Electoral Boundary Final Report
September 28, 2015
Electoral Boundary Final Report Respects Abbotsford Community Opinion.
When the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission released their preliminary report in March of this year the proposed voting map of Abbotsford looked radically different. Instead of using municipal boundaries, the Report proposed using Highway 1 and Highway 11 as major boundaries, separating parts of the City and joining them to portions of adjacent communities. The net effect would have significantly reduced the effective representation we now have in Victoria.
The Abbotsford Chamber made a detailed written submission to the Electoral Boundaries Commission in April outlining our concerns and made efforts to raise awareness of these concerns with other community stakeholders. Subsequently, the City of Abbotsford and numerous businesses, organizations and individuals expressed their opposition to the Commission.
On Thursday, September 24, 2015, the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission released their Final Report and, while the province is adding two new ridings, the redistribution has very little effect on the current Abbotsford ridings (see map attached). In the Report, the Commission acknowledged the volume of opinions received and stated, "in response to our preliminary proposals, we heard that Abbotsford does not share a strong community of interest with Chilliwack or western Langley."
"We are satisfied that the Commission has listened to the strong, united voice coming from our community and were pleased to have taken on this initiative," said Abbotsford Chamber President Josh Bach. "Based on the Final Report recommendations, we can continue to enjoy effective representation on local issues."
The proposed Abbotsford South largely follows the current electoral district boundaries, but includes the community of Aldergrove and the Township of Langley east of 248 Street. East of Sumas Way the boundary now follows Highway 1 to the Abbotsford/Chilliwack border.
The proposed Abbotsford West electoral district is similar to the current Abbotsford West, but extends further west to 264 Street and east to Sumas Way. The southern boundary follows South Fraser Way and Old Yale Road.
When the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission released their preliminary report in March of this year the proposed voting map of Abbotsford looked radically different. Instead of using municipal boundaries, the Report proposed using Highway 1 and Highway 11 as major boundaries, separating parts of the City and joining them to portions of adjacent communities. The net effect would have significantly reduced the effective representation we now have in Victoria.
The Abbotsford Chamber made a detailed written submission to the Electoral Boundaries Commission in April outlining our concerns and made efforts to raise awareness of these concerns with other community stakeholders. Subsequently, the City of Abbotsford and numerous businesses, organizations and individuals expressed their opposition to the Commission.
On Thursday, September 24, 2015, the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission released their Final Report and, while the province is adding two new ridings, the redistribution has very little effect on the current Abbotsford ridings (see map attached). In the Report, the Commission acknowledged the volume of opinions received and stated, "in response to our preliminary proposals, we heard that Abbotsford does not share a strong community of interest with Chilliwack or western Langley."
"We are satisfied that the Commission has listened to the strong, united voice coming from our community and were pleased to have taken on this initiative," said Abbotsford Chamber President Josh Bach. "Based on the Final Report recommendations, we can continue to enjoy effective representation on local issues."
The proposed Abbotsford South largely follows the current electoral district boundaries, but includes the community of Aldergrove and the Township of Langley east of 248 Street. East of Sumas Way the boundary now follows Highway 1 to the Abbotsford/Chilliwack border.
The proposed Abbotsford West electoral district is similar to the current Abbotsford West, but extends further west to 264 Street and east to Sumas Way. The southern boundary follows South Fraser Way and Old Yale Road.
The proposed Abbotsford-Mission electoral district contains the remainder of the City of Abbotsford north of Highway 1, the eastern part of Mission, the communities east of Mission to Harrison River and the Fraser Valley Regional District Electoral Area F. North of the Fraser
River only one very small change is proposed to the current Abbotsford-Mission electoral district boundaries at Stave Lake.
The report now goes forward to the Provincial legislature for approval.
The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization comprised of partnership with the business community, our mission is to represent, serve and connect our members to build and sustain a thriving business community in Abbotsford.
