Supplement — May 26, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Part Ⅰ — Introduction and Overview
  2. Part Ⅱ — Recommended Changes and Reasons
  3. Part Ⅲ — Notice of Sittings
  4. Part ⅠV — Notice of Representation
  5. Schedule A — Maps, Proposed Boundaries and Names of Electoral Districts
  6. Schedule B — Rules Regarding the Public Hearing of Representations 
  7. Schedule C — Comparison of Variance
  8. Maps

FEDERAL ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES COMMISSION FOR
THE PROVINCE OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

PROPOSAL

Part Ⅰ — Introduction and Overview

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (the Commission) was established on February 21, 2012, pursuant to the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3 (the Act). The Commission is composed of Julie Eveleigh, Member, Herbert Clarke, Deputy Chairperson, and the Honourable Keith Mercer, Chairperson.

The Commission’s task is to consider and report on the readjustment of the boundaries of the electoral districts of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (the Province) as required upon completion of the 2011 decennial census.

The 2011 decennial census established the population of the Province at 514,536. In accordance with subsection 14(1) of the Act, the Chief Electoral Officer has determined that the census and section 51 of the Constitution Act, 1867 dictate the representation of the Province in the House of Commons remaining at seven (7) members, therefore requiring seven electoral districts.

The Act provides that the population of each electoral district shall correspond as closely as reasonably possible to the electoral quota for the province, which is determined by dividing the provincial population by the number of electoral districts. The electoral quota for the Province according to that calculation is 73,505. The Act further provides that the Commission may deviate from that quota having regard to the factors of community of interest or identity, historical patterns and manageable geographic size. Section 15 of the Act specifically states:

15. (1) In preparing its report, each commission for a province shall, subject to subsection (2), be governed by the following rules:

  1. (a) the division of the province into electoral districts and the description of the boundaries thereof shall proceed on the basis that the population of each electoral district in the province as a result thereof shall, as close as reasonably possible, correspond to the electoral quota for the province, that is to say, the quotient obtained by dividing the population of the province as ascertained by the census by the number of members of the House of Commons to be assigned to the province as calculated by the Chief Electoral Officer under subsection 14(1); and
  2. (b) the commission shall consider the following in determining reasonable electoral district boundaries:
    1. (i) the community of interest or community of identity in or the historical pattern of an electoral district in the province, and
    2. (ii) a manageable geographic size for districts in sparsely populated, rural or northern regions of the province.

(2) The commission may depart from the application of the rule set out in paragraph (1)(a) in any case where the commission considers it necessary or desirable to depart therefrom

  1. (a) in order to respect the community of interest or community of identity in or the historical pattern of an electoral district in the province, or
  2. (b) in order to maintain a manageable geographic size for districts in sparsely populated, rural or northern regions of the province,

but, in departing from the application of the rule set out in paragraph (1)(a), the commission shall make every effort to ensure that, except in circumstances viewed by the commission as being extraordinary, the population of each electoral district in the province remains within twenty-five percent more or twenty-five percent less of the electoral quota for the province.

In its application of the Act, including section 15, the Commission is governed by the Constitution Act, 1982 — in particular, by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees Canadian citizens the right to vote in federal and provincial elections. That right has been interpreted by the Supreme Court of Canada, which has thereby established constitutional criteria for the drawing of electoral boundaries.

In Reference re Provincial Electoral Boundaries (Sask.) [1991] 2 S.C.R. 158 (Carter), the Supreme Court of Canada held that the purpose of the right to vote is not equality of voting power but the right to effective representation. Effective representation contemplates recognition of factors such as geography, community history, community interests and minority representation. Departures from voter parity may be justified on the ground “that they contribute to better government of the populace as a whole, giving due weight to regional issues within the populace and geographic factors within the territory governed” (Carter, para. 32).

In developing this proposal, bearing in mind the guidelines of the Act and the principles stated in Carter, the Commission proceeded in the following manner. The Commission first reviewed the population in each electoral district of the Province and the changes in each from the previous decennial census, illustrated in Table 1 below.

Table 1
Newfoundland and Labrador Population Change, 2001 to 2011
Electoral District Population Change
2001 2011 Number Percent
Avalon 79,548 78,908 -640 -0.8%
Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor 89,743 84,735 -5,008 -5.6%
Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte 76,467 71,563 -4,904 -6.4%
Labrador 27,864 26,728 -1,136 -4.1%
Random—Burin—St. George’s 76,089 69,192 -6,897 -9.1%
St. John’s East 81,007 100,559 +19,552 +24.1%
St. John’s South—Mount Pearl 82,212 82,851 +639 +0.8%
Total Province 512,930 514,536 +1,606 +0.3%

The Commission then considered whether there were “extraordinary circumstances”, as referenced in subsection 15(2) of the Act, that would warrant moving outside the ± factor of 25 percent of the electoral quota for the Province in respect of any proposed electoral district.

For the past 25 years, the Labrador portion of the Province has constituted a separate electoral district though its population has been significantly below the provincial electoral quota. The 2011 decennial census found the population of the Labrador electoral district to be 26,728. That population is widely dispersed over an extensive land mass, which continues to pose serious transportation challenges for its residents and elected representatives. Residents of that electoral district, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, and whether residing in small coastal communities, in or near the major service centre in Upper Lake Melville or in the major natural resource development towns of Labrador West, are all known to assert the existence of a shared community of interest.

Having regard to its history, geography, community of interest and the strength of its distinct Aboriginal communities, the Commission views the circumstances of the Labrador portion of the Province as being extraordinary and as warranting the continuance of a separate electoral district.

The Commission’s next task was to determine whether there was a need to adjust the remaining electoral boundaries in the Province based on the 2011 decennial census.

From 1991 to 2001, the population of the Province declined by 55,545. As indicated in Table 1, the 2011 decennial census showed a stabilization in the total population of the Province but a shift of population to the Avalon Peninsula, in particular to the electoral district of St. John’s East. The electoral districts that experienced significant declines were Random—Burin—St. George’s (-9.1%), Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte (-6.4%) and Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor (-5.6%).

Consideration was given to the variances for each electoral district from the electoral quota for the Province. The continuance of Labrador as a separate electoral district has an effect upon application of that electoral quota to the remaining six districts. The population of the Labrador district is 26,728, which is 46,777 below the provincial electoral quota of 73,505. Clearly, the remaining six districts must have that 46,777 distributed amongst them.

To address this issue, the Commission found it useful to calculate an electoral quota for those remaining six electoral districts as follows: 514,536 – 26,728 = 487,808 ÷ 6 = 81,301. That quota of 81,301 (the reference quota) is well within the 25 percent variance authorized by subsection 15(2) of the Act. Given the requirement of relative parity of voting power as tempered by the other factors stated in section 15 of the Act, the reference quota assisted the Commission in addressing the implications of its decision respecting Labrador. Table 2 provides details regarding variances for those six districts.

Table 2
Variances from Statutory Electoral Quota (73,505) and from Reference Quota (81,301)
Electoral District Population 2011 Variance from 73,505 Variance from 81,301
Avalon 78,908 +7.4% -2.9%
Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor 84,735 +15.3% +4.2%
Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte 71,563 -2.6% -12.0%
Random—Burin—St. George’s 69,192 -5.9% -14.9%
St. John’s East 100,559 +36.8% +23.7%
St. John’s South—Mount Pearl 82,851 +12.7% +1.9%

Recognizing the principal criterion of relative parity of voting power, the Commission also considered many factors pertaining to the concepts of community of interest or identity, historical patterns and manageable geographic size. These included:

  • transportation links;
  • access to government services and commercial, social and recreational amenities;
  • existing municipal boundaries and the boundaries of regional planning or economic development areas;
  • population trends;
  • the desirability of minimizing changes to existing electoral boundaries.

The Commission recognizes that matters such as community of interest or identity, historical patterns and manageable geographic size are open to differing interpretations as they apply generally or to particular electoral districts. We welcome submissions on these matters.

Following its consideration of the factors noted above, the Commission concluded that changes in the boundaries and names of certain electoral districts are required to better promote voter parity while recognizing other factors including community of interest and geographic realities. The proposed changes with supporting rationale are detailed in Part Ⅱ below. Technical boundary descriptions and maps are attached as Schedule A to this proposal.

Part Ⅱ — Recommended Changes and Reasons

The 2011 decennial census indicated that the percentage of the population who reside on the Avalon Peninsula continues to grow. As of the census date the three current electoral districts on the Avalon Peninsula, with a population of 262,318, exceed their aggregate quota (3 x 73,505 = 220,515) by 41,803, and the remaining three districts on the island portion of the Province, with a population of 225,490, exceed their aggregate quota by 4,975. In applying the reference quota (81,301), the three electoral districts on the Avalon Peninsula would exceed their aggregate quota by 18,415, and the other three districts would be under their aggregate quota by a similar amount.

In view of the above, the Commission believes it must consider changes to certain electoral districts to promote voter parity while recognizing the other factors, including community of interest and geographic realities. Improving voter parity necessitates that a part of the Avalon Peninsula, logically the western part, be included in the district to the west. Of itself, this could lead to further adjustments in other electoral districts.

The Commission notes that the electoral districts of Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte and Random—Burin—St. George’s are the least populated on the island portion of the Province. The Commission further observes that the district of Random—Burin—St. George’s is somewhat anomalous as there are no highway, air or scheduled ferry links between the eastern and western portions of that district.

The Commission has accordingly decided to propose changes to certain electoral districts that it considers will better satisfy the guidelines of section 15 of the Act. These will now be explained in geographic order, moving from the west coast of the island portion of the Province to the east coast and Avalon Peninsula.

The electoral district of Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte had a census population of 71,563. The population of the area has been declining. The Commission believes that the proper adjustment to the boundaries of this district would be (a) to remove the Baie Verte Peninsula; and (b) to add the Stephenville-Port au Port area and the southwest coast, including Channel-Port aux Basques. Additionally, the electoral district should include the southwest coast from Channel-Port aux Basques to Francois. The main transportation links to the latter area are the Burgeo Highway, the highway from Channel-Port aux Basques to Rose Blanche, and local ferry services. The proposed adjustments would result in a district of 87,592 residents with, in our view, strong commercial and transportation links.

To reflect the creation of an electoral district that spans the west coast of the island, the Commission proposes that the name of the district be Long Range Mountains as that range is a prominent feature from the southern part of the district to its northern extremity.

The electoral district of Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor had a census population of 84,735. The Commission believes that the Baie Verte area, including Springdale, should properly be included in the electoral district generally encompassing central Newfoundland when one considers historical ties, access to government services such as health, and commercial links. The other area that in our view should be included is the south coast area of Bay d’Espoir and the Connaigre Peninsula. That area now links to the rest of the island via a highway to the Trans-Canada Highway at Bishop’s Falls, and the area’s stronger commercial links and access to government services are through central Newfoundland rather than the Burin Peninsula.

To offset the additions to this electoral district, bearing in mind voter parity, the Commission proposes that the areas locally known as Bonavista North, up to and including Carmanville, and Bonavista South should be moved to the adjoining electoral district to the east. The result of the foregoing changes would create a district with a population of 78,911.

A change in the name of this electoral district is obviously required. The Commission proposes that the name be Bay d’Espoir—Central—Notre Dame, recognizing the south-north realignment of this district and the retention of its central Newfoundland core.

The electoral district of Random—Burin—St. George’s had a census population of 69,192. The proposed changes outlined above clearly indicate the Commission’s view that major changes to this district would better ensure effective representation. A major portion of this district, being the Burin Peninsula and the Clarenville-Random area, would be joined by other predominately rural areas, namely Bonavista North, up to and including Carmanville; Bonavista South, including the entire Bonavista Peninsula; and the western Avalon, comprising the Isthmus of Avalon up to and including Long Harbour, Whitbourne, Trinity South and the part of Conception Bay north of Salmon Cove.

The proposed electoral district would bring together many areas that were included in the historical district of Bonavista—Trinity—Conception. In our view the Burin Peninsula appears more closely aligned to the Clarenville and western Avalon areas than to the south coast of the Province when one considers commercial ties, government services and transportation links.

The population of the proposed electoral district would be 75,336, the lowest for any of the proposed districts on the island portion of the Province. It includes the area around Long Harbour and Trinity South, where the growth prospects are brighter with the construction and operation of a large industrial plant at Long Harbour. Further adjustments to increase the population of this proposed district would likely involve either (a) inclusion of the Placentia Bay and St. Mary’s Bay regions; or (b) inclusion of the Carbonear and Victoria areas. If the population of the northeast Avalon Peninsula continues to increase significantly, those or other adjustments may require future scrutiny.

The Commission proposes that this electoral district be designated Bonavista—Burin—Trinity in recognition of its historic peninsulas and bays.

With respect to the adjoining electoral district of Avalon, which had a census population of 78,908, the Commission has proposed the removal of the areas identified above that are to be included in the electoral district of Bonavista—Burin—Trinity. This change would effectively remove about 16,300 from the population of the current Avalon district. That would permit the logical adjustment to the eastern boundary of the district to accommodate the growth in population in the electoral district of St. John’s East.

Much of the growth on the Avalon Peninsula, and in St. John’s East in particular, has been in the Town of Conception Bay South and the adjoining Town of Paradise. The electoral district of Avalon currently includes part of the Town of Conception Bay South. It is proposed that all of that town now be placed in the Avalon district together with those portions of the Town of Paradise that are south of Topsail Road and west of St. Thomas Line.

The population of the electoral district of Avalon including these proposed adjustments would be 80,056. No change is proposed for the name of this district.

The electoral district of St. John’s East saw its population increase to 100,559 in the 2011 Census, and adjustments are therefore required. Our proposal adjusts the boundaries of that district within the towns of Conception Bay South and Paradise as set forth above. No further changes are proposed. The population of the district would then be 83,062. The previous commission had proposed that this electoral district be named St. John’s North. We also believe this is a more accurate description than the historical name of St. John’s East and recommend accordingly.

The remaining electoral district of St. John’s South—Mount Pearl, with a census population of 82,851, does not require any boundary adjustments. Its population total has not changed significantly. The Commission does not propose any changes to its name.

For electoral districts on the island portion of the Province, the boundary adjustments outlined above would result in populations with a ± factor of 8 percent of the reference quota of 81,301, as illustrated in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Variances from Reference Quota (81,301)
Proposed Island Electoral Districts

Electoral District

Population
2011

Variance
from 81,301

Bonavista—Burin—Trinity

 75,336 -7.3%

Bay d’Espoir—Central—Notre Dame

 78,911 -2.9%

Avalon

 80,056 -1.5%

St. John’s South—Mount Pearl

 82,851 +1.9%

St. John’s North

 83,062 +2.2%

Long Range Mountains

 87,592 +7.7%

As stated earlier in this proposal the Commission does not propose any change to the electoral district of Labrador.

Attached as Schedule A are the descriptions of the boundaries of the proposed seven electoral districts, which are illustrated on the maps attached thereto.

The population of each proposed electoral district and its variance from the electoral quota of 73,505 for the Province are as follows:
Proposed Electoral District Population 2011 Variance from 73,505
Avalon 80,056 +8.9%
Bay d’Espoir—Central—Notre Dame 78,911 +7.4%
Bonavista—Burin—Trinity 75,336 +2.5%
Labrador 26,728 -63.6%
Long Range Mountains 87,592 +19.2%
St. John’s North 83,062 +13.0%
St. John’s South—Mount Pearl 82,851 +12.7%

The variances from the electoral quota of the Province are significantly affected by the continuance of the Labrador electoral district. The populations of all electoral districts except Labrador are greater than that quota but within the variance permitted under section 15 of the Act. (see footnote 1) The Commission proposes the foregoing as a proper means for effective representation of the population of the Province.

Part Ⅲ — Notice of Sittings

The Commission is required by the Act to hold sittings to hear representations by interested persons in respect of the proposed electoral districts. For this purpose the Commission proposes to sit at the following places and times, subject to receipt of notices of representation as provided for below.

  1. Gander, Sinbad’s Hotel, Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
  2. Grand Falls-Windsor, Mount Peyton Hotel, Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
  3. Stephenville, Holiday Inn, Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
  4. Corner Brook, Glynmill Inn, Friday, July 6, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
  5. Clarenville, St. Jude Hotel, Monday, July 16, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
  6. Whitbourne, Lions Club, Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
  7. Conception Bay South, Lions Club, Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
  8. St. John’s, St. Teresa’s Parish Hall, Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. and, if necessary, Friday, July 20, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
  9. Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Hotel North Two, Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.

Part ⅠV — Notice of Representation

The Commission encourages representations from interested persons or groups. Those desiring to make a representation should take note of the Commission’s rules regarding public hearings as set out in Schedule B. Any person or group desiring to make a representation should give written notice in accordance with subsection 19(5) of the Act, which states:

No representation shall be heard by a commission at any sittings held by it for the hearing of representations from interested persons unless notice in writing is given to the secretary of the commission within 23 days after the date of the publication of the last advertisement under subsection (2), stating the name and address of the person who seeks to make the representation and indicating concisely the nature of the representation and of the interest of the person.

Notices should be received as soon as possible but no later than June 20, 2012. A notice can be sent to the Commission using the contact information below. It may also be submitted electronically using the online form at www.federal-redistribution.ca under Newfoundland and Labrador > Public Hearings.

The Commission may hear a representation without notice having been given if the Commission considers it to be in the public interest to do so.

Contact Information

Ms. Madonna Morris
Commission Secretary
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Newfoundland and Labrador

Office address:
John Cabot Building
10 Barter’s Hill
St. John’s, NL

Mailing address:
354 Water Street
P.O. Box 1835, St. John’s C
St. John’s, NL A1C 5P9

Fax (toll-free): 1-855-726-4104
E-mail: nl-tnl@rfed-rcf.ca
Tel. (toll-free): 1-855-726-4103

A copy of the Commission’s proposal can be obtained, free of charge, upon request by e-mail, telephone, mail or fax to the Commission Secretary.

Dated at St. John’s, in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, this 26th day of May, 2012.

JUSTICE KEITH J. MERCER
Chairperson
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the
Province of Newfoundland and Labrador

SCHEDULE A

Maps, Proposed Boundaries and Names of Electoral Districts

The Commission recommends that the seven (7) electoral districts of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador be named and described as follows.

In the following descriptions:

  1. (a) reference to “road”, “street”, “route”, “highway”, “river”, “brook”, “lake”, “harbour”, “bay”, “pond”, “gut” or “channel” signifies the centre line of said feature unless otherwise described;
  2. (b) wherever a word or expression is used to denote a territorial division, such word or expression shall indicate the territorial division as it existed or was bounded on the first day of January 2011;
  3. (c) the translation of the term “street” follows Treasury Board standards, while the translation of all other public thoroughfare designations is based on commonly used terms but has no official recognition; and
  4. (d) all coordinates are in reference to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

The population figure of each electoral district is derived from the 2011 decennial census.

Avalon

(Population: 80,056)

(Map 1)

All that area consisting of that part of the Avalon Peninsula on the Island of Newfoundland lying southerly of a line described as follows: commencing at a point in the Eastern Channel at latitude 47°25′49″N and longitude 54°03′34″W; thence easterly in a straight line to a point in the Eastern Channel at latitude 47°26′11″N and longitude 53°57′51″W; thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point in Long Harbour at latitude 47°24′13″N and longitude 53°55′10″W; thence easterly in a straight line to the southwest limit of the Town of Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights at the mouth of Rattling Brook; thence southeasterly along said limit to the southernmost point of the limit of said town; thence easterly in a straight line to the southwesternmost point of the limit of the Town of Whitbourne; thence generally easterly and northerly along said limit to the northeasternmost point of the limit of said town; thence northeasterly in a straight line to the southwesternmost point of the limit of the Town of Spaniard’s Bay; thence generally northerly along the west limit of said town to the northwesternmost point of the limit of said town; thence northerly in a straight line to a point in Hound Pond at latitude 47°46′36″N and longitude 53°22′23″W; thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point in Broad Cove Gull Pond at latitude 47°49′47″N and longitude 53°12′51″W; thence easterly in a straight line to the mouth of Spout Cove Brook; thence easterly in a straight line to a point in Conception Bay at latitude 47°47′31″N and longitude 52°58′26″W; thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point in Conception Bay at latitude 47°35′58″N and longitude 53°06′22″W; thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point in Conception Bay at latitude 47°32′07″N and longitude 53°02′09″W; thence southeasterly in a straight line to the northwest limit of the Town of Conception Bay South at the mouth of Long Pond Harbour; thence northeasterly along the limit of said town to the limit of the Town of Paradise; thence northeasterly along the limit of said town to the northeast limit of said town; thence southeasterly along said limit to St. Thomas Line; thence southerly along St. Thomas Line to Topsail Road; thence easterly along said road to the southeastern limit of the Town of Paradise; thence southerly and westerly along said limit to the eastern limit of the Town of Conception Bay South; thence generally southerly and westerly along said limit to the southern limit of the City of St. John’s; thence generally southeasterly along said limit to its production in the Atlantic Ocean.

Including Iona Islands, Gull Island, East Green Island, North Green Island, Harbour Island, Fox Island, Great Colinet Island and all other islands adjacent to the shoreline of the above-described area.

Bay d’Espoir—Central—Notre Dame

(Population: 78,911)

(Map 1)

All that area consisting of that part of the Island of Newfoundland described as follows: commencing at the mouth of Chaleur Bay; thence generally northwesterly along said bay to the end of said bay; thence westerly in a straight line to the most southerly point of Dry Pond at approximate latitude 47°50′25″N and approximate longitude 57°31′17″W; thence northerly in a straight line to the mouth of Lloyds River at the westernmost extremity of Red Indian Lake; thence northerly in a straight line to a point in Hinds Lake at latitude 48°57′49″N and longitude 56°59′36″W; thence northerly in a straight line to the southeasternmost point of the limit of the Town of Hampden; thence generally northerly along the easterly limit of said town to the northeasternmost point of the limit of said town; thence easterly in a straight line to a point in White Bay at latitude 49°34′31″N and longitude 56°50′24″W; thence generally northeasterly along said bay to a point in the Atlantic Ocean at latitude 50°32′16″N and longitude 55°30′00″W; thence generally southerly and easterly to a point in the Atlantic Ocean at latitude 49°54′20″N and longitude 53°31′58″W; thence generally southwesterly to a point in Hamilton Sound at latitude 49°29′31″N and longitude 54°12′17″W; thence southwesterly in a straight line to the northeasternmost point of the limit of the Town of Carmanville; thence generally southwesterly along the northerly and westerly limits of said town to the southernmost point of said town; thence southerly in a straight line to a point in Nine Mile Pond at latitude 49°08′48″N and longitude 54°22′10″W; thence southeasterly in a straight line to Home Pond at latitude 48°57′06″N and longitude 54°14′05″W; thence southerly in a straight line to the bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route No. 1) spanning Middle Brook north of Square Pond; thence southwesterly in a straight line to Long Harbour; thence generally southwesterly along said harbour to the mouth of the said harbour, being a point in Fortune Bay at approximate latitude 47°34′03″N and approximate longitude 55°06′34″W; thence generally southwesterly along said bay to a point at latitude 47°13′00″N and longitude 55°59′52″W; thence generally northwesterly to the point of commencement.

Including Brunette Island, Sagona Island, St. John’s Island, Pass Island, Doone Island, Millers Island, Granby Island, Horse Islands, Exploits Islands, North and South Twillingate Islands, New World Island, Change Islands, Fogo Island, Perry Island, Eastern Indian Island, Grandfather Island, Green Island, Noggin Island, Gander Island, Herring Island and all other islands adjacent to and within the shoreline of the above-described area.

Bonavista—Burin—Trinity

(Population: 75,336)

(Map 1)

All that area consisting of that part of the Island of Newfoundland and that part of the Avalon Peninsula on the Island of Newfoundland described as follows: commencing at a point in Fortune Bay at the mouth of Long Harbour at approximate latitude 47°34′03″N and longitude 55°06′34″W; thence generally northeasterly along Long Harbour to the end of said harbour; thence northeasterly in a straight line to the bridge on the Trans-Canada Highway (Route No. 1) spanning Middle Brook north of Square Pond; thence northerly in a straight line to Home Pond at latitude 48°57′06″N and longitude 54°14′05″W; thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point in Nine Mile Pond at latitude 49°08′48″N and longitude 54°22′10″W; thence northerly in a straight line to the southernmost point of the limit of the Town of Carmanville; thence generally northwesterly and northerly along the westerly and northerly limits of said town to the northeasternmost point of said town; thence generally northeasterly to a point in Hamilton Sound at latitude 49°29′31″N and longitude 54°12′17″W; thence generally northeasterly to a point in the Atlantic Ocean at latitude 49°54′20″N and longitude 53°31′58″W; thence generally southerly to a point in Bonavista Bay at latitude 48°39′56″N and longitude 53°31′24″W; thence generally northeasterly to a point in the Atlantic Ocean at latitude 48°43′57″N and longitude 53°00′00″W; thence generally southerly to a point in Conception Bay at latitude 47°47′31″N and longitude 52°58′26″W; thence westerly in a straight line to the mouth of Spout Cove Brook; thence westerly in a straight line to a point in Broad Cove Gull Pond at latitude 47°49′47″N and longitude 53°12′51″W; thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point in Hound Pond at latitude 47°46′36″N and longitude 53°22′23″W; thence southerly in a straight line to the northwesternmost point of the limit of the Town of Spaniard’s Bay; thence generally southerly along the westerly limit of said town to the southwesternmost point of the limit of said town; thence southwesterly in a straight line to the northeasternmost point of the limit of the Town of Whitbourne; thence generally southerly and westerly along the easterly and southerly limit of said town to the southwesternmost point of said town; thence westerly in a straight line to the southwesternmost point of the limit of the Town of Long Harbour-Mount Arlington Heights; thence generally northwesterly along the southwesterly limit of said town to the mouth of Rattling Brook where it joins Long Harbour; thence westerly in a straight line to a point in Long Harbour at latitude 47°24′13″N and longitude 53°55′10″W; thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point in the Eastern Channel at latitude 47°26′11″N and longitude 53°57′51″W; thence westerly in a straight line to a point in the Eastern Channel at latitude 47°25′49″N and longitude 54°03′34″W; thence generally southerly and westerly to a point in Placentia Bay at latitude 46°47′55″N and longitude 54°40′55″W; thence westerly to a point in the Atlantic Ocean south of Point May at latitude 46°47′45″N and longitude 55°57′27″W; thence northerly to a point in Fortune Bay at latitude 47°13′00″N and longitude 55°59′52″W; thence generally northeasterly along said bay to the point of commencement.

Including Gull Island, Woody Island, Billy Island, Flaherty Island, White Island, Wadham Islands, Funk Island, Cottel Island, Penguin Islands, Cabot Islands, Keans Island, Flowers Island, Random Island, Ireland’s Eye Island, Baccalieu Island, Crawley Island, Brine Islands, Iron Island, Red Island, Long Island, Merasheen Island and all other islands adjacent to and within the shoreline of the above-described area.

Labrador

(Population: 26,728)

(Map 1)

Consisting of all that part of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador known as Labrador, including Belle Isle.

Long Range Mountains

(Population: 87,592)

(Map 1)

All that area consisting of that part of the Island of Newfoundland lying westerly and southerly of a line described as follows: commencing at the mouth of Chaleur Bay; thence generally northwesterly along said bay to the end of said bay; thence westerly in a straight line to the most southerly point of Dry Pond at approximate latitude 47°50′25″N and approximate longitude 57°31′17″W; thence northerly in a straight line to the mouth of Lloyds River at the westernmost extremity of Red Indian Lake; thence northerly in a straight line to a point in Hinds Lake at latitude 48°57′49″N and longitude 56°59′36″W; thence northerly in a straight line to the southeasternmost point of the limit of the Town of Hampden; thence generally northerly along the easterly limit of said town to the northeasternmost point of the limit of said town; thence easterly in a straight line to a point in White Bay at latitude 49°34′31″N and longitude 56°50′24″W; thence generally northerly along said bay to the Atlantic Ocean.

Including Ramea Islands, Sops Island, Bell Island, Groais Island of the Grey Islands, Quirpon Island, St. John Island and all other islands adjacent to the shoreline of the above-described area.

St. John’s North

(Population: 83,062)

(Map 2)

All that area consisting of:

  1. (a) the towns of Bauline, Flatrock, Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, Pouch Cove, Torbay and Wabana;
  2. (b) that part of the Town of Paradise lying northeasterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the easterly limit of the Town of Paradise with Topsail Road; thence westerly along said road to St. Thomas Line; thence generally northerly along said line to the westerly limit of the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s; and
  3. (c) that part of the City of St. John’s lying northwesterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the westerly limit of the City of St. John’s with Kenmount Road and coincident with the north limit of the City of Mount Pearl; thence northeasterly and easterly along said road, Freshwater Road and Long’s Hill to Gower Street; thence northeasterly along said street to Kings Bridge Road; thence northerly along said road to Rennie’s River; thence generally easterly along said river, Quidi Vidi Lake and the channel known locally as Quidi Vidi Gut to Quidi Vidi Harbour.

Including Bell Island, Little Bell Island, Kellys Island and all the other islands adjacent to the shoreline of the above-described area.

St. John’s South—Mount Pearl

(Population: 82,851)

(Map 2)

All that area consisting of:

  1. (a) that part of the City of St. John’s lying southeasterly of the southeasterly limits of the towns of Conception Bay South and Paradise, and southeasterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the westerly limit of the City of St. John’s with Kenmount Road coincident with the north limit of the City of Mount Pearl; thence northeasterly and easterly along said road, Freshwater Road and Long’s Hill to Gower Street; thence northeasterly along said street to Kings Bridge Road; thence northerly along said road to Rennie’s River; thence generally easterly along said river, Quidi Vidi Lake and the channel known locally as Quidi Vidi Gut to Quidi Vidi Harbour;
  2. (b) the City of Mount Pearl; and
  3. (c) the Town of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove.

Including all islands adjacent to the shoreline of the above-described area.

SCHEDULE B

Rules Regarding the Public Hearing of Representations

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador makes the following rules under and by virtue of section 18 of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3.

RULES

  1. These rules may be cited as the “Rules of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (Hearing of Representations), 2012”.
  2. In these rules:
    1. (a) “Act” means the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3;
    2. (b) “advertisement” means a notice or notices published as directed in subsection 19(2) of the Act setting forth the times and the places where the sittings shall be held for the hearing of representations;
    3. (c) “Chairperson” includes the Deputy Chairperson;
    4. (d) “Commission” means the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador established by proclamation dated February 21, 2012;
    5. (e) “Commission Secretary” means the secretary to the Commission;
    6. (f) “notice” means a written expression of intention to make a representation in compliance with subsection 19(5) of the Act;
    7. (g) “representation” means any expression of opinion presented by any interested person at a duly convened sitting of the Commission relating to the division of the Province into electoral districts as proposed by the Commission;
    8. (h) “sitting” means a public hearing convened by the Commission in accordance with and for the purpose set out in section 19 of the Act.
  3. A person giving notice shall state therein:
    1. (a) at which of the places designated in the advertisement such person wishes to make a representation;
    2. (b) the language of preference that the person wishes to use and any special needs he or she may have.
  4. If a person giving notice fails to comply with the provisions of Rule 3, the Commission Secretary shall ascertain from such person the place at which such person wishes to appear to make a representation, his or her language of preference and any special needs.
  5. Rules 3 and 4 are made for administrative purposes only and do not operate to prevent a person who has given notice from making the representation at any place of sitting of the Commission set out in the advertisement, subject only to the power of the Commission pursuant to Rule 6 to cancel a sitting at that place.
  6. If it appears that no one will make a representation at any place designated by the advertisement as a place of sitting, the Commission, or the Chairperson thereof, may cancel the sitting at such place.
  7. If a quorum cannot be present at a place of sitting on the date set by the advertisement, the Commission, or the Chairperson thereof, may postpone that sitting to a later date.
  8. The Commission Secretary shall inform any person who has given notice, but has not been heard, of such cancellation or postponement. Public notice shall also be given by the Chairperson or the Commission by such means as they consider adequate.
  9. Sittings shall be held in public, and representations shall be made with due regard to formal procedures.
  10. Only one person shall be heard in the presentation of a representation at a sitting, unless the Commission, in its discretion, decides otherwise.
  11. At each sitting the Commission shall decide the order in which the representations are heard.
  12. The Commission may hear an oral representation by conference call with the consent of the person wishing to make a representation.
  13. The Commission will consider any written submissions made in compliance with these rules and the Act, and will make public such submissions at one or more of the sittings.
  14. Two members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the holding of a sitting.
  15. When the hearing of a representation cannot be completed within the time allotted, the Commission may adjourn the sitting to a later date.
  16. The Commission shall have the power to waive any requirement that the Commission deems to be a defect in form and not in substance.
  17. The Commission may hear a representation without notice having been given if the Commission considers it to be in the public interest to do so.

SCHEDULE C

Comparison of Variance from Reference Quota of 81,301 for Both Current
Electoral Districts and Comparable Proposed Electoral Districts
Current Electoral District Variance Proposed Electoral District Variance
Avalon -2.9% Avalon -1.5%
Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor +4.2% Bay d’Espoir—Central—Notre Dame -2.9%
Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte -12.0% Long Range Mountains +7.7%
Labrador -67.1% Labrador -67.1%
Random—Burin— St. George’s -14.9% Bonavista—Burin—Trinity -7.3%
St. John’s East +23.7% St. John’s North +2.2%
St. John’s South—Mount Pearl +1.9% St. John’s South—Mount Pearl +1.9%