What's happening and why it matters
The 2025-2026 Electoral Boundaries Commission, an independent, non-partisan body, delivered its final report recommending two new seats for Calgary and one for Edmonton to reflect population growth, while consolidating two rural ridings. The commission chair, a retired judge appointed by Premier Smith's own cabinet, signed onto the majority report unanimously alongside the NDP-appointed commissioners.
Then the two UCP-appointed commissioners issued a minority report. Their alternative maps would carve Alberta's cities into sprawling "rurban" ridings, deliberately diluting urban NDP support by blending city and rural voters. The commission chair himself warned this approach is likely unconstitutional, potentially violating Section 3 of the Charter, which guarantees the right to meaningful representation.
"Anything short of implementing the majority report in its entirety is election rigging."
— Opposition Leader Naheed NenshiBefore the final report was released, Justice Minister Mickey Amery repeatedly stated that the government would not draw the boundaries and would respect the independent process. The moment the report didn't suit the UCP's interests, he announced that "all options are on the table."
Minority reports from government-appointed commissioners, complete with alternative maps, are unprecedented in Alberta's electoral history. The majority report itself noted that the minority's recommendations appear "motivated by other considerations" rather than effective representation, and pointedly observed that "our friends south of the border may have a term for this type of redistricting."
They do. It's called gerrymandering. And Albertans know exactly what it looks like.
What we're demanding
- 01The majority report must be implemented in full. No cherry-picking, no hybrid compromise that rewards bad-faith participation.
- 02Minister Amery must publicly commit to honouring the independent process he promised to respect before the report was released.
- 03The Legislative Assembly must not be weaponized to override an independent commission's findings for partisan gain.
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