An unidentified NDP MP from Alberta is facing accusations of mobilizing constituents to oppose electoral redistricting, according to a federal report. In October 2021, Parliament agreed to expand the Commons by five seats, with Alberta set to gain three additional ridings by 2024. B.C. and Ontario will gain one seat each, while Québec will maintain the status quo after initial calls to drop a seat were rolled back. As a result, the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission is expected to order Elections Canada to redraw all nine federal ridings in Edmonton to make room for the additional seats.
However, the federal report reveals that one MP attempted to pressure Commissioners in what is being called “a matter of concern.” 171 Edmonton constituents emailed the Commission with submissions protesting the decision to expand ridings. The Commission stated that it was disappointed to receive communications that appeared to be motivated to mobilize political pressure to influence its decision. While the Commission reviewed all the feedback it received, the submissions that praised the MP and echoed their talking points were not given significant weight in the final decision. Nevertheless, the report raised concerns about an attempt to interfere with the integrity of the redistribution process.
Neither the NDP nor the Edmonton Griesbach MP Blake Desjarlais, who is serving his first term, have responded to the accusations or provided a comment to the press. Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, the only Edmonton MP who testified at a House affairs committee hearing on redistricting, has stated that he had no involvement in the pressure tactics.
Desjarlais made history as Canada’s first ‘two-spirited’ federal elected representative and won his seat in the last election by 1,500 votes over incumbent Conservative MP Kerry Diotte.
The tabling of reports and a subsequent representation order give Elections Canada seven months to redraw the federal map. The Electoral Officer, Stéphane Perrault, testified in May that if an election is called, it would be held based on the new map. He acknowledged that redistricting creates uncertainty and challenges for political parties.
Overall, this report highlights the concern over potential political interference in the electoral redistricting process in Alberta. The actions of the unidentified NDP MP and the influx of submissions from constituents raise questions about the integrity of the redistribution process. As the Commission reviews the feedback received, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact the final decision on the redrawing of federal ridings in Edmonton.
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