Justice Minister Don Morgan today announced the appointment of the three-member Constituency Boundaries Commission that will redraw the constituency boundaries for provincial elections.

Under The Constituency Boundaries Act, 1993, the government appoints a commission to redraw the boundaries every 10 years after the release of the Census. The commission will ensure that the new boundaries result in roughly an equal number of voters in each constituency. An exception is made for the two constituencies in the far north, which are allowed to have fewer voters due to their sparse population and large geographic area.

Justice Neil Gabrielson of the Court of Queen’s Bench, Saskatoon, has been named Chair of the Commission by the Chief Justice of Saskatchewan.

As has been the practice in the past, the government nominated one commission member and the Official Opposition nominated the other member.

The government nominee is Stuart Pollon, a chartered accountant, certified public accountant and partner with KPMG in Regina. Pollon also served on the last Constituency Boundaries Commission in 2002.

The Official Opposition nominated Harry Van Mulligen of Regina, who was an MLA from 1986 to 2009 and held several cabinet posts, including Finance and Social Services.

The Commission will produce an interim report within three months and a final report within six months. It may hold public hearings as it deems appropriate. The Chief Electoral Officer will provide technical assistance to the Commission.

It is expected that the Commission’s final report will be adopted by the Legislative Assembly and the new boundaries will come into effect in the next provincial election. Until then, the current boundaries remain in effect.