Yukon needs another MLA, commission suggests

Some of Yukon's electoral districts should be redrawn, and another member should be added to the Legislative Assembly, according to a commission's recommendations.

The Electoral District Boundaries Commission, chaired by Yukon Supreme Court Justice Ron Veale, released its final proposals on Thursday. Itfollowsalmost a year of research and consultations, and an interim report last fall.

Theinterim report recommended no change to the number of MLAs,but the final report now suggests Yukon needs another riding, increasing the number of MLAsby one, to 20. The commission says that public consultations revealed a clear need and desire for another district.

• Commission proposals would re-draw Yukon's electoral map

The existing district of Pelly-Nisutlin which now includes the far-flung communities of Faro, Ross River and Teslinwould be re-organized into other districts.

Faro and RossRiver would combinewith Carmacks to make a new riding, while Teslinwould be part ofa new Carcross-Tagish-Teslindistrict. A new Mayo-Pellydistrict would include the communities of Mayo, Elsa, Keno Hill, Pelly Crossing and Stewart Crossing.

Other significant changes are suggested for the northern part of Whitehorse, to reflect the growing Whistle Bend subdivision.

The Porter Creek North, Porter Creek Centre and Porter Creek South districts would be redrawn into three new ridings: Porter Creek, Whistle Bend, and Whitehorse North.

According to the commission's population projections, Whistle Bend will have moreelectors than any other district by 2026, and an estimated15 times as many voters as the Vuntut Gwitchinriding.

The commission is also proposing some minor changes to several other existing electoral districts, including Klondike, Lake Laberge, Takhini-Kopper King, and Copperbelt South.

Seven existing districts would see no changes.

The Legislative Assembly will make the final decisions about the commission's proposals. Any changes would be in effect for at least the next two territorial elections.

• Readthe Electoral District Boundaries Commission's final report