Virden, Carberry facing federal riding relocation

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This article was published 23/06/2022 (1338 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Federal ridings in Westman could see notable changes should the proposed electoral map be approved.

This year a series of commissions have been established to reassess the boundaries for electoral ridings in every province. These changes will take into account data from the most recent census.

While some provinces are gaining seats in the House of Commons, Manitoba will remain at 14.

Looking at the new boundaries for Brandon–Souris and Dauphin–Swan River–Neepawa, perhaps the biggest change is that Virden and Carberry would both be moved from the former into the latter constituency.

While the northern boundary for Brandon–Souris has moved south, both that riding and Dauphin–Swan River–Neepawa would extend further east into territory formerly part of Portage–Lisgar.

The southeastern edge of Brandon-Souris would be almost directly to the south of Portage la Prairie, with Morden and Winkler much closer to the edge of the adjacent riding.

Up north, Dauphin–Swan River–Neepawa would surrender a significant amount of land to the vast northern riding of Churchill–Keewatinook Aski.

Both ridings previously shared Lake Winnipegosis but if the proposed changes are passed, almost the entirety of the lake would belong to Churchill–Keewatinook Aski except for one area on its southern shore.

The new northernmost extent for Dauphin–Swan River–Neepawa would be slightly to the north of the community of Swan River, whose mayor requested in a letter to the redistribution commission that it remain in the same riding.

Members of Parliament for both ridings were busy in the House of Commons on Thursday, but sent comments to the Sun via email on the planned redistribution.

Brandon–Souris Conservative MP Larry Maguire thanked the commission for its work, but said he would be writing them a letter and attending the public hearing planned for Brandon later this year to argue for Virden to remain in his riding.

“For over 100 years, Virden and the City of Brandon have belonged to the same federal constituency,” Maguire wrote. “The economic ties and communities of interest are abundant. Moreover, taking Virden out of the constituency would be separating Virden from the towns of Reston, Pipestone, and Oak Lake.”

He also objects to the RM of Elton being split between the two ridings, which he said the commission did because the Municipality of North Cypress-Langford was divided to put all of CFB Shilo into Brandon–Souris.

However, Maguire argues that “almost every single resident living on CFB Shilo was already located in Brandon-Souris.”

His colleague, Dauphin–Swan River–Neepawa Conservative MP Dan Mazier, agreed with Maguire on Virden staying in Brandon–Souris. Mazier has some other concerns for his riding’s potential changes, as well.

“Overall, I believe the Commission presented a sensible boundary that represents my constituency and the people within it.

“I was particularly pleased to see the town of Swan River remain in the riding, however, I have heard multiple concerns from constituents regarding the RM of Minitonas-Bowsman being moved into the same constituency as Churchill. I share these representation concerns.

“I was also disappointed to see the Commission split RMs after many submissions stated the importance of respecting municipal boundaries within federal constituencies.”

Manitobans with feedback on the proposed boundaries can register to speak at one of five public hearings being held this September.

The only hearing taking place in Westman will be at the Victoria Inn in Brandon at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8.

However, there will also be two virtual hearings, one on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. and another on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.

Residents can register to speak at these hearings by sending a letter to the commission’s office, emailing them at MB@redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca or filling out a form on the commission’s website.

Manitoba’s current electoral map can be found online at bit.ly/3yhyh56 and its proposed electoral map can be found at bit.ly/3Nlg4rI/.

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