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New lJi Nouveau Brunswick Towards a New Electoral Map for New Brunswick FIRST REpORT The Representation and Electoral Boundaries Commission JULY 1992 New.iIi Nouveau Brunswick Towards a New Electoral Map for New Brunswick FIRST REPORT the Representation and Electoral District Boundaries Conunission JULY 1992 The Representation and Electoral District Boundaries Commission 364 Argyle Street P.O. Box 6000 Fredericton, NB E3B 5Hl Tel.: 1-8O().561-3336 (506) 457-7333 Fax: (506) 453-7343 ISBN 1-55048-664-0 JULY 1992 Representation and La commission sur Electoral District la representation et Boundaries la delimitation des Commission circonscriptions electorales 364 Argyle Street 364. rue Argyle P.O. Box 6000. Fredericton. C.P. 6000. Fredericton New Brunswick. BB 5Hl Nouveau·Brunswick. BB 5Hl Tel. 1·800-561·3336 Tf!l.: 1-800·561·3336 (506) 457·7333 (506) 457·7333 Fax: (506) 457·7343 T4!lkopieur: (506)457·7343 JUly 15, 1992 Mr. David Peterson Clerk ofthe Legislative Assembly ofthe Province ofNew Brunswick Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B5H1 Dear Sir.' Pursuant to Order-in-CoundI91-174, we are pleased to submit the recommendations ofthe Representation andElectoral District Boundaries Commission. Our report, toWARDSA NEWELECIORAL MAP FOR NEWBRUNSWICK, represents the Commission's views andfindings concerning thefirst part ofour mandate. We shall await the response ofthe Select Committee ofthe Legislature as wepreparefor the second andfinalphase ofour mandate. Mr.JusticeWilliamL M. Creaghan Mr. Justice Bemard A\ean Co-CbairjJerSon Co-CbairjJerSon Nicole 1b~rla.ult C1aire Doiron Frederick D. Toole Mabel Groom Co-chain Co-pn1lidents Members Membrea 'Executive Directeur Director g4!n4!ral. justice William Creaghan janice L Clarice. Claire Doiron, Mabel Groom justice Bemard A. jean Niwle Th~riaul[, Frederick D. Toole ThooGagnon The First Report ofthe Representation and Electoral District Boundaries Commission 4 Towards a New Electoral Map/or New Brunswick Table of Contents IN1'B.ODUCI10N ••..........................................................................................................................................7 I. TIlE Q)Ml\fISSION............................................................................................................................ 9 Mandate .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Process .............................................................................................................................................................9 Principles...................................................................................................................................................... 10 H. HIsroRY .........................................................................................................................................13 ID. R.EPREs~noN FAcrORS ......••...................................••.........................•...................••.............15 Number Of Ridings .................................................................................................................................... 15 Average Number ofVoters ..................................................................................................................... 15 JJeviation Factor ........................................................................................................................................ 16 IV. .ABORlG'IN'.AI.. REPRES~noN .................................................................................................17 Other Jurisdictions .................................................................................................................................... 17 Aboriginal Response ................................................................................................................................. 18 Non·Aborlginal Response ........................................................................................................................ 18 Issues.............................................................................................................................................................. 18 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 19 .APPEN'DICES •.•••.••••....••.•....••••....••••....•••••...••••....••••..•..•••...•••••....••••....••..•••••...••••....•...••••.•••................•....... 21 Table I· Current Number ofVoters in Each Electoral District ................................................... 21 Table II· N.B. Elections, 1974-1991: Enumerated Voters by Riding/Comparison with Provincial Average .................................... 22 Table III - Distribution ofLegislature Seats ...................................................................................... 23 Table IV -Representation b:Y Jurisdiction .......................................................................................... 24 Table V - Redistribution and Changes in Electoral Boundaries in New Brunswick Changes b:Y Year and Number ofSeats..............................................................................................25 Table VI - Status Aboriginal Population -New Brunswick.......................................................... 26 Table VII - Province ofNew Brunswick and Counties Population Growth 1921 - 1991 .......................................................................................................... 27 A<:XN'O'WI..EOO~ ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 28 5 Tbe First Report ofthe Representation and Electoral District Boundaries Commission 6 Towards a New Electoral Map for New Brunswick Introduction TheNewBrunswick Legislature has had 58seats since Our work is taking place in a climate very different 1967.Theelectoral districts werelast redrawn in 1975. from that of previous studies. From coast to coast, The 1974 Representation and Bectoral Districts Bounda Canadians have beenengaged in intensive soul-search ries Commission adjusted boundaries and divided ing as they consider the very nature of this country. each multiple member constituency into a nwnberof Nation-building has becomea preoccupation.linguis single member districts. However, the 1974 Commis tic, cultural and aboriginal issues, the rapid pace of sionwas notgiven a mandate to changethe nwnberof change, regional disparities and global requirements elected members. are all part ofthe mix. Ever since the currentelectoralmapappeared 17 years The task of this Commission is specific: to make ago, there have been calls to reswne the work of recommendationsonthenumberofelectoral districts, improving the province's system ofrepresentation. In the average number of voters per constituency, the theinteIVeningyears, there have been manychanges appropriate allowable variation in voter population legal, demographic and attitudinal-that have had a between districts, and the best way to ensure New significant impact on the work ofthis Commission. Brunswick's aboriginal people representation in the Legislature. But, as political scientist John C. Courtney Inthis period, theCbarlerojRigbts andFreedoms has points out, "electoral boundary readjustments intro been entrenched in our Constitution. The Supreme duce us as well as any process to the vagaries and CourtofCanada has ruled on a challenge to redistribu subtletiesofrepresentation."1 These vagaries and sub tion in Saskatchewan and in so doing has enunciated tleties include such factors as history, tradition and principles for drawing electoral boundaries. Some community ofinterest. As we leamed in ourresearch, areasofNewBrunswick have undergone majorpopu there are few universal principles when it comes to lation shifts. "Rationalization" and "downsizing" now determining electoral representation. appear to be part of the public expectation. At the same time, there is a general concern for a greater This report summarizes the first phase ofour work. degree offairness, equity and efficiency. 1 John C Courtney, ·Parliament and representation' tbe unfinished agenda ofelectoral redistributions," Canadian Journal 0/ Political Science, voL 21, 675·90 (December 1988) 7 The First Report ofthe Representation and Electoral District Boundaries Commission 8 Towards a New Electoral Map for New Bnmswick I. The Commission Commissioners d the best approacb to ensuring tbat New Brunswtck's aborlgtnal people are gtven The seven membersofthe Representation andElectoral representation tn the Legislattve Assembly tn a District Boundaries Cnmmission represent the broad mannerstmllar to the approach currently spectnun of New Brunswick life. Our backgrounds are employed tn the State ofMatne." diverse. Wecomefrom different regions ofthe province and different cultUral and linguistic traditions. Some of This report ofthe first phase ofthe Cnmmission's work, us are from the countryand somefrom the city. Many of now being presented to the Oerk of the Legislative us have beenactive in NewBrunswick's political parties. Assembly, will be referred to a Select Cnmmittee (here Weare menandwomenwho have brought togetherthe after referred to as the "Select Cnmmittee") of the range ofconcerns to be found among New Brunswick's Legislature. Within 120 days thatcommittee is to report electorate. In the best democratic