New federal riding Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee (submitted image)

By Pete McIntyre

Final report

Greater Vernon and Lake Country part of new federal riding

Jul 20, 2023 | 4:00 PM

The North Okanagan and Shuswap will be split into two federal ridings as part of changes suggested by a special commission.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for B.C. tabled its final report in the House of Commons on July 19.

The report calls for a new riding called Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee that centres on Vernon and Lake Country.

The commission says it extends along the northwest portion of Okanagan Lake, and to Armstrong. It includes, on its east, the area from Coldstream through Lumby and the Monashees to Nakusp and the Slocan Valley.

(submitted image)

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Enderby and Salmon Arm, which are part of the current riding of North Okanagan-Shuswap which is connected to Vernon, would become part of of a new riding called Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies.

Current Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray was successful in getting the commission to add Lake Country to the new name, noting it’s one of the fastest growing communities in B.C.

“I want to thank the commission for taking into consideration an objection I brought forward on behalf of the residents of the District of Lake Country to ensure their municipality is reflected in the name of the new federal constituency that Lake Country will be a part of,” Gray said.

This report proposes a Kelowna electoral district that is different than its earlier proposal, to include the core of Kelowna, complete with the city centre and airport, and most of the Highway 33 corridor to south of Beaverdell.

Justice Mary Saunders, chair of the commission, said the chief electoral officer will use the electoral boundaries described in the report to draft a representation order, which should become official in September 2023.

The new electoral map will be used in the first general election called at least seven months after that.

For information on the redistribution process or to view the final report, visit redistribution2022.ca