Tuesday, 21 February 2012 13:13
OTTAWA, February 21, 2012 – The federal electoral district boundaries are readjusted every 10 years, and this process is under way right now: the 10 electoral boundaries commissions have just been established.
On Monday, February 20, 2012, the Speaker of the House of Commons announced his nominations for each of the ten provincial commissions. The list of the nominations can be found here.
The redistribution process may affect the democratic weight of minority Francophone communities. The new boundaries could split these communities between two ridings, which would undermine their democratic voice and clout.
However, Canadian law gives official-language minority communities the means to defend their rights: the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Official Languages Act, Part VII. You can find a fact sheet on this topic here .
You can ensure that your rights are respected in your province during the redistribution process by submitting a brief to your provincial commission. This will make the members of the commission aware of issues that they may otherwise have overlooked, but that they are still able to address.
You should also talk to the Senators and Members of Parliament who represent you as soon as possible, as it is the House of Commons that will have the final word on the new electoral district maps.
Web site: www.mariachaput.ca
- 30 -
For an interview with Senator Chaput, please contact:
Suzanne Belliveau at 613-943-2435 or by email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it