HAFF Committee Report
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 HOUSE OF COMMONS OTTAWA, CANADA |
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37th Parliament, 3rd Session |
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The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs has the honour to present its |
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SEVENTEENTH REPORT |
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Pursuant to its mandate under Standing Order 108(3)(a)(i), the Committee has considered matters affecting the ability of Members to provide effective representation to certain electoral districts. |
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In accordance with the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-3, as amended, the reports of the electoral boundaries commissions are laid before the House of Commons and referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. At the beginning of the 2002-2003 round of electoral redistribution, the Committee established a Subcommittee on Electoral Boundaries Readjustment to consider objections filed by Members of Parliament regarding the reports. |
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The Subcommittee dealt with 85 objections, and met 24 times over a four-month period. The Committee believes that its extensive experience and the insights gained should not be lost. The Committee is concurrently tabling a report that makes recommendations for legislative and administrative changes to the redistribution process. This report deals with one of the specific issues and themes that arose during the course of its work – the need for Members of the House of Commons to have adequate resources in order to properly carry out the roles and responsibilities associated with their offices. |
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Many of the newly-drawn constituencies in the Representation Order of August 25, 2003, contain new or enhanced challenges for representation. This is particularly apparent in rural or remote ridings where large distances, the configuration of the constituency, existing transportation and communication networks, and geographic challenges, such as mountain ranges, will create special demands. It has also been pointed out that some urban constituencies also face major challenges – such as growing population, the composition of the population, and historical patterns. |
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The Committee believes that effective representation involves more than just drawing constituency boundaries. Solutions must also be sought to relieve the pressures on MPs in ridings that present significant representation problems. In this regard, it is necessary to look at the resources available to Members who represent such ridings. There may also be technological or other means to improve an MP’s ability to work effectively between the riding office and the parliamentary office. |
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The Committee recommends that after each redistribution, the Board of Internal Economy review the resources needed by Members representing rural or remote ridings according to a formula that accounts for riding size, riding population and the provincial quotient. |
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A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meeting No. 13) is tabled. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
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Peter Adams, M.P. Chair |