The Constituency Boundaries Commission filed its Interim Report with the Clerk of the Executive Council on the 18th of July. The Commission is composed of The Honourable Justice Neil Gabrielson of Saskatoon, Mr. Stuart Pollon of Regina, and Mr. Harry Van Mulligen of Regina.
The Commission was created to make recommendations with respect to 59 proposed constituencies south of a northern dividing line. The existing northern seats of Athabasca and Cumberland are set by legislation with their existing boundaries and are not within the mandate of the Commission. The Interim Report of the Commission outlines its recommendations and a schedule for public hearings.
The Commission's recommendations are based on 2011 census data of the population 18 years of age and older provided by Statistics Canada together with an approved formula set out in The Constituency Boundaries Act, 1993, to calculate the constituency population quotient for each of the proposed 59 constituencies. The constituency population quotient is 13,059 with an allowable variance of 5%. The maximum number of persons allowed within a proposed constituency is 13,712 and the minimum is 12,406.
Commission Recommendations
The Commission recommends that Regina is to be divided into 12 constituencies and Saskatoon is to be divided into 14 constituencies. One constituency in each city will be composed of both urban and rural populations. The remainder of the southern area or portion of the province is to be divided into 33 proposed constituencies.
The names of the proposed constituencies, populations and percentage variations from the quotient are set out in Appendix "B" of the Interim Report.
The Commission will hold hearings throughout the province in order to consider presentations from interested groups and individuals. The seven sessions are scheduled between September 4 and September 12, 2012. Those wishing to make a presentation to the Commission at a hearing must provide written notice and summary 15 days prior to the scheduled hearing. More information can be found at the Saskatchewan Provincial Boundaries website at www.saskboundaries.com
