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Airdrie to have its own provincial election constituency

The Alberta government has officially created four new electoral divisions and changed a number of boundaries throughout the province.

The Alberta government has officially created four new electoral divisions and changed a number of boundaries throughout the province.

The changes were made, based on recommendations by the Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC), to reflect the growing population across the province.

Effective at the next election, the boundaries of Airdrie-Chestermere, one of the province’s most populous constituencies, have been changed.

The city of Airdrie and surrounding area, with a population of more than 40,000, will now have its own representation.

“The new constituency that I will be running for is called Airdrie,” said Airdrie-Chestermere MLA Rob Anderson. “And rightly so, we are a major city in Alberta. We need our own constituency. However, it is always sad to lose half of a constituency, there are so many good people in Chestermere and Langdon and those areas aren’t going to be part of the riding.”

Alberta’s population has increased by one million people since the last electoral change in 1986.

The EBC had a year to review existing boundaries and population densities, and did so through public hearings and research. The Commission completed this work and presented its report to the Legislative Assembly last June. Other changes include adding two ridings to Calgary, one to Edmonton and one to Fort McMurray. Adding the new constituencies will cost $2 to $3 million per year, according to Anderson, who expressed frustration at the expense.

“We don’t need four more ridings,” said Anderson. “Why not just redraw the boundaries, so everyone’s population goes up a bit? Why are we spending millions on four more MLAs when we have more MLAs than BC does? I would rather see that money go into getting more teachers or nurses. It is another example of the government having the wrong priorities.”


Airdrie Today Staff

About the Author: Airdrie Today Staff

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