Bill 31 to add new seats, change riding rules [Video]

A new bill from the ruling United Conservative Party (UCP) will add two new seats to Alberta and change how electoral boundaries are considered. 

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Bill 31, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, will make amendments to the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, among other pieces of legislation.

Electoral Boundaries Commission Act

The act outlines how the province’s constituencies are created to ensure each Albertan’s vote “has relatively the same effect.”

If passed, Bill 31 will direct the Electoral Boundaries Commission to create two new ridings in Alberta – for a total of 89 – and change what they may consider in doing so.

Constituencies are legislated to fall generally within more than or less than 25 per cent of the average population of all divisions – or around 56,192 constituents based on July’s population data.

The province said nine Alberta ridings currently contain more than 25 per cent …