The Municipal District of Bighorn has reached out for “meaningful conversation” with the Province after a proposal to realign electoral boundaries raised some eyebrows.
The Municipal District of Bighorn has reached out for “meaningful conversation” with the Province after a proposal to realign electoral boundaries raised some eyebrows.
On May 25, the Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission recommended a change to its boundaries: locally, it would change from a Banff-Cochrane riding (Banff National Park, Canmore, MD of Bighorn, Kananaskis Country, Stoney Nakoda and Cochrane) to a Banff-Stoney riding (Banff NP, Canmore, MD of Bighorn, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuu T'ina Nation).
MD councillors agreed on June 13 to compose and send a letter to request to communicate with the NDP government.
MD Reeve Dene Cooper said having two First Nations in the riding wasn't an issue, although, the proximity of the Tsuu T'ina Nation – which borders west Calgary – compared to the rest of the communities is “not a natural grouping.
“They really changed the boundaries and I think the MD should send a letter indicating our preferences,” said Cooper. “(The letter should) say K-Country is an excellent fit into the tourism sector. Council should make a statement that it should be left in our boundaries.”
According to the commission's interim report, it stated the recommendation responds to suggestions made … to the keep Bow Valley mountain communities together rather than pooling them with agricultural interests of foothill communities and to allow for a greater Indigenous voice by placing both Stoney and Tsuu T'ina nations within the same electoral division.”
Councillor Paul Ryan said the MD has more in common with its First Nation neighbours than tourism-minded towns such as Banff.
Ryan said, “it's not in the best interest of the MD to have our politics influenced” by transient communities.
The interim report stated that Cochrane, which is recommended to be aligned with Airdrie, would give them a voice undiluted by the concerns of Alberta's mountain park communities.
Albertans are invited to submit feedback on the proposed changes until July 8 at www.abebc.ca. Public hearings are planned from July 17-21 in Calgary, Edmonton, Brooks, Vermilion and Grande Prairie.
Following public consultation, a final report will be prepared and submitted to the Legislative Assembly in October.
