FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswickers will have an opportunity to recommend changes to the province’s 49 electoral districts through a series of public hearings announced today.

The Electoral Boundaries and Representation Commission, an independent group charged with redrawing the boundaries, will visit 12 communities beginning in late August to gather input in preparation for its preliminary report.

The commission's co-chairs, Camille Thériault and Roger Clinch, are encouraging New Brunswickers to share their views.

“Along with the other four commission members, we invite citizens, stakeholder groups and others interested in the democratic process to take advantage of options available to communicate with us,” said Theriault.

The commission’s mandate is to redraw the boundaries of electoral ridings to be used in the next general provincial election. The commission will report its findings to the legislative assembly.

“Our goal is to offer an open and transparent process that allows all New Brunswickers the opportunity to share with us their ideas on ways to enhance the electoral landscape of our province,” said Clinch.

The commission will hold public meetings, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the following locations:

  • Inkerman: Tuesday, Aug. 23 – Centre Communautaire d'Inkerman
  • Campbellton: Wednesday, Aug. 24 – Quality Hotel and Conference Centre
  • Bathurst: Thursday, Aug. 25 – K.C. Irving Regional Centre
  • Miramichi: Tuesday, Aug. 30 – Travelodge Miramichi
  • Bouctouche: Wednesday, Aug. 31 – J.K. Irving Centre
  • Moncton: Thursday, Sept. 1 – Delta Beauséjour
  • Edmundston: Tuesday, Sept. 6 – Edmundston Hotel and Conference Centre
  • Grand Falls: Wednesday, Sept. 7 – Rodeway Inn
  • Woodstock: Thursday, Sept. 8 – NBCC Woodstock
  • Saint Andrews: Tuesday, Sept. 13 – NBCC Saint Andrews
  • Saint John: Wednesday, Sept. 14 – Delta Saint John
  • Fredericton: Thursday, Sept. 15 – Delta Fredericton

In addition to the in-person, public meetings, there will be two virtual meetings, allowing individuals and organizations to make presentations online. These will be held Thursday, Sept. 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Those wishing to make presentations during these virtual meetings must book an appointment in advance by contacting the commission.

There is also an opportunity to make submissions or provide feedback on possible boundary changes through the commission’s website.

Those interested in presenting a brief to the commission should contact the office at 506-462-5403, 1-833-938-1600 or commissionnb@gnb.ca.

The commission is scheduled to release its preliminary report in mid-December.