Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 146, Number 36: SUPPLEMENT

September 8, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FEDERAL ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES COMMISSION FOR THE PROVINCE OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

PROPOSAL

Part Ⅰ — Introduction

Mandate of the Commission

Each decade a commission is established in the province to undertake a review of the federal electoral districts. Such reviews occur nationwide and are a legislated mechanism to ensure that the population shifts that naturally occur are periodically taken into account. The shifts in demographics can affect the distribution of voting rights, and this is subject to review after each decennial census. The Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3 (the Act) sets out the procedure for the review.

In early 2012, the Honourable Gordon L. Campbell was appointed as Chair of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island. In addition, the Honourable Armand DesRoches and Mr. Eugene Murphy were appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons to serve as Commission members, effective February 21, 2012.

The commissions of each province work separately to achieve the following consistent objectives:

  • propose a new electoral map for their province by considering such criteria as average population numbers, communities of identity and interest, historical patterns of an electoral district, and geographic size of electoral districts;
  • consult with Canadians through public hearings;
  • submit a report on their considerations and propose an electoral map to the House of Commons;
  • consider objections from members of the House of Commons; and
  • prepare a final report outlining the electoral boundaries for their province.

It is important to note that commissions consider the input received from Canadians and members of the House of Commons when determining the boundaries. However, as independent bodies, they make all final decisions as to where these boundaries will lie.

The decennial census of the population of the Province of Prince Edward Island was taken in 2011, and pursuant to the provisions of the Act, the Chief Statistician of Canada reported that the population was then fixed at 140,204. The province is divided into four (4) electoral districts, designated as Cardigan, Charlottetown, Egmont and Malpeque. In Prince Edward Island the designated number of electoral districts is protected by legislation, and despite varying electoral quotas across the country, the province is guaranteed four seats.

The Act provides that the population of each electoral district shall correspond as nearly as possible to the electoral quota for the province. The Prince Edward Island electoral quota is 35,051 inhabitants per electoral district. It is, however, necessary to take into consideration certain factors stated in section 15 of the Act. That section defines the applicable factors for redistribution as follows:

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

  • (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
  • (b) the commission shall consider the following in determining reasonable electoral district boundaries:
    • (i) the community of interest or community of identity in or the historical pattern of an electoral district in the province, and
    • (ii) a manageable geographic size for districts in sparsely populated, rural or northern regions of the province.

Factors for Consideration

In reviewing the legislated factors, the Commission has determined that manageable geographic size is not a relevant consideration in the Province of Prince Edward Island. The key consideration is to achieve a close proximity to the electoral quota. The 2011 Census revealed that the population of each electoral district in the province is within 2.72% of the current electoral quota. This is a highly desirable variance range and would only be disrupted by the Commission for very compelling reasons.

The previous commission had recommended changes to the electoral district boundaries which, upon reflection, have done a good job of establishing strong voter parity while accounting for the community of interest, community of identity, and the historical pattern of the electoral districts in the province.

Part Ⅱ — The Commission’s Proposal

Proposed Changes

The Commission proposes no changes to the electoral district boundaries.

When the existing electoral boundaries were created in 2002, there were negative variances from the electoral quota of -4.67% and -2.25% in the electoral districts of Charlottetown and Malpeque respectively. These electoral districts were continuing to show the most population growth, and the 2002 commission anticipated that those negative variances would diminish even further over the next decade. Our current numbers have validated that expectation, and today’s Commission has the following variances to consider.

Population Quota: 35,051
Federal Electoral District Population 2011 Variance
Cardigan 36,005 2.72%
Charlottetown 34,562 -1.40%
Egmont 34,598 -1.29%
Malpeque 35,039 -0.03%

Given the insignificant variances arising from the 2011 Census data, the Commission sees no reason to adjust the current boundaries. There have been no observable shifts in communities of interest or identity, nor has there been any recent change in the historical pattern of the electoral districts. The Commission is of the belief that the current system is working effectively.

Public Contributions Invited

The Commission recognizes that this proposal does not advance change; however, public comments are welcomed to assist the Commission in ensuring that the obligations of the Act are fully discharged.

Part Ⅲ — Public Hearings

Notice of Sittings for the Hearing of Representations

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island, pursuant to the Act, will hold sittings for the hearing of representations on the matter of the proposed electoral districts for the province at the following times and places:

  • (1) ELMSDALE, Westisle Composite High School, Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 7–9 p.m.
  • (2) SUMMERSIDE, Parkside Elementary School, Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 7–9 p.m.
  • (3) CHARLOTTETOWN, Charlottetown Rural High School, Thursday, October 11, 2012, 7–9 p.m.
  • (4) MORELL, Morell Regional High School, Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 7–9 p.m.
  • (5) HUNTER RIVER, Central Queens Elementary School, Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 7–9 p.m.

If no submissions to make representations at a hearing are received by the posted deadline, the Commission may cancel the hearing upon notice to the public.

In the event that any of the hearings at the above-noted times must be postponed as a result of unforeseen circumstances, the postponed hearing shall be automatically rescheduled at the same location one week later. In accordance with section 18 of the Act, the Commission has made rules governing sittings for the hearing of representations, and these are set out in Appendix I.

In accordance with subsection 19(3) of the Act, a map has been prepared showing the division of the province into electoral districts and indicating the representation and names of each electoral district, together with the boundaries of each electoral district, all of which are set out in Appendix II.

In accordance with subsection 19(5) of the Act, and subject to Rule 4 as hereinafter provided, no representation will be heard by the Commission at its sittings unless notice in writing has been given stating the name and address of the person who seeks to make the representation and indicating concisely the nature of the representation, the interest of such person, the official language preference and accommodation needs they may have.

Such notice must be given within twenty-three (23) days from the date of publication of the last advertisement. It must be received no later than October 1, 2012, and sent to:

Ms. Michele Dorsey
Commission Secretary
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Prince Edward Island
70 Kent Street, Suite 100
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
C1A 1M9
E-mail: pei-ipe@rfed-rcf.ca
Fax: 1-855-726-4106
Telephone: 902-367-3312 or 1-855-726-4105

Notices may also be submitted electronically by completing the required form online. Please go to www.federal-redistribution.ca and click on Prince Edward Island > Public Hearings for updated information on making a submission.

Dated at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, this 20th day of July, 2012.

THE HONOURABLE GORDON L. CAMPBELL
Chair
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission
for the Province of Prince Edward Island

Appendix I — Rules of Procedure for the Commission

The Commission is guided by the following rules in the hearing of public representations.

Hearing of Representations

Under and by virtue of the powers conferred by the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3, and of all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island makes the following rules:

1. These rules may be cited as the “Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island (Hearing of Representations) Rules 2012”.

2. In these rules:

  • (a) “Act” means the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3;
  • (b) “advertisement” means the advertisement published in accordance with subsection 19(2) of the Act giving notice of the times and places of sittings to be held for the hearing of representations;
  • (c) “Chair” includes the Deputy Chair;
  • (d) “Commission” means the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island as established by proclamation on February 21, 2012;
  • (e) “map” means the map published with the advertisement showing the proposed division of the province into electoral districts;
  • (f) “representation” means a representation made in accordance with section 19 of the Act by an interested person as to the division of the province into electoral districts and the name proposed to be given to each electoral district;
  • (g) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Commission; and
  • (h) “sitting” means a sitting held for the hearing of representations in accordance with section 19 of the Act.

3. Sittings shall be held and representations shall be made in a manner established by the Commission from time to time.

4. (1) All persons wishing to make a representation to the Commission at any sitting should notify the Secretary in writing within twenty-three (23) days from the date of the publication of the last advertisement, giving:

  • (a) the name and address of the person who seeks to make the representation; and
  • (b) a concise statement of the nature of the representation and of the interest of such person.

(2) The person signing the notice shall also state at which one of the places named in the advertisement he or she wishes his or her representation to be heard.

5. If, when the notice in writing of a representation is received by the Secretary, the person signing the notice has not stated the place at which he or she wishes his or her representation to be heard, the Secretary shall, in writing, ask that person at which one of the places set out in the advertisement he or she wishes to be heard.

6. (1) Two members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the holding of a sitting.

(2) If it appears to the Chair of the Commission that a quorum cannot be present at a sitting at any place named in the advertisement, or for any other valid reason, the Chair may postpone that sitting to a later date and the Secretary shall advise any person who has given notice of his or her intention to make representations to the Commission that the Commission will hear his or her representation at the later date named.

7. If the hearing of a representation cannot be completed within the time allowed, the Chair may adjourn the sitting to a later date.

8. The Commission shall have the power to waive any requirement that it deems necessary in the public interest.

9. Any interested person requiring further particulars concerning the function of the Commission or any public hearing may contact:

Ms. Michele Dorsey
Commission Secretary
Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for
Prince Edward Island
70 Kent Street, Suite 100
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
C1A 1M9
Telephone: 902-367-3312 or 1-855-726-4105
E-mail: pei-ipe@rfed-rcf.ca

Appendix II — Map, Proposed Boundaries and Names of Electoral Districts

There shall be in the Province of Prince Edward Island four (4) electoral districts, named and described as follows, each of which shall return one member.

In the following descriptions:

  • (a) all cities, towns, counties, communities, islands and Indian reserves lying within the perimeter of the electoral district are included unless otherwise described;
  • (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 January 1, 2011; and
  • (c) lot numbers and boundaries are referenced to Meacham’s 1880 Atlas.

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

Cardigan

(Population: 36,005)

(Map 1)

Consisting of:

  • (a) the County of Kings;
  • (b) that part of the County of Queens comprised of: lots 35, 36, 37, 48, 49, 50, 57, 58, 60 and 62; the Town of Stratford; and
  • (c) Governors Island and all other islands adjacent to the County of Kings and to the above-mentioned lots.

Charlottetown

(Population: 34,562)

(Map 1)

Consisting of the City of Charlottetown.

Egmont

(Population: 34,598)

(Map 1)

Consisting of:

  • (a) that part of the County of Prince comprised of: lots 1 to 17 inclusive; the Community of Sherbrooke; the City of Summerside; Lennox Island Indian Reserve No. 1; and
  • (b) the islands of Hog, Bird, Holman and all other islands adjacent to the above-mentioned lots.

Malpeque

(Population: 35,039)

(Map 1)

Consisting of:

  • (a) that part of the County of Queens comprised of: lots 20 to 24 inclusive, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 65 and 67; the Town of Cornwall; the Resort Municipality of Stanley Bridge, Hope River, Bayview, Cavendish and North Rustico; the communities of Brackley, Miltonvale Park, Union Road, Warren Grove and Winsloe South; Rocky Point Indian Reserve No. 3;
  • (b) that part of the County of Prince composed of: lots 18, 19, 25 to 28 inclusive, excepting the Community of Sherbrooke and the City of Summerside; and
  • (c) the islands of St. Peters, Courtin, Little Courtin, Ram and all other islands adjacent to the above-mentioned lots.