Albert’s growing population has prompted the provincial government to table legislation to add two new seats to the legislature for the next election.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery has proposed changes to the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act calling for the creation of two new electoral districts prior to the 2027 general election. The change would bring the seat tally up to 89 from 87.

“If we look at population alone, to the number of MLAs elected in this assembly, that is a signal that we want fair but effective representation here for all Albertans.”

According to the current legislation, the population of each electoral division in Alberta must be maintained within a range of 25 percent above or below the average population of all proposed electoral districts, Amery said. Government statstics indicate nine of Alberta’s 87 ridings are overpopulated.

Five of the overpopulated districts are located in Calgary and three are in Edmonton. The final district is Airdrie-Cochrane, which includes all of Cochrane, a town that has experienced a population growth of more than 40 percent since 2016.

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“By increasing the number of electoral divisions, we demonstrate our commitment to balanced and equitable representation,” Amery said.

If the justice minister’s proposed bill passes in the legislature, the province will establish a committee tasked with analyzing and recommending changes to the boundaries of existing constituencies to create the two new ridings.

The commission could be appointed as early as this fall or as late as Oct. 31, 2026, to ensure new boundaries are in place before the next provincial election, he said.

“Given the work that has to be done, and the approach that they have to take in canvassing the entire province, receiving the recommendations and submissions, and then providing a report for debate in the legislature, I think it’s safe to say that it is likely that we will move sooner rather than later on this.” Amery added. 

Even if the bill is defeated in the legislature, the province would still need to appoint a commission to review the electoral districts before the 2027 election. The committee would be comprised of two members appointed by the Opposition NDP and three appointed by the governing United Conservative Party.

NDP justice critic Irfan Sabir said he expects the government to approach the boundary redesign in good faith.

“We expect that it’s a fair process and these new ridings are given in the areas where we see the most population and growth pressures, and these are not just used for any political gains,” Sabir said.

Amery was adamant that the addition of two new seats would not be about securing victory in the next election.

“I can say with absolute certainty that it would not be up to me, nor would it be up to the government” to decide where the new seats would be, he said. “I think that’s up to the commission itself to present those findings, after canvassing the province and hearing the submissions from Albertans. Once that is made to us as a legislative assembly, we will certainly debate the recommendations and we'll see where it goes.”

Alberta’s 2023 election revealed a large geographic divide, with the NDP winning in Edmonton, the UCP prevailing in rural regions, and both parties taking an equal share of Calgary.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.