Paul Davis's seat reduction plan sparks political debate

Political leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador are supporting the idea ofcutting the number of seats in the provincial legislature, but saya lot more work has to be done first.

Paul Davisis looking at reducing the seats in the provincial legislature to a number lower than the current 48.

Liberal Leader Dwight Ball has said he supports the change, butdoubtsit could be put in place before the next provincial election.

• Slash 8 House of Assembly seats, says Dwight Ball

Timing curious

NDP leader Lorraine Michael is also on board with the idea of less seats, but thinksthe timing of the news is curious.

Michael saidredrawing the electoral boundaries is a complicated process one thatwill require analysis of population distributionamong other factors.

"I think the process and the way we do it is very important," she said."I find it very strange and rather silly of the Premier to be thinking that he can just cut a number of seats without doing a full analysis of the population right now in the province."

Right now, there are 48 members of the House of Assembly, each one costing $230,000 includingsalaries,office, staff and travel costs. Michael said the Premier should ask the Electoral Boundaries Commissionto do the analysisand recommend a seat adjustment number after that process is complete.

"I find it curious that he's saying this, even though he knows it can't be put in place before the election," she saidMonday.

"I think what he should be doing is just recognizing that we have a process every 10 years, we have a review done by the Electoral Boundaries Commission and that review happens in 2016."

Johnathan Galgay

In St John's City Council chambers Monday night, at least one councillorcalled on the province to exercise caution when it reviews electoral boundaries.

Jonathan Galgay raised the possibilitythat any changes could potentially harm the northeast Avalon.

"My fear is that the city of St. John's will take a hit if a review does take place," he said.

"I just want to ensure that as members of council, we represent about 20,000 people and often times its a struggle to get some feedback fromMHAsbecause they are quite active and very busy."

Galgaytold council last evening he fears the city would lose representation if a review results in changes for the region.

"I want to ensure that I point out that I would encourage the government to use caution not to disregard any other area throughout the province but as the capital city I think we are doing fairly well with our representation. I think that they should know that."

The Premier's office says Paul Davis will release more details later this week about the possible review.