All northern Alberta MLAs against removing Lesser Slave Lake riding

By Pearl Lorentzen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader

At the moment, Alberta has 10 provincial electoral divisions in northern Alberta. The Electoral Boundary Commission proposes removing the Lesser Slave Lake riding, and increasing the size of the other ridings. All 10 MLAs for northern Alberta have spoken against the change.

Scott Sinclair, MLA for Lesser Slave Lake, has been vocal in his opposition (see article in the Nov. 5 Leader).

The remaining northern Alberta MLAs are also opposed to the change. A letter from the nine UCP MLAs is on Page 10 of this week’s Leader.

The MLAs are Dan Williams (MLA for Peace River), Glenn van Dijken (MLA for Athabasca – Barrhead – Westlock), Scott Cyr (MLA for Bonnyville – Cold Lake – St. Paul), Brian Jean (MLA for Fort McMurray – Lac La Biche), Tany Yao (MLA for Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo), Nolan Dyck (MLA for Grande Prairie), Ron Wiebe (MLA for Grande Prairie – Wapiti), Martin Long (MLA for West Yellowhead), and Todd Loewen (MLA for Central Peace – Notley).

The letter suggest, “Keeping the lion’s share of boundaries as close as possible to our current lines, while invoking the variances entitled in the Act, is our advice to the Commission.”

The letter says, “The Commission is directed by the Act to consider a number of factors including sparsity, communities of interest, geography, transportation, clarity, and other factors. It is our view that the Commission has clearly not met these criteria in the north.”

The letter adds, “For northern Albertans, losing our voice is not an option. We are a people that have chosen to raise our families and build our communities in a vast and harsh land. Our provincial economy is physically married to our northern landscape, as is so much of Alberta’s culture and history from time immemorial.”

If the changes happen, Lesser Slave River will be carved up into the Mackenzie, Slave Lake – Westlock – Athabasca, and Peace River – Notley.

Most of Lesser Slave River, will become part of the Mackenzie riding, which is basically double the size of two already large ridings.

The letter says, “drive times within the proposed constituencies reach over eight hours within a single constituency, weather permitting.”

Another issue with the proposal says the MLA letter is “notably, the two largest centers and service hubs from Lesser Slave Lake (High Prairie and Slave Lake) are removed from Mackenzie; however, La Crete and High Level continue in Mackenzie.

“Though the current population of Lesser Slave Lake is the lowest in the province the residents have maintained common political interest and cultural community, and a shared economy for over one hundred years. Since the 1909 electoral boundaries map and the 1913 general election there has been a riding centered around today’s Lesser Slave constituency boundaries.”

Reeve Marcel Auger

MLAs aren’t the only ones who oppose the proposed changes to electoral boundaries northern Alberta.

Marcel D. Auger is reeve of the M.D. of Opportunity. Most of this is in the Lesser Slave Lake riding, but Red Earth Creek in the northwest is in the Peace River riding. Under the proposal, the M.D. would be part of Mackenzie.

Auger says he understands that the process for the deciding the boundaries is fair, with both parties at the table, but “I see our area getting larger and that’s a bit of a concern for us … I’m hoping that they won’t change the way they are now.”

There are benefits to being in two ridings, says Auger.

“I’d hate to see our region get larger and less MLAs,” he adds.

Reeve Murray Kerik

Under the proposal, the M.D. of Lesser Slave River (M.D. LSR), Town of Slave Lake, and Sawridge First Nation are cut out of the middle of the bottom of the proposed Mackenzie riding and put with Athabasca and Westlock.

“I’m sure there is going to be a lot said about it at RMA,” says M.D. LSR Reeve Murray Kerik, of the changes. “We’re not in favour. It hasn’t happened yet. It’s suggested.”

The RMA is the Rural Municipalities Association, which happens this month. The next M.D. LSR council meeting will be after this. Kerik figures that the M.D. will likely approve a letter on the issue to send to the commission.

Slave Lake Mayor Francesca Ward has already spoken against the changes (see article in the Nov. 5 Leader).

Campaigner

“I completely disagree with it,” says Travis Gladue.

Gladue is a Bigstone Cree Nation member who lives in Edmonton. He’s worked on two campaigns for people running to be MLAs for the Lesser Slave Lake riding: Pat Rehn and Scott Sinclair. Both were elected.

The current Lesser Slave Lake riding makes sense, says Gladue. As long as someone is familiar with the area, you can reach the voters. Also, the riding elected NDP and UCP candidates, so it is fair to both parties.

“This needs to go back to the local constituents,” says Gladue of any electoral boundary changes.

One thing that Gladue does appreciate about the Electoral Boundaries Commission report is that it mentions transportation. Past commissions haven’t mentioned this, he says.

Changing the electoral boundaries would “cause more voter confusion and more voter suppression,” says Gladue.