B.C. electoral commission proposes 2 new Surrey, Richmond ridings for 2017 vote

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s electoral map could be redrawn in time for the next provincial election in May 2017.

A three-member electoral boundaries commission has proposed two new ridings — one in Surrey and the other in Richmond — increasing the total number to 87 across the province.

Members of the B.C. legislature will make the final decision on the proposed boundary and riding changes as part of the commission’s report tabled Thursday.

The two proposed ridings of Surrey South and Richmond-Queensborough are among the commission’s 48 proposed boundary changes, which include shifts in Hope, Princeton and Cumberland on Vancouver Island.

The commission said huge population grown in both areas prompted the creation of the new ridings.

The changes would result in Cloverdale being split and represented in two Surrey-area ridings and the Queensborough neighbourhood of New Westminster combined with Richmond to create a new riding.