November 8, 2002

Submission to the Federal Electoral
Boundaries Commission for British Columbia

Charter challenges to provincial electoral boundaries have resulted in rulings from Canada's courts that "effective representation" is a reason for deviating from strict numerical equality. In a 1991 reference from Saskatchewan on provincial electoral boundaries, the Supreme Court of Canada said "Relative parity of voting power is a prime condition of effective representation. Deviations from absolute voter parity, however, may be justified on the grounds of practical impossibility or the provision of more effective representation. Factors like geography, community history, community interests and minority representation may need to be taken into account to ensure that our legislative assemblies effectively represent the diversity of our social mosaic."

I contend that combining North Vancouver and Burnaby into one federal riding reduces effective representation. In 1984 I ran in the federal election in the riding that was then called North Vancouver Burnaby. BC's current Lieutenant Governor was also a candidate in that campaign as was the late Chuck Cook who won by a clear majority. Knocking on hundreds of doors on both sides of the Burrard Inlet soon made me appreciate how different Burnaby is from North Vancouver. It was a sensible decision reflecting the principle of effective representation when redistribution restored the separation between these communities in distinct federal ridings.

Differences between Burnaby and North Vancouver if anything have increased over the past 20 years. The proposed new riding of Burnaby North Vancouver will lessen effective representation. Using the language of the Supreme Court one could look at "factors like geography, community history, community interests and minority representation" to document the differences between Burnaby and North Vancouver, but the differences in voting patterns between the two communities amply demonstrates their uniqueness. Voting patterns are an accurate proxy variable for a host of demographic factors.

At the municipal, provincial and federal levels Burnaby has, with few exceptions, elected left of centre representatives over the past thirty years. During the same period North Vancouver, particularly the section of North Vancouver east of Lynn Creek that is proposed for inclusion with Burnaby, has tended to elect right of centre representatives. From 1991-96, I was the MLA for North Vancouver Lonsdale. That provincial riding is roughly between the Lions Gate and Iron Workers Memorial Second Narrow Bridge and south of the Upper Levels Highway. Lonsdale consists mostly of the City of North Vancouver which is different in many respects from the District of North Vancouver, and from the portion of North Vancouver that is proposed for inclusion with Burnaby.

The proposal to create the federal constituency of Burnaby North Vancouver will create another relatively safe seat for the Alliance. It may not be called a gerrymander but drawing the boundary lines so as to include dissimilar communities stacks the deck against those who have traditionally elected Svend Robinson. It would be naïve to think that the boundaries are drawn in an objective manner without being aware of such likely consequences. The Boundary Commission ought to respect the principle of effective representation by not merging North Vancouver and Burnaby in one federal constituency.