Major changes could be coming to Alberta’s provincial electoral ridings. That includes Lethbridge being split into as many as four urban-rural hybrid ridings. A report hasn’t been made public yet, but some are suggesting already that it includes major changes to electoral boundaries. An independent report with input from Albertans was released earlier this year, but the province rejected it and appointed a new panel. The UCP-dominated electoral boundaries committee rejected an NDP motion Wednesday to release that report. Now, the government is accusing the opposition of abusing their privilege by releasing some details anyway. Lethbridge could be split into four urban-rural hybrid ridings, which was outlined in the initial study’s minority report. The city currently has two ridings that conform to city limits. Lethbridge-West NDP MLA Rob Miyashiro is highly critical of the proposed changes to Lethbridge. “If it’s anything close to what it was in the minority report, and we should be concerned about how it can affect democracy, there’s no way you want a riding that goes from left of the middle of this box or the middle of leftwards to the Trans-Canada border,” said Miyashiro. Lethbridge-East UCP MLA Nathan Neudorf has been advocating for Lethbridge to have three to four ridings. He believes the connection between Lethbridge and its outlying communities makes the city ideal for combined urban-rural ridings. “Whether it’s roads or rail or hospital services or agriculture, we have a very intertwined relationship, and I leave that work to the commission,” said Neudorf. The proposed changes have drawn allegations of gerrymandering. Experts say urban-rural hybrid ridings would make it more difficult for the NDP to win those seats. The NDP has already said it will take the matter to court if it passes in the legislature. “The accusation is being made that this is an attempt really to gerrymander the areas and make sure that Lethbridge doesn’t get any oppositional seats in the next election,” said retired University of Lethbridge professor of political science Trevor Harrison. The report is expected to be tabled in the legislature on Monday.
