Determining the Boundaries 

In determining the area to be included in and in fixing the boundaries of the proposed electoral divisions, the Commission may take into consideration any factors it considers appropriate, but shall take into consideration:

• the requirement for effective representation as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

• sparsity and density of population;

• common community interests and community organizations, including those of Indian reserves and Metis settlements;

• wherever possible, the existing community boundaries within the cities of Edmonton and Calgary;

• wherever possible, the existing municipal boundaries;

• the number of municipalities and other local authorities;

• geographical features, including existing road systems;

• the desirability of understandable and clear boundaries.

The population of a proposed electoral division must not be more than 25% above nor below the average population of all the proposed electoral divisions.

Notwithstanding this, in the case of no more than 4 of the proposed electoral divisions, if the Commission is of the opinion that at least 3 of the following criteria exist in a population that is as much as 50% below the average population of all the proposed electoral divisions:

• the area of the proposed electoral division exceeds 20 000 square kilometres or the total surveyed area of the proposed electoral division exceeds 15 000 square kilometres;

• the distance from the Legislature Building in Edmonton to the nearest boundary of the proposed electoral division by the most direct highway route is more than 150 kilometres;

• there is no town in the proposed electoral division that has a population exceeding 4000 people;

• the area of the proposed electoral division contains an Indian reserve or a Metis settlement;

• the proposed electoral division has a portion of its boundary coterminous with a boundary of the Province of Alberta.