Saskatchewan is getting a new federal electoral map, but it is undetermined what the final result will look like.  

New electoral boundaries are being proposed by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Saskatchewan after the release of the latest census numbers.    

“It's done on a provincial basis, not by the provinces, but by a federal appointed Commission, usually a three-person panel such as we have in Saskatchewan,” explained Dr. Howard Leeson, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Regina.  “This year we'll go out and have a look at population changes and see if any changes in the boundaries are needed.”   

Under the proposed boundary changes Assiniboia would become part of the Souris-Moose Mountain riding. 

Leeson said it was interesting how the rural ridings had changed in the proposed boundaries.   

“I know there's a problem here because of the depopulation in rural areas,” said Leeson. “For instance, you have people in Lumsden voting with people in Kindersley. There's no common interest left anymore in there because the people of Lumsden are really a bedroom community of Regina, and Kindersley is quite close to the Alberta border in a very rural area.”    

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Saskatchewan is holding public hearings in regards to the proposed boundaries throughout June and July. One takes place at the Royal Canadian Legion in Weyburn on Tuesday, July 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.