91原创 is having some issues of late with its representation at the provincial and federal levels.
Earlier this month, we got our first look at proposed plans for new federal ridings, including a truly bizarre Pitt Meadows-Fort 91原创 riding that would see folks in North 91原创 represented by an MP who also served parts of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Surrey, and Port Coquitlam.
Now the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce is asking that 91原创 get another MLA, to fairly represent the rapidly-rising number of locals.
The City and Township are currently served by two MLAs, representing the 91原创 and 91原创 East ridings.
It鈥檚 true, if 91原创 doesn鈥檛 deserve three full MLAs right now, based on our population, we likely will by the time the next provincial election rolls around.
Even the recent Canadian Census doesn鈥檛 capture the full scope of the explosive growth 91原创 is currently experiencing. Consider the fact that the 91原创 School District has added more than 1,000 new enrolments this school year. Yes, since September, 91原创 has added more than 1,000 new residents who are between the ages of five and 18! Add in all the moms and dads, little brothers and sisters, college students, seniors, childless couples, and so on, and you can see that we鈥檙e in the middle of an unprecedented population boom.
READ ALSO: Our View 鈥� Flood risk on Fraser River ever-present
Without adequately adding more MLAs and MPs, 91原创 won鈥檛 have a loud enough voice in our provincial and federal parliaments.
It would be nice, as the chamber would prefer, to have all three MLAs within the bounds of 91原创. But we鈥檒l settle for having more MLAs with boundaries that represent relatively organic communities 鈥� 91原创 City with Cloverdale, perhaps, or Aldergrove and South Abbotsford together.
But not Pitt Meadows and the Fort, again!
鈥� M.C.
