Evidence of meeting #60 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was map.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Rob, I want to get at a couple of things. One is about the southern half of this map, which is also adjusted.
Because it is so hard to read from the maps that we have, can you outline the communities again? Who are we talking about that would be included that is not included right now?
Conservative
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Right now, Rocky Mountain House, a community of about 8,000, is not included in Yellowhead. It’s at the very southern tip. I don't know if you can see it; it would be right down here.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
You're suggesting that Yellowhead be in the Yellowhead riding?
Conservative
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
—I think it would be functional. That's not a real problem. They would maybe argue a little bit, but I don't think much.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
We realize that the process is a bit disjointed sometimes because you didn't get to see the final map while you were testifying.
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
But we've asked for—and some MPs have brought and some have not—supportive documents, from mayors particularly but also from other interest groups that may be affected by the changes you are proposing now.
Because you've had some time with this map, what can you tell us about...? You've talked about the north being easily one way or the other.
Conservative
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Yes. I can tell you that three ridings would be impacted. Grande Cache—I've talked to their mayor and they agree with going north. They're nervous about being too vocal about it, necessarily, because there could be arguments both ways and there could be problems in the community if some people feel one way or the other.
Fox Creek and Swan Hills would be the other two communities. They would probably argue that they should stay in Yellowhead because they've been there and they're comfortable. But their patterns go north for education, for some health services, and so on, so there is a strong argument that they could go north and it would be justifiable.
When you start getting into Whitecourt-Barrhead, you can't make that case at all.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
Again, in the southern end of the riding, because you're making adjustments, you're suggesting adjustments down there as well. What kinds of conversations—
Conservative
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
Rocky Mountain House normally would go into the Red Deer area. I don't think you can argue against that. At the present time, Yellowhead goes down almost to Rocky Mountain House. It takes in a couple of native reserves but doesn't include Rocky Mountain House. It's very close to it, so you're not adjusting it that much.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
One thing you said, just at the end of your conversation with Tom, was about the nomination being dominated by the south. I didn't understand what you meant.
Conservative
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
If you look at their map, Whitecourt is a community of 10,000 to 12,000 and with a large catchment area around it. Barrhead is the same way. It would be 10,000 to 12,000. Other people might know the exact numbers, but I would suggest 30,000 to 40,000 of the population being at the southern end between those three communities. They are very strong activists politically.
Conservative
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
I can guarantee you if they go with the commission's map, there is a very strong reality that it's where the member of Parliament would win a nomination. I know the politics of it.
Then that individual has to not be focused in on their communities and south, which is the normal flow of trade, and interests, and schools, and sports teams, and on and on. You have to go from there to virtually the Northwest Territories or almost under their map. The northern area would be under-represented.
I don't think this room captures the geographic size of that area. It is a massive size.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
The thing I'm struggling with in the presentation is—I get it now, but I had a hard time at first seeing where the in and out was, and now the maps are better—whether the inclusion of particularly those southern communities is a numbers exercise. If you're saying Rocky Mountain House is more naturally inclined towards the Red Deer area and catchment and community, is that to make up for things that have been dropped out by your proposal?
Conservative
Conservative
Rob Merrifield Conservative Yellowhead, AB
We're not adding Rocky Mountain House. Rocky Mountain House was there.
NDP
Nathan Cullen NDP Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC
I see. I can't tell from the southern change that you have. I'm getting a bit....
Conservative
NDP
