Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon (British Columbia) 182/338

 Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon (British Columbia)

Today we're back in the Fraser Valley with Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon!

Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon has existed as a riding since the 2012 redistribution, created from Abbotsford, Chilliwack—Fraser Canyon, and Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission. The population of the riding was 101,216 in 2021. The riding contains the communities of Abbotsford (153,524 in 2021), Mission (41,519 in 2021), and Kent (6,300 in 2021).

Politically, this seat has had some interesting trends. First, the seat was a surprise Liberal win in 2015, their win can be attributed to both Mission and the Clearbrook neighbourhood of Abbotsford which is in this riding (which arguably keeps the Liberals competitive to this day). Second, the Conservatives have improved their popular vote in the past two elections, when the rest of the Fraser Valley went towards the NDP and PPC in 2021. This riding is currently represented by Conservative MP Brad Vis.

In provincial redistribution news, Mission is currently split between two ridings: Maple Ridge—Mission and Abbotsford—Mission despite having a population below the quota of around 54,000. On March 28, 2022, the Mayor of Mission (Paul Horn), as well as the two MLAs (Bob D'Eith and Pam Alexis), and others signed a letter to the Electoral Boundaries Commission of BC urging the commission to give Mission its own sole riding (while including some electoral areas to the East). They outlined five reasons, namely population growth, neighbourhood representation, indigenous peoples, splitting municipalities, and more. The preliminary report is due in Fall of 2022, which includes up to 6 new ridings without the current special Northern representation. In 2019, this seat was 25/42 in BC and 148/338 in Canada by margin.

The name is not my favourite, a bit long winded, but it all has a reason to be there I suppose. In terms of shape, I like the way the commission last time dealt with the electoral areas north of the Lower Mainland in 2012. As for individuality, looking back this is one of the more surprising 2015 Liberal wins. 

Tomorrow we begin our Mississauga adventure with Mississauga Centre!