electoral district is determined according to a population-based electoral quota, from which a variance of plus or minus 25% is allowed. In Quebec, New Brunswick and Nunavut, unlike other jurisdictions, the electoral quota is based on the total number of electors, rather than on the population. In some jurisdictions, redistribution takes place every 10 years. That is the case in Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In Prince Edward Island, electoral boundaries are reviewed after every third general election, but in Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon, this process takes place after every second general election. In the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, redistribution proceeds only on the advice or resolution of the Legislative Assembly, and in New Brunswick, only after an Order in Council. In Ontario, according to the Representation Act, 1996, the electoral districts are identical to those established for federal elections, and there is no provincial redistribution. In all jurisdictions (except Ontario), an independent electoral boundaries commission is established to determine the location of electoral boundaries. Federally, a separate boundaries commission is established for each province. Electoral boundaries commissions usually consist of a chairperson and two to five members. In some cases, the position of chairperson is reserved for a specific member of the commission, such as the Chief Electoral Officer (Quebec), or a judge or retired judge (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut). Usually, the chairperson is appointed by Order in Council, except in Canada, and Newfoundland and Labrador, where the chairperson is appointed by the Chief Justice. Members are generally appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons or Legislative Assembly or by Order in Council. The legislation in most jurisdictions explicitly states that any person sitting as a member of Parliament or of a Legislative Assembly is ineligible for a boundaries commission. The remuneration for an electoral boundaries commission is fixed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, Commissioner or Commissioner in Executive Council, as the case may be, except in Quebec, where it is linked to the public service salary scale. All jurisdictions require electoral boundaries commissions to conduct public hearings on proposed changes. The commissions use such hearings to determine social and economic factors that may influence the location of the boundaries. In general, these hearings are conducted at such times and places as the commission deems necessary. Most jurisdictions require reasonable public notice; in Canada and Saskatchewan, notice must be given at least 60 days and 30 days, respectively, before the hearings. In these two jurisdictions, any person interested in making a presentation to the commission is required to express that interest in writing to the secretary of the commission within a specified time. All electoral boundaries commissions are required to report their recommendations to the House of Commons or to a Legislative Assembly. In Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon, a preliminary report is also required. In most cases, the law is explicit that new legislation must be introduced to implement the commission's recommendations. The jurisdictions of Canada, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Yukon require boundary changes to come into force either upon dissolution of Parliament or the Legislative Assembly, or before the following election. In all other jurisdictions, the date that the new boundaries come into effect is specified in the legislation authorizing the boundary changes. As a matter of practice, however, this also occurs upon the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly or before the next election.
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| Table B.1 Frequency of redistribution and criteria for determining boundaries | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1According to Ontario's Representation Act, 1996, the electoral boundaries are the same as those established by the federal redistribution process.
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| Table B.2 Electoral boundaries commissions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1 According to Ontario's Representation Act, 1996, the electoral boundaries are the same as those established by the federal redistribution process.
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| Table B.3 Public hearings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Table B.4 Submission of report to Parliament or Legislative Assembly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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