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Arthur-Virden Riding to Change Name, Boundaries

"Turtle Mountain" to be new name
boundaries change
Map shows proposed new boundaries for the provincial riding of Arthur-Virden, which will also be renamed to Turtle Mountain.

The provincial riding of Arthur-Virden is going to get a new name - "Turtle Mountain" - and new boundaries.

The Manitoba Boundaries Commission is proposing to change all 57 electoral divisions in the province as part of its regular, ten-year review.

Under the plan, Arthur-Virden will also change shape. Its northern boundary will be moved south, meaning Hamiota, Miniota, Crandall, Arrow River and area will become part of the Riding Mountain electoral division to the north.

Meanwhile, Arthur-Virden's south-eastern boundary will extend further to the east, encompassing Killarney, Ninette and Pelican Lake.

Changing populations

The boundaries are changing because Manitoba's population has shifted, growing in some ridings and decreasing in others. So every ten years, ridings are reviewed and changed where needed to keep balance in the numbers.

Electoral legislation requires a more-or-less equal population in each riding. The number aimed for in this revision is 22,427 in each of the 57 divisions.

The current riding of Arthur-Virden has 21,410 people living in it, which is about 4.5 per cent below the target. Adjusting the boundaries will increase the population of the riding to 23,495.

Public feedback

The changes won't come into effect until after public hearings are held to get feedback on the proposed boundaries and new names. Those hearings will take place in September 2018 in various locations across Manitoba.

After those consultations, the Boundaries Commission will submit its final report to the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the Assembly by December 31, 2018.

The final report becomes law and the new boundaries go into effect for the next provincial general election, set for October 2020.

The last boundary review was in 2008. The boundaries set at that time were used in the 2011 and 2016 general elections.

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