Voter Parity and the Quest for Effective Representation in the Yukon

In 2018, a bill attempting to establish new electoral boundaries in the Yukon following the recommendations of an electoral district boundary commission was defeated at second reading. As a result, the electoral boundaries in the territory remain the same as the ones established in 2008 despite population changes which have created significant variance within some of these districts. Legislation to establish boundaries recommended by a newly created electoral district boundaries commission will need to pass by spring 2025 if they are to be in place in time for the next general election (scheduled for November 3, 2025). In this article, the author describes the history of electoral district boundary commissions in the territory since the advent of partisan politics, explains why the recommendations in 2018 were not accepted, and outlines what he believes to be the two primary considerations the new commission must reconcile: providing fair and effective representation for rural communities and ensuring voter parity for Whitehorse area districts.

Floyd McCormick

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