Electoral boundaries commission releases schedule of public hearings
Sept. 20, 2005
FREDERICTON (CNB) - New Brunswickers will soon have an opportunity to give their opinions into changes to the electoral districts, as the commission redrawing the boundaries prepares to tour the province.
The Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission (EBRC), an independent commission
The commission will visit 12 communities during the month of October to gather input in preparation for its preliminary report, which is due Nov. 20, 2005. The commission will visit:
· Moncton: Oct. 11, 1 p.m. - Beaver Curling Club
· Fredericton: Oct. 12, 10:30 a.m. - Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre
· Saint John: Oct. 14, 9 a.m. - Saint John City Hall, Council Chambers
· Richibucto: Oct. 24, 1 p.m. - Motel l'Habitant
· Miramichi: Oct. 24, 7 p.m. - NBCC
· Inkerman: Oct. 25, 10 a.m. - Centre communautaire
· Bathurst: Oct. 25, 7 p.m. - CCNB
· Campbellton: Oct. 26, 10 a.m. - Memorial Civic Centre
· Edmundston: Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. - Musée Historique du Madawaska
· Grand Falls: Oct. 27, 9:30 a.m. - Motel Près-du-Lac
· Woodstock: Oct. 27, 2 p.m. - NBCC
· Saint Andrews: Oct. 28, 10 a.m. - NBCC
Those interested in presenting a brief to the commission should contact the office at 506-444-5864 or commission@gnb.ca
The Commission's co-chairs, Justice Margaret Larlee and Justice Brigitte Robichaud, are looking forward to hearing from New Brunswickers.
"New Brunswick's electoral districts have not been reviewed since 1993. Since then, new legislation has been adopted, and it mandates that the population be within 10 per cent of the electoral quotient, compared with the previous 25 per cent deviation allowed provincially," Larlee said. "It is important to us to hear from people in the communities that have been affected by the population shift in the province."
Robichaud added that the commission must not only reflect the population shifts, but also balance such issues as effective representation of rural areas and linguistic communities. "For this reason, we do need to hear from New Brunswickers," she said.
The commission was a key recommendation from the final report of the Commission on Legislative Democracy, and will be the first to redraw boundaries under the new, independent process. It was established by the Electoral Boundaries and Representation Act
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Kilfoil, Communications New Brunswick, 506-444-5070; 506- 470-3178 (cell).
24 comments:
There are 55 electoral districts in New Brunswick and every few years the boundaries are changed because of changing populations. Each electoral district should have about 10,000 voters. Some of the ridings around Moncton have almost twice that many and some in the province have many less - Fundy Isles have less than 4000. These hearings will allow everyone who has something to say to be heard.
The first post just about says it all. McKenna did the same thing, the only thing that really saved him getting clobbered was re-aligning the boundaries. After winning all the seats with only 60% of the votes the fear was that NOBODY would vote for him on the fear that the same thing would happen. He was saved by the cantankerous conservatives who couldn't get along and he benefitted from the same thing Chretien did-vote splitting.
I don't know about the conjectures above, but the reality is that if the boundaries were going to be based on population there would be no representation for northern New Brunswick. Obviously they can't do that, so they have to dance around like monkeys and pretend that they are going to be doing all things for all people. Then in the end, like all decisions, six guys sitting in a room will decide everything.
And like all committee's it provides a chance for all the hopeful New Brunswickers to be distracted and pretend to be taking part in 'democracy'.
Frankly I'm disgusted that people have to try and interpret a news release from the Government of NB to the media and to the people of NB. That's why people hire communications professionals isn't it? They're supposed to put it into plain language not bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo.
On the discussion side, like I've said,before, I'd like to see 40-42 MLA's and they all get a 10% raise. That's less than 20,000 people per MLA. Seems reasonable.
Bernie Lord will make every effort to survive but politically he is terminally ill.
So far he has done everything to aggravate that illness.
Public input in redrawing boundaries? Bull. As someone said above few guys in a room will make the final decision indifferent to what public said.
Some interesting stuff:
"Seriously, they (Tories) treat us like dirt. There's no sense in being nice to them, I've learned that ...," Stuart Jamieson as in Telegraph. I am not a Liberal and may be Liberal will do the same when in power. However, if it is any consolation to Mr. Jamieson, Lord Government treats all NBers in that manner. Bernard Lord thinks he is an emperor and rests of us are his subject.
"I don't like hearing comments like that and I certainly wouldn't make comments like that ...We are supposed to be honourable people and it's difficult to comment beyond that." Says Rodney Weston.
Yes Mr. Weston you are SUPPOSED to be honourable but you are not and neither is your boss Bernard Lord.
I'll have to disagree that Weston isn't honourable. Anyone in his riding who has met him even if they didn't vote for him will tell you he is. The Saint John Fundy riding was one of the lucky ones. Weston and Jamieson are both good guys and good MLA's. They couldn't go wrong either way.
Hey! It is Jamieson and Allaby who said that Weston is a snake and a liar. I simply agree that it is the nature of the Lord government. Read today's Telegraph Jouranal.
Hmmm, I though Jamieson was above that type of political rhetoric. It doesn't really change my opinion of him as a man but I never like to see politicians sink to those depths.
Your friend Bernard Lord started the sinking including Weston. It is an age old custom to invite local MLA's, indifferent to political affiliations, to such a major event as announcement for the refurbishment of Point Lepreau. Bernard Lord and cronies have sunk so low that they have gone below the bottom of the sea. It is obvious.
Now I am no fan of McKenna but when he became ambassador to U.S. and met Bush. Lord got so jealous that he went all the way to Washington D.C. and White House. Only Dick Chaney could give him few minutes of his time. Pathetic.
Then of course some time ago when McKenna invited Bush Sr. to a golf game. Lord had to do it too so he invited Bush Sr. to Larry's Gulch at taxpayers expense. More pathetic and immature.
Sorry man! But that this depth of your leader.
I'm starting to get the feeling you don't like Lord.
Seriously though, maybe you're right about Lepreau. Obviously cordial relationships between the Liberal and Tory MLA's is lousy and since it takes two to tango, both share the blame. It certainly hasn't always been like this. During the Official Languages Act, Lord gave his seat to Louis Robichaud and at the opening of the 4-lane highway, Lord called Sheldon Lee out of the crowd to join him on the stage with the other VIP's. Political opportunism, you say? Maybe, but it also showed class. It's too bad the MLA's can't work together. My theory, shared by many obviously is that the Tories are fearful and the Liberals smell blood so neither one is interested in playing nice. Too bad. It doesn't help either one.
Now, now. He gave his seat to Louis Robichaud, not for Liberal's sake, but to an icon. It was self-promotion stunt. I know all about that one and observed it verrry closely. Sheldon Lee is retired and well-respected fromer minister of transportation. Not someone who will be critical of Lord at this time. Again it was a self-promtion stunt. Not much of a class but usual narcissism as someone pointed out. Other than you there are not many Lord-lovers here.
For a person who did not vote for him you sure are a great defender of Bernie Lord on every issue. Make up your mind.
Spinks, are you sure you are not spokesperson for Lord. You are praising him all over the place again.
7:17. You're wrong on the Sheldon Lee part. In 2001, Lee was not only MLA, he was the Liberal transportation critic, so he was very critical of Lord. Still a classy move in my book and it was in Lee's as well and he even said he was impressed by the gesture at the time. His words, not mine.
How can you confirm that Sheldon Lee said that? Even that time he was elderly politicain and not much of a threat as Jamieson and the other politcian in Saint John are. Once again you are comparing oranges with apples.
It was in some papers at the time and just because Lee was elderly or anyone else is elderly for that matter do I think they're ineffective. Lee propbably knows more about roads than some people who built them. He caused Lord lots of headaches on the Sussex interchange before and after the opening of the highway. Lord did a nice thing in that particular case - period.
May be that was the way to get him off his back. Also Lee was no threat. It was quite well-known that he was going to retire. Big deal. Again self-absorbed than being classy.
Sorry to hear you have something against elderly politicians. Lee was very effective and a "threat" if you will right to his retirement. In fact he still often offers his advice on transportation issues to the Liberal Party. I don't know if they take it or not but they would be wise to listen to his wisdom.
It still does not show any classiness on the part of your hero Bernard Lord.
I'm still not sure what your beef is with Lee but whatever.
Do not change the topic. Where is the classiness?
Mr. Lee is an outstaning person. It is all in your head. Nothing was said against Mr. Lee.
At 7:39pm, you said he was elderly and insinuated that that made him no threat. Sounds like a slam to him to me. You obviously forget the Sussex interchange issue that Lee led AFTER October 2001. A huge pain for Lord and one of Lee's shining moments even at the end of his career. He produced great stuff.
I'm not sure why you can't say "I don't care for Lord, but inviting the opposition critic on stage unannounced for the opening of the 4-lane was a nice thing to do." Even Lee thought so, I'm not sure why you can't.
First you are stuck in history. What happened in 2001 is old news. Mr. Lee did not pose any threat as it was well-known he would not re-offer. How is it demeaning to Mr. Lee. You need a cup of coffee real bad or brain medicine.
Yep, it's history but I did state what happened. You chose to disagree with the facts and (I'll give you the benefit of the doubt), you unintentionally slam Sheldon Lee as some type of "lame duck" politician because he was older. He did a great job on the Sussex interchange and his crusade undoubtedley led to many of the improvements seen there at great embarrassment to the Lord government and that was at the end of Lee's career. Lee was a good poltician. Lord showed some class by bringing him on the stage. If there's anything you wish to discuss on this further, I'm happy to oblige but I think it's been said.
It is still not clear what was said which was demeaning to Mr. Lee. It is all in your head. As far as Lord being classy, far from from it. He does not know the meaning of classy. However, he is your hero & it must hurt your feelings and you are struggling very hard to recover from it.
By the way now you have also started deciding when the discussion ends. You have appointed yourself moderator now, too. Man! Do you ever have problems.
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