Alberta will have two additional members in the legislature after the next election, if a new government bill is passed.

Bill 31 was tabled Tuesday afternoon, proposing an increase in the number of electoral districts from 87 to 89.

The justice minister says the change is necessary because of the province’s rapid growth, with about 150,000 people moving to Alberta since the last election.

He added that some ridings are a four-hour drive from one end to the other, making it difficult for rural MPs to meet in person with their constituents, particularly in northern Alberta.

“We have increased to 89, which will allow us to maintain a manageable number of voters if we only consider the population, in relation to the number of deputies elected in this assembly. This shows we want fair but effective representation for all Albertans,” said Mickey Amery, Alberta Justice Minister.

An electoral boundaries commission will be appointed to determine the new boundaries and names of the districts.
Alberta last added MLA seats in the 2012 election. Since then, the province has welcomed approximately one million residents.