Community
Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission cuts rural representation for more urban representation.
The Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission submitted it’s final report on October 19 2017 to the legislature.
The only change Red Deer will see is the unification of Deer Park into Red Deer South. But that is not the whole story.
It was not a unanimous report as there was some disagreement among the members. The commission recommends keeping the number of ridings at 87. So?
Since the 2010 Electoral Boundaries Commission reported, Alberta has experienced a net increase in population of over 14%, by far the fastest rate of growth of any Canadian province. However, that increase in population has not been uniform in all areas of the province.
Red Deer maintained and surpassed the growth rate of the province until 2015. Between 2010 and 2015 the province grew 11.2% while Red Deer grew 11.9% but in 2016 Red Deer declined to 10.8% from 2010, while the province continued on to hit 14%.
The report talks about the migration from rural areas to the urban centres but Red Deer is seeing the opposite trend. Red Deer is declining in population while smaller communities like Blackfalds, Penhold and Sylvan Lake are growing. Red Deer claims to be Alberta’s third largest city but is not keeping up with other cities in Alberta. I digress.
To accommodate growth patterns 3 urban ridings were created while 3 rural ridings were cut.
One member of the commission, Gwen Day, did not support the cut in rural ridings. She suggested the government should have allowed the commission to recommend an increase in the total number of constituencies instead of keeping it at 87. “I don’t think it is the best and wisest way to handle this situation,” she said.
Nathan Cooper, interim leader of the United Conservative Party, said the recommended changes would make it more difficult for lawmakers from rural areas to represent their constituents.
“The commission recommends creating a total of three new constituencies in Calgary, Edmonton and the Airdrie-Cochrane area. It also says three rural ridings should be cut by consolidating some.
• Creation of a new electoral division to the immediate north and west of Calgary, to be called Airdrie-Cochrane,
to account for population growth at a rate above that of the province as a whole in both of Airdrie and Cochrane.
• Creation of an additional electoral division in the City of Calgary, to be called Calgary-North East, to account
for that city’s population growth at a rate above that of the province as a whole.
• Creation of an additional electoral division in the City of Edmonton, to be called Edmonton-South, to account
for that city’s population growth at a rate above that of the province as a whole.
While eliminating 3 rural ridings by;
• Consolidation of four electoral divisions into three in the central northeast area of the province (north and east
of Edmonton) to account for the population in those areas having grown at a rate below that of the province as a
whole; those existing four electoral divisions are Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills, Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater,
Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville and Bonnyville-Cold Lake.
• Consolidation of five electoral divisions into four in the central west area of the province (north of Red Deer
and west of Edmonton) to account for the population in those areas having grown at a rate below that of the
province as a whole; those existing five electoral divisions are Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, West
Yellowhead, Drayton Valley-Devon, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne and Stony Plain.
• Consolidation of seven electoral divisions into six in the eastern side of the province (south of Calgary and east
of Highway 2) to account for the population in those areas having grown at a rate below that of the province as
a whole; those existing seven electoral divisions are Battle River-Wainwright, Drumheller-Stettler, Strathmore-
Brooks, Little Bow, Cardston-Taber-Warner, Cypress-Medicine Hat and Vermilion-Lloydminster.
The election will be in 2019 and looks like we will have fewer rural ridings which seem to be of more conservative in voting trends and we have more urban ridings which seem to be of more progressive in voting trends.
Do you think our more progressive government will accept and implement this report? Let me guess……
L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed $70 billion AI data centre in MD of Greenview could launch an incredible new chapter for western Canadian energy
A Potpourri of the World’s Unexposed Scandals
Australian doctor who criticized COVID jabs has his suspension reversed
Massive growth in federal workforce contributes to Ottawa’s red ink
-
Alberta1 day ago
Proposed $70 billion AI data centre in MD of Greenview could launch an incredible new chapter for western Canadian energy
-
Brownstone Institute5 hours ago
A Potpourri of the World’s Unexposed Scandals
-
Alberta1 day agoYour towing rights! AMA unveils measures to help fight predatory towing
-
Economy3 hours agoThe White Pill: Big Government Can Be Defeated (Just Ask the Soviet Union)
-
conflict2 hours agoTrump has started negotiations to end the war in Ukraine
-
COVID-1954 mins agoEsteemed UK Doctor pleads with governments to cancel COVID-19 vaccines
-
COVID-196 hours agoBiden HHS extends immunity for COVID shot manufacturers through 2029
-
Bruce Dowbiggin4 hours agoMLB’s Exploding Chequebook: Parity Is Now For Suckers