Premier calls for work on P.E.I.'s new electoral map to begin

P.E.I.'sElectoral Boundaries Commission will be meeting this month to begin discussions on how to create a new electoral map that would show what the Islandwould look like under a mixed member proportional electoral system,says Elections P.E.I.

Premier WadeMacLauchlanwrote a letter to the commission chairman, Gerard E. Mitchell onDec. 20, 2017 asking that the map be prepared before thespring sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

"The Electoral Boundaries Commission has the appropriate knowledge and expertise to develop the map. The independent work of the Commission is widely regarded, including the recent re-redrawing of the twenty-seven electoral districts unanimously supported in the Legislative Assembly," the premier wrote.

The new map will have 18 districts.

• Island group continues to advocate for proportional representation

A referendum on electoral reform is set to be held in conjunction with the Island's nextprovincial election.

Mixed-member proportional was the winning selection among five electoral models put forward to Islanders in a plebiscite in the fall of 2016.

MacLauchlanhas said details on the referendum, including the question to be put to Islanders, will be debated by MLAs in the spring.

AnElections P.E.I.spokesperson said it hasn't yet been determined whether public consultations will be part of the process to develop the new map.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | 'A war zone': fire displaces family over the holidays
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Major winter storm on way to P.E.I.