Library of Parliament Legislative Summary of Bill on Adding New House of Commons Seats

The Library of Parliament has made available its legislative summary of Bill C-20: An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act:

"The bill amends the Constitution Act, 1867 by readjusting the number of members and the representation of the provinces in the House of Commons. The bill also amends the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act to streamline the readjustment process and to ensure that the next readjustment can be completed prior to the next general election."

Under the new legislation:

• Ontario will receive an additional 15 seats
• British Columbia will receive an additional 6 seats
• Alberta will receive an additional 6 seats
• Quebec will receive three new seats which will be proportionate to its share of the population
  

It is possible to follow the progress of the bill through Parliament on the LEGISinfo website.