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Boundary changes leave Chilliwack intact

Proposed new Chilliwack-Hope federal electoral riding unites Chilliwack, but cuts out Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, and other communities

After nearly a year of debate, Chilliwack is most likely to remain as one federal electoral riding, the government confirmed on Monday when it released the "almost final" results of its boundary review.

"I'm very happy that the commission heard the people of Chilliwack who indicated very strongly to me, and to the commission directly, that they wished to see Chilliwack remain united in one riding," says Mark Strahl, MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon.

The proposed Chilliwack-Hope riding would cover a fraction of the land of the current Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon riding, but would keep Chilliwack united. The riding's new 92,734 population size would include areas south of Highway 1 such as Garrison Crossing, which were previously at risk of being lopped off and joined to Abbotsford.

Most of the current Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon riding's land would form a new Mission--Matsqui–Fraser Canyon riding, and absorb many communities north of the Fraser River, all the way from Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs, to Ashcroft. Pemberton, meanwhile, would join a new West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country riding, tying the town to nearby Whistler.

MPs now have a chance to comment on the report at the House of Commons.

"It's my understanding, based on past redistribution exercises, that the maps don't change an awful lot," says Strahl.

The final boundaries will be confirmed before the provincial election.

The review is part of a regular 10-year re-assessment of federal electoral boundaries to reflect population growth.

akonevski@theprogress.com
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