Commission to examine constituency boundaries in Saskatchewan

Some of Saskatchewan’s constituencies may be changing shape.

Premier Scott Moe on Thursday appointed the Constituency Boundaries Commission, which is formed every 10 years under The Constituency Boundaries Act, 1993. The commission’s creation follows the release of the census in Canada.

The commission will be tasked with redrawing the boundaries of the province’s constituencies to ensure each one has roughly the same number of voters.

The commission will be chaired by Justice Donald Layh, with Joe Donlevy (former chief of staff to the premier) and Frank Quennell (former minister of justice) as the other members.

They’re to prepare an interim report and a map of new constituency boundaries within three months, then hold public hearings to get feedback on the proposed changes.

Within six months, they’re to issue a final report and map. That report will then be turned into legislation to create the new boundaries in time for the next provincial election.

“This is an important task to ensure fairness in our democratic system,” Moe said in a media release. “Saskatchewan’s population has grown by nearly 100,000 people in the past 10 years, and some parts of the province have grown faster than others, so the boundaries need to be adjusted to ensure equality and fairness.”