BC Electoral Boundaries Commission has suggested expanding 91原创鈥檚 current two ridings to include a third, however some aren鈥檛 so happy about it.

91原创 City mayor-elect Nathan Pachal, Councillor Teri James, and a few 91原创 residents expressed their concerns regarding the proposed boundary shifts at the commission鈥檚 public hearing held on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

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About 20 people from various municipalities attended the hearing and 15 of those presented their views in front of commissioners Anton Boegman, Linda Tynan, and Justice Nitya Iyer of the Supreme Court of British Columbia 鈥� the committee chair.

In its preliminary reports, the commission proposed adding a new riding in the 91原创 area, to 鈥渁ccommodate the current population and projected growth.鈥�

The proposed 91原创-Willoughby riding would include the Willowbrook and Willoughby neighbourhoods, as well as the western section of Walnut Grove.

Pachal said the proposals came as a 鈥渟urprise,鈥� as it splits the Willowbrook Shopping Centre between two ridings. About two-third of the shopping centre would fall under the new riding and the rest in 91原创 City.

This could potentially mean two MLAs serving the shopping centre, which Pachal said would not benefit anyone.

鈥淚t is quite an eye-opener that the proposal doesn鈥檛 fit the geographical realities of where we live,鈥� added the new City mayor.

RELATED: BC Electoral Boundaries Commission proposes to add six new ridings

The commission also proposed combining the Murrayville neighbourhood, the core of downtown 91原创 City, and an area to the south, around Campbell Valley Regional Park from 196th Street east to 216th Street.

Pachal and almost all 91原创 residents present at the hearing described Murrayville as being distinct from the 91原创 regional centre, and hence said it should not be lumped in the 91原创 City riding.

Sandra Brynjolfson, a longtime resident of 91原创 City, said Murrayville is a suburban community with little in common with the City.

鈥�91原创 City should be with Willowbrook and Willoughby, not Murrayville,鈥� she said.

Ryan Starchek, who has been living in 91原创 for more than 12 years, shared similar sentiments.

鈥淎s City residents our lives are spent in Willowbrook and Willoughby area. We spend little to no time in Murrayville,鈥� he said.

As for Murrayville resident Darrell Hawk, he said his neighbourhood is 鈥渘ot very urban,鈥� and 鈥渟hould stay that way.鈥�

鈥淚 moved to Murrayville, because I want to live in a suburban area and not in a major urban centre like 91原创 City,鈥� he said, presenting his views to the commissioners.

His neighbourhood has more commonalities with Aldergrove, Hawk suggested.

Many residents at the hearing said the upcoming SkyTrain project would further boost development in the City, making the neighbourhood even more distinct from Murrayville.

Coun. James said existing boundaries 鈥渕ake more sense,鈥� emphasizing that Murrayville鈥檚 social issues are different from City鈥檚. She said the two neighbourhoods do not share a 鈥渃ommunity of interest.鈥�

Pachal, too, pushed for the idea of sticking with existing boundaries.

鈥淭he proposals would also affect the collaboration between City and Township,鈥� Pachal said.

Further, the commission proposed splitting Walnut Grove, with the western part of the neighbourhood joining the 91原创-Willoughby riding.

Walnut Grove residents said the neighbourhood should be part of the 91原创-Aldergrove riding, which includes Aldergrove, Fort 91原创, and much of rural eastern 91原创.

Rachelle Cashato also wants Walnut Grove to stay intact but suggested the neighbourhood be included in the 91原创-Willoughby riding.

鈥淸Walnut Grove] is highly connected and should not be divided by electoral boundaries,鈥� Cashato said.

鈥淭he entirety of Walnut Grove should be included in one electoral district,鈥� she added.

Michelle Lori, who has lived in Walnut Grove for more than 26 years, had similar thoughts.

鈥淎void cutting Walnut Grove. Walnut Grove should be kept intact,鈥� she suggested.

Another Walnut Grove resident, Bryan Hogan, has lived in the neighbourhood with his wife and six daughters for about 11 years. He, too, said his 鈥渉ighly connected鈥� neighbourhood should not be divided by electoral boundaries.

The commission concluded the hearing by assuring the attendees that they would take all the concerns into consideration when making its decisions.

James said she was impressed by the turnout at the hearing, which took place at 91原创鈥檚 Sandman Signature hotel.

鈥淪ounds to me like everybody was on the same page in regards to their concerns,鈥� she concluded.

Those interested in listening to the audio recording of the public hearing can do so by visiting . People can also make submissions to the commission until November 22. The commission鈥檚 final report is expected to be published in spring 2023.

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