Vernon says no to proposed electoral boundary change

Photo: Electoral Boundaries Commission

Vernon council is telling the B.C. Electoral Boundaries Commission not to break up the Greater Vernon area into two provincial ridings.

The commission is gathering input on proposed new ridings for the province. Deadline for submissions is Nov. 22.

The Okanagan would gain a riding in the Kelowna area, but to do that, Greater Vernon would be split up.

Beachcomber Bay, Okanagan Landing and the East Bella Vista Highlands would be added to the Kelowna-Lake Country riding, which would extend all the way to downtown Kelowna.

Vernon-Monashee, the area’s current riding, would include the core of Vernon, Coldstream and go out to Lumby and Cherryville, according to the Boundaries Commission.

The moves would be made to keep riding populations roughly the same.

Based on 2021 census data, approximately 9,000 Vernon residents would be included in the Kelowna-Lake Country riding and approximately 34,900 would remain in the Vernon-Monashee riding, a report to council said.

Council will urge the commission to keep Vernon, Coldstream and regional district areas B and C in the same riding.

Mayor Victor Cumming told council the recommendation is the same one Vernon submitted before to the commission.

New Coun. Brian Guy wondered why other North Okanagan regions weren’t covered by the recommendation, but was told the previous recommendation only encompassed the Vernon area.

The final Boundaries Commission report must be released by April 3.