Press Release from James Lunney's office
The final decision of the BC Boundary Commission has set in motion a series of events that must happen prior to the next federal election. There will be 30 new seats in the next Parliament, including six in B.C. and one on Vancouver Island. The changes reflect population growth and redistribution enumerated in the last census.
This is good for BC and for Vancouver Island. Unfortunately, the dynamics of redistribution split the Nanaimo-Alberni riding right down the middle; it has the effect of appending 50,000 people that I have represented in Nanaimo and Lantzville with Nanaimo south of the ferry terminal and Ladysmith while the rest of the riding peels north to include Courtenay.
For the past thirteen years it has been my honour to represent one of the most beautiful ridings in Canada, encompassing nearly 9,000 square kilometres and communities as diverse as Nanaimo and Tofino or Parksville and Ahousaht; the human resources amongst us and the diversity in population are among the challenges and attributes of the riding that I appreciate the most.
Since the final decision was announced, I have spent considerable time reflecting on the new realities and the impact of the realignment. As I read it, if I choose A over B or B over A, it will of necessity divert a disproportionate measure of my time away from half of the people and region that I have represented for the past five terms and am mandated to represent for the next two years.
Since I am unwilling or unable to reconcile these interests, I have come to the conclusion that I am better to complete my mandate focussing on Nanaimo-Alberni and open the door for others to seek a mandate in the next election under the reconfigured alignments.
The Electoral District Associations will be reconstituted accordingly in the near future and a search to identify new candidates accordingly.
I look forward to continuing in my role for the remainder of the 41st Parliament and along with my staff striving to serve the needs and interests of Nanaimo-Alberni and as much as it is possible preparing new candidates to take on the challenges on the horizon.
