The Alberta Justice Minister criticized the Alberta NDP for accusing the UCP of enabling election manipulation through its handling of the Alberta electoral boundaries commission’s final report. Mickey Amery stated that the government is still reviewing and considering the report’s recommendations, dismissing the NDP’s claims as baseless.
Opposition leader Naheed Nenshi of the Alberta NDP raised concerns about potential political interference by the government in the independent process of implementing the electoral boundaries. Nenshi emphasized that any deviation from the majority report would be viewed as election rigging.
The electoral boundaries commission, composed of government and opposition appointees along with a judge selected by the Premier, recently released its final report after conducting hearings across the province. The report proposed adjustments to the electoral map to accommodate the population growth concentrated in urban areas like Calgary and Edmonton, including the removal of two rural seats.
Amid discussions about a minority report suggesting different boundary adjustments, Minister Amery mentioned that the government is exploring all options, including the possibility of increasing the number of seats in the legislature from the current 89 to 91. Nenshi warned of legal action if the government adopted the minority report or decided to establish another commission.
Past boundary commissions in Alberta have also encountered minority reports, with the current commission chair labeling the minority report as unconstitutional. The government ultimately holds the authority to accept or modify the commission’s recommendations, with the aim of keeping the process non-political.
Minister Amery highlighted the extensive nature of the report and confirmed that the government is carefully reviewing feedback from all parties involved before any decisions are made. The final decision will be subject to debate and approval by the legislative assembly.