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The role of the electoral boundaries commissions in the federal redistribution process

Ten independent electoral boundaries commissions—one in each province—are established to revise the electoral district boundaries in their province.

Each commission is composed of three members. It is chaired by a judge appointed by the chief justice of the province and has two other members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The commissions each work separately to:

  • Propose a new electoral map for their province by considering such criteria as average population numbers, communities of identity and interest, historical patterns of an electoral district, and geographic size of electoral districts
  • Consult with Canadians through public hearings
  • Submit a report on their considerations and propose electoral map to the House of Commons
  • Consider objections from members of the House of Commons
  • Prepare a final report outlining the electoral boundaries for their province.

It is important to note that commissions do consider the input received from Canadians and members of the House of Commons when determining the boundaries. However, as independent bodies, they make all final decisions as to where these boundaries will lie.

On November 1, 2021, an Order in Council directing that, for the 2021 decennial census, a proclamation be issued establishing the electoral boundaries commissions was signed by the Governor in Council. The Order and the schedule presenting the Commissions' members can be consulted here.