WHEREAS the British Columbia Electoral Boundaries Commission, in its Preliminary Report of August 15, 2007, has recommended an increase in the overall number of elected representatives in British Columbia from 79 to 81, while at the same time proposing a net reduction of one MLA each from the Kootenays, the North, and from the Cariboo-Thompson regions of British Columbia; AND WHEREAS the effectiveness of elected representatives is already compromised in rural British Columbia as it is inherently more geographically diverse, with significant transportation and climatic challenges among other factors that already limit the access of constituents to their elected representatives: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities support the overall increase in elected representatives, but also a reinstatement of the three elected representatives, one each for Northern British Columbia, the Kootenays and the Cariboo-Thompson as being necessary for equitable, accessible and effective representation; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UBCM submit such position to the Electoral Boundaries Commission, the Chief Elections Officer of British Columbia and the provincial government.
MINISTRY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL On October 24, 2007, the government introduced Bill 39, the Electoral Boundaries Commission Amendment Act 2007. The bill would have directed the Electoral Boundaries Commission to retain the existing number of electoral districts in regions identified in its preliminary report as the North, Cariboo-Thompson and Columbia-Kootenay, and to recommend boundaries for a total of 87 electoral districts. The bill was not passed during the session, so the Commission will be completing its work based on its original mandate. Government remains committed to ensuring effective representation for all regions of the province, and will await the final report of the Commission before taking further action.