Summary#

This bill changes how seats in the House of Commons are assigned after each 10-year census. It sets a floor so no province can have fewer seats than it had in the 43rd Parliament (2019–2021) (s.51(1) Rule 2). It also tells Elections Canada how to redo the 2021 seat calculation and boundary process to apply this change right away (Transitional s.(1)-(7)).

• Provinces keep at least their 43rd Parliament seat counts in all future redistributions (s.51(1) Rule 2).
• For the 2021 census round, Quebec keeps 78 seats instead of dropping to 77 under the earlier calculation (Canada Gazette, October 16, 2021; Transitional s.(1)-(2)).
• Total seats in the House increase by 1 compared with the prior 2021 calculation, from 342 to 343; compared with the 43rd Parliament, total seats rise by 5 (338 to 343) (Canada Gazette, October 16, 2021; s.51(1) Rule 2).
• Boundary commissions must adjust their work where seat numbers changed, with new deadlines starting from the date the revised seat totals are published (Transitional s.(2)(b)-(c)).
• Current boundaries and the 2013 Representation Order stay in effect until the new order takes effect under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act (EBR Act s.25; Transitional s.(6)).

What it means for you#

• Households and voters

  • Your province will never have fewer MPs than it had in the 43rd Parliament, even if its population grows more slowly in the future (s.51(1) Rule 2).
  • If you live in Quebec, your province keeps 78 MPs for the next election cycle, rather than 77 as first calculated in 2021 (Canada Gazette, October 16, 2021; Transitional s.(1)-(2)).
  • If you live in Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia, your provinces still gain seats under the 2021 census (Ontario +1 to 122, Alberta +3 to 37, British Columbia +1 to 43) (Canada Gazette, October 16, 2021).
  • Riding boundaries in many provinces will change to reflect the updated seat counts. Changes apply at the first election called at least 7 months after the new representation order is proclaimed (EBR Act s.25; Transitional s.(6)).

• Workers and service users

  • More MPs in some provinces means more constituency offices and staff serving those areas once the new representation order takes effect. Exact locations and staffing are decided by each MP and House rules (EBR Act; House administration policies). Data unavailable on specific offices.

• Elections administrators

  • Where the revised seat count differs from the October 16, 2021 “old calculation,” any reports or steps based on the old number are void, and the commission must redo its report with a new 10‑month clock starting on the Canada Gazette publication date (Transitional s.(2)(a)-(c); EBR Act s.20(1)).

• Political parties and candidates

  • One additional seat nationally compared with the prior 2021 calculation means another nomination and campaign to run once the new order is in force (s.51(1) Rule 2; Transitional s.(1)-(2)).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No fiscal note was published. The bill does not set specific dollar amounts.
• Quantified seat impacts:
  • Old 2021 calculation: 342 seats total (Ontario 122, Alberta 37, British Columbia 43, Quebec 77; others unchanged) (Canada Gazette, October 16, 2021).
  • With this bill’s floor: 343 seats total (Quebec retained at 78) (s.51(1) Rule 2; Transitional s.(1)-(2)).
• Incremental effect of this bill versus the old 2021 calculation: +1 MP nationally. Ongoing costs per MP (salary, office, travel) are set by House rules and appropriations. Data unavailable on total annual amount attributable to one MP in the relevant fiscal years.

Proponents' View#

• Protects provincial voice: No province will lose seats in future redistributions, preserving a minimum level of representation even when population grows slowly (s.51(1) Rule 2).
• Immediate fairness for Quebec: Reverses the 2021 drop from 78 to 77 seats so Quebec’s representation does not decline between decennial censuses (Transitional s.(1)-(2); Canada Gazette, October 16, 2021).
• Limited change to the system: Provinces that were slated to gain seats under the 2021 census still gain them; the bill adds only one extra seat nationally compared with the existing formula (Canada Gazette, October 16, 2021; s.51(1) Rule 2).
• Clear process and timeline: Sets out how Elections Canada must recalculate seats and re‑start commission timelines where needed, reducing uncertainty (Transitional s.(1)-(3)).

Opponents' View#

• Weaker representation by population: Freezing a provincial seat floor can make seat shares less proportional to population over time, especially if slower‑growing provinces keep their minimums while others grow (s.51(1) Rule 2).
• House size creep: Adding a permanent floor increases the chance the total number of MPs will keep rising to accommodate growth elsewhere, raising long‑term costs. No fiscal estimate is provided (Data unavailable).
• Administrative disruption: The bill voids certain commission reports and steps where seat numbers changed, forcing rework and potential delays in boundary readjustment (Transitional s.(2)(a)-(c)).
• Precedent risk: Changing the allocation rules mid‑cycle may invite future ad hoc adjustments, complicating planning for Elections Canada and parties (Transitional s.(1)-(7)).