Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The number and boundaries of electoral districts are periodically adjusted to reflect changes in population.In Quebec, New Brunswick and Nunavut the electoral quota is based on the total number of electors, rather than on the population. Elections Canada completed the redistribution of the boundaries of electoral districts in 2023 in order to guarantee proportionate representation of voters.
Source: The Compendium of Election Administration in Canada, Elections Canada(2014)
http://www.elections.ca/res/loi/com/compoverview2014sep_e.pdf
Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act (1985)
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/E-3.pdf
http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/red&document=index&lang=e
Verified: 2025/03/28
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population b . Respecting natural barriers e . Geographic size of district f . Communities of interest/cultural concerns
Comments: The division of the province into electoral districts 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. In determining reasonable electoral boundaries the Commissions shall consider the size of the population (plus or minus 25%) along with the community of interest, the community of identity and historical patterns of an electoral district. Districts in sparsely populated, rural or northern regions of the province must remain of a manageable geographic size. Equality of population is a primary criterion, but there is no clear-cut prioritization of the other criteria. Court decisions have ensured that community of interest must be taken into account.
Source: The Compendium of Election Administration in Canada, Elections Canada (2014)
http://www.elections.ca/res/loi/com/compoverview2014sep_e.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
c . Executive d . Boundary Commission
Comments: An independent electoral boundaries commission is established to determine electoral boundaries in all jurisdictions, except Ontario. Federally, a separate boundaries commission is established for each province.
For each decennial census, the Governor in Council shall establish by proclamation,published in the Canada Gazette, an electoral boundaries commission for each province.
Source: The Compendium of Election Administration in Canada, Elections Canada (2014)
http://www.elections.ca/res/loi/com/compoverview2014sep_e.pdf
Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act (1984)
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/E-3.pdf
Verified: 2025/03/28
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