MHA survivor? Answers to 6 key questions about cutting HOA seats

Cutting the number of MHAs isn't as simple as handing out pink slips to politicians or running an MHA Survivor contest. Here are answers to six key questions about the process.

Why cut the MHAs by 10?

Paul Davis says the only reason is money. He hasn't done any polling on this, or consulted the public or opposition. He says he thinks the government can function with 10 fewer MHAs and with falling oil revenues this is one way to save a few bucks.

But how much will it save?

In the context of the billions the province spends every year not a lot. In total it will save $2.5 million a year.
Right now the deficit is running at over $900 million a year, so this cut represents less than a third of a per cent of that.
In order to balance the books, we'd have to cut 3,600 MHAs.

Why the rush?

In the past redrawing boundaries took nine months. The premier wants it done in 90 days, saying technology and communication will make it easier. He has to call an election in the fall (there are fixed election dates) so he wants it done before then. The original review was supposed to happen next year, with any reductions coming in effect for 2019. 

But Davis says doing it now will save $10 million over the next four years.

Why does the House have to open next week?

In order to start the review the Electoral Boundaries Act has to change. The legislation needs to set out a timeline for the commission to do the review, and tell it how many seats to cut. Once the commission comes back the legislature will need to sit again to pass any changes recommended by the commission. 

The NDP is accusing the government of gerrymandering.  What is that, and how could it happen in this review?

Gerrymandering is when a political party rigs the boundaries to give them an advantage in elections. It's why the party in power doesn't get to directly set the boundaries. The commission will be independent, chaired by a judge appointed by the Chief Justice. The four commissioners will be chosen by the speaker who is supposed to be impartial, but was elected as a PC MHA. That leaves the opportunity for PCs to influence over the process, but in the past there was an effort to include representatives from all political parties.

What if I don't like how my district has been redrawn?

The premier is promising public input on the process. The last time the commission had hearings in nine places across the province. But ultimately the commission is just giving recommendations. The current MHAs will have to go back to the House and adopt (or not) the recommendations from the commission. So if you really don't like what the commission says, convince your MHA to not vote for it.