Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 156, Number 19: Supplement 3
May 7, 2022
FEDERAL ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES COMMISSION FOR THE PROVINCE OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Proposal of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island
Introduction
Mandate of the Commission
Each decade, a commission is established in the province to undertake a review of the federal electoral districts. Such reviews occur nationwide and are a legislated mechanism to ensure that the population shifts that naturally occur are periodically taken into account. The shifts in demographics can affect the distribution of voting rights, and this is subject to review after each decennial census. The Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C., 1985, c. E-3 (the Act) sets out the procedure for the review.
The Commission consists of three people: the Honourable John K. Mitchell, who was appointed Chair of the Commission by the Chief Justice of Prince Edward Island, Don Desserud, professor of Political Science at the University of Prince Edward Island, and Kerri Carpenter, a lawyer with the law firm of Kerri Carpenter Law Office, who were appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
The commission of each province works separately to achieve the following consistent objectives:
- Propose a new electoral map for their province by considering such criteria as average population numbers, communities of identity and interest, historical patterns of an electoral district and geographic size of electoral districts
- Consult with Canadians through public hearings
- Submit a report on their considerations and propose an electoral map to the House of Commons
- Consider objections from members of the House of Commons
- Prepare a final report outlining the electoral boundaries for their province
It is important to note that commissions consider the input received from Canadians and members of the House of Commons when determining the boundaries. However, as independent bodies, they make all final decisions as to where these boundaries will lie.
The decennial census was taken in 2021 and it reported that the population was 154,331. The province is divided into four (4) electoral districts, designated as Cardigan, Charlottetown, Egmont and Malpeque. In Prince Edward Island, the designated number of electoral districts is protected by legislation and, despite varying electoral quotas across the country, the province is guaranteed four (4) seats.
The Act provides that the population of each electoral district shall correspond as nearly as possible to the electoral quota for the province. The Prince Edward Island electoral quota is 38,583 inhabitants per electoral district.
Factors for Consideration
It is necessary to take into consideration certain factors stated in section 15 of the Act. That section defines the applicable factors for redistribution as follows:
15(1) In preparing its report, each commission for a province shall, subject to subsection (2), be governed by the following rules:
- (a) the division of the province into electoral districts and the description of the boundaries thereof shall proceed on the basis that the population of each electoral district in the province as a result thereof shall, as close as reasonably possible, correspond to the electoral quota for the province, that is to say, the quotient obtained by dividing the population of the province as ascertained by the census by the number of members of the House of Commons to be assigned to the province as calculated by the Chief Electoral Officer under subsection 14(1); and
- (b) the commission shall consider the following in determining reasonable electoral district boundaries:
- (i) the community of interest or community of identity in or the historical pattern of an electoral district in the province; and
- (ii) a manageable geographic size for districts in sparsely populated, rural or northern regions of the province.
In reviewing the legislated factors, the Commission has determined that the geographic size mentioned under 15(1)(b)(ii) is not a relevant consideration in this small province. Rather, the key to effective representation is to achieve a close proximity to the electoral quota.
Proposed Changes
The 2012 redistribution resulted in variances from electoral quota of 2.72% in Cardigan, -1.4% in Charlottetown, -1.29% in Egmont and 0.03% in Malpeque. However, population growth and shifts since then have changed those variances to 3.33% in Cardigan, 0.59% in Charlottetown, -6.89% in Egmont and 2.98% in Malpeque.
The Commission is of the view that a variance of 10% between the electors in Egmont compared to Malpeque and Cardigan is too great for this small province. The Commission feels that by moving the boundaries of Egmont a little to the east and Cardigan a little to the west, we can bring the variances down to a desirable level and, at the same time, respect the community of interest and community of identity. We therefore propose to move the Egmont boundary to the east to include such communities as Lower Bedeque, North Bedeque, Central Bedeque and Bedeque, and to move the boundary of Cardigan to the west to include such communities as Grand Tracadie and Corran Ban. In this way, the variance from the electoral quota province-wide will range from approximately -2% to 2% as shown in the table below.
| Federal Electoral District | Population 2021 | Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Cardigan | 39,236 | 1.69% |
| Charlottetown | 38,809 | 0.59% |
| Egmont | 37,751 | -2.16% |
| Malpeque | 38,535 | -0.12% |
Notice of Sittings
| Location | Place of hearing | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summerside | Loyalist Country Inn & Conference Centre (Parlour Room), 195 Heather Moyse Drive | Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | 7 p.m. |
| Stanhope | Stanhope Place, 2784 Bayshore Road | Wednesday, June 8, 2022 | 7 p.m. |
| Virtual hearing | The link will be provided to participants | Thursday, June 9, 2022 | 7 p.m. |
If no submissions to make representations at a hearing are received by the posted deadline, the Commission may cancel the hearing upon notice to the public.
In the event that any of the hearings at the above-noted times must be postponed as a result of unforeseen circumstances, the postponed hearing shall be automatically rescheduled at the same location one week later. In accordance with section 18 of the Act, the Commission has made rules governing sittings for the hearing of representations, and these are set out in Appendix I.
In accordance with subsection 19(3) of the Act, a map has been prepared showing the division of the province into electoral districts and indicating the representation and names of each electoral district, together with the boundaries of each electoral district, all of which are set out in Appendix II.
In accordance with subsection 19(5) of the Act, and subject to rule 4 as hereinafter provided, no representation will be heard by the Commission at its sittings unless notice in writing has been given stating the name and address of the person who seeks to make the representation and indicating concisely the nature of the representation, the interest of such person, the official language preference and accommodation needs they may have.
Such notice must be given within 23 days from the date of publication of the last advertisement. It must be sent no later than May 25, 2022, to the following address:
Electoral Boundaries Commission for PEI
Attention: Tracey Olson, Commission Secretary
PO Box 458
Cornwall, PEI
C0A 1H0
Phone: 1‑855‑726‑4105
Phone (TTY): 1‑800‑361‑8935
Email: Tracey.Olson@redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca
Notices may also be submitted electronically by completing the required form online. Please go to redistribution2022.ca and click on Prince Edward Island and then on Public Participation for updated information on how to make a submission.
Dated at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, this 11 day of April, 2022.
The Honourable John K. Mitchell
Chair, Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island
APPENDIX 1 – Rules
The Commission is guided by the following rules in the hearing of public representations.
Hearing of Representations
Under and by virtue of the powers conferred by the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3, and of all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island makes the following rules:
1. These rules may be cited as the “Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island (Hearing of Representations) Rules 2022”.
2. In these rules:
- (a) “Act” means the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3;
- (b) “advertisement” means the advertisement published in accordance with subsection 19(2) of the Act giving notice of the times and places of sittings to be held for the hearing of representations;
- (c) “Commission” means the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for the Province of Prince Edward Island;
- (d) “map” means the map published with the advertisement showing the proposed division of the province into electoral districts;
- (e) “representation” means a representation made in accordance with section 19 of the Act by an interested person as to the division of the province into electoral districts and the name proposed to be given to each electoral district;
- (f) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Commission; and
- (g) “sitting” means a sitting held for the hearing of representations in accordance with section 19 of the Act.
3. Sittings shall be held and representations shall be made in a manner established by the Commission from time to time.
4. (1) All persons wishing to make a representation to the Commission at any sitting should notify the Secretary in writing within 23 days from the date of the publication of the last advertisement, giving:
- (a) the name and address of the person who seeks to make the representation; and
- (b) a concise statement of the nature of the representation and of the interest of such person.
(2) The person signing the notice shall also state in which one of the places named in the advertisement they wish their representation to be heard.
5. If, when the notice in writing of a representation is received by the Secretary, the person signing the notice has not settled the place at which they wish their representation to be heard, the Secretary shall, in writing, ask that person at which one of the places set out in the advertisement they wish to be heard.
6. (1) Two members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the holding of a sitting.
(2) If it appears to the Chair of the Commission that a quorum cannot be present at a sitting at any place named in the advertisement, or for any other valid reason, the Chair may postpone that sitting to a later date and the Secretary shall advise any person who has given notice of their intention to make a representation to the Commission that the Commission will hear their representation at the later date named.
7. If the hearing of a representation cannot be completed within the time allowed, the Chair may adjourn the sitting to a later date.
8. The Commission shall have the power to waive any requirement that it deems necessary in the public interest.
9. The same principles will apply for the virtual public hearings, as well as the following:
- The link to the virtual public hearings is not public as it will be shared with participants and observers who register with the Commission and to members of the media.
- The Commission will manage the agenda as well as speaking time and microphones of the participants.
- Participants will have the option to share their screen.
- Use of a headset by presenters is recommended.
- Video feed from presenters is optional and they may participate by telephone.
- Simultaneous translation will be available if a person wishes to make a representation in French and so advises the Secretary.
10. Any interested person requiring further particulars concerning the function of the Commission or any public hearing including the coordinates to the virtual public meeting may contact:
Electoral Boundaries Commission for PEI
Attention: Tracey Olson, Commission Secretary
PO Box 458
Cornwall, PEI
C0A 1H0
Phone: 1‑855‑726‑4105
Phone (TTY): 1‑800‑361‑8935
Email: Tracey.Olson@redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca
APPENDIX 2 – Map, Proposed Boundaries and Names of Electoral Districts
There shall be in the Province of Prince Edward Island four (4) electoral districts, named and described as follows, each of which shall return one member.
In the following descriptions:
- (a) reference to “bay,” “channel,” “drive,” “highway,” “road,” “route” or “river” signifies their centre line unless otherwise described;
- (b) all cities, towns, rural municipalities, communities, fire districts, resort municipalities, islands and Indian reserves lying within the perimeter of the electoral district are included unless otherwise described;
- (c) all First Nation territories lying within the perimeter of the electoral district are included unless otherwise described;
- (d) all offshore islands are included in the landward district unless otherwise described;
- (e) wherever a word or expression is used to denote a territorial division, such word or expression shall indicate the territorial division as it existed or was bounded on the first day of January, 2021;
- (f) all coordinates are in reference to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83);
- (g) the population figure of each electoral district is derived from the 2021 decennial census.
Cardigan
(Population: 39,236)
Consists of that part of the Province of Prince Edward Island lying easterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the northern boundary of the said province with the northwesterly corner of the Fire District of East River, Part 1; thence generally southeasterly and westerly along the western limit of said fire district in Tracadie Bay to Route 6; thence southerly along said route to the western limit of the Fire District of East River, Part 1 (Route 2, St. Peters Road); thence generally easterly and southerly along said limit to Hillsborough River; thence generally southwesterly along said river to the channel leading to Hillsborough Bay; thence generally southerly along said channel and Hillsborough Bay passing west of Governors Island and east of St. Peter’s Island to the southern boundary of the Province of Prince Edward Island in the Northumberland Strait.
Charlottetown
(Population: 38,809)
Consists of the City of Charlottetown.
Egmont
(Population: 37,751)
Consists of that part of the Province of Prince Edward Island lying westerly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the northern boundary of said province with the northeastern corner of the Fire District of Tyne Valley located east of Hog Island; thence southwesterly along the southeastern limit of said fire district to the eastern limit of the Fire District of Miscouche; thence southerly along the eastern limit of said fire district to the northern limit of the Rural Municipality of Sherbrooke; thence generally southerly along the limit of said rural municipality to Barbara Weit Road (Route 180); thence generally easterly along said road to Waterview Road (Route 120); thence southerly along said road to Veterans Memorial Highway (Route 2); thence easterly along said highway to Wilmot Valley Road (Route 120); thence southerly along said road to Blue Shank Road (Route 107); thence easterly along said road to MacMurdo Road (Route 120); thence generally southerly along said road to Route 1A (Read Drive); thence southeasterly and southerly along said route to the northern limit of the Rural Municipality of Bedeque and Area; thence easterly, southerly and westerly along the limit of said rural municipality to Route 1A (Read Drive); thence southerly along said route to Route 10 (North Carleton Road Extension); thence southerly and southwesterly along said route to the southern limit of the Fire District of Kinkora; thence generally southwesterly along the limit of said fire district to the southwestern boundary of the Province of Prince Edward Island in the Northumberland Strait.
Malpeque
(Population: 38,535)
Consists of that part of the Province of Prince Edward Island lying easterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the northern boundary of said province with the northeastern corner of the Fire District of Tyne Valley located east of Hog Island; thence southwesterly along the southeastern limit of said fire district to the eastern limit of the Fire District of Miscouche; thence southerly along the eastern limit of said fire district to the northern limit of the Rural Municipality of Sherbrooke; thence generally southerly along the limit of said rural municipality to Barbara Weit Road (Route 180); thence generally easterly along said road to Waterview Road (Route 120); thence southerly along said road to Veterans Memorial Highway (Route 2); thence easterly along said highway to Wilmot Valley Road (Route 120); thence southerly along said road to Blue Shank Road (Route 107); thence easterly along said road to MacMurdo Road (Route 120); thence generally southerly along said road to Route 1A (Read Drive); thence southeasterly and southerly along said route to the northern limit of the Rural Municipality of Bedeque and Area; thence easterly, southerly and westerly along the limit of said rural municipality to Route 1A (Read Drive); thence southerly along said route to Route 10 (North Carleton Road Extension); thence southerly and southwesterly along said route to the southern limit of the Fire District of Kinkora; thence generally southwesterly along the limit of said fire district to the southwestern boundary of the Province of Prince Edward Island in the Northumberland Strait; but
excluding:
- i) the City of Charlottetown; and
- ii) that part of the Province of Prince Edward Island lying easterly of a line described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the northern boundary of the said province with the northwesterly corner of the Fire District of East River, Part 1; thence generally southeasterly and westerly along the western limit of said fire district in Tracadie Bay to Route 6; thence southerly along said route to the western limit of the Fire District of East River, Part 1 (Route 2, St. Peters Road); thence generally easterly and southerly along said limit to Hillsborough River; thence generally southwesterly along said river to the channel leading to Hillsborough Bay; thence generally southerly along said channel and Hillsborough Bay passing west of Governors Island and east of St. Peter’s Island to the southern boundary of the Province of Prince Edward Island in the Northumberland Strait.
Map - Prince Edward Island
