Map showing new Provencher boundaries

The riding of Provencher will shrink considerably for the next federal election in 2015. The changes come after a review by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Review Commission.

Provencher MP Vic Toews says, because the population of the riding has grown so much, parts of the constituency will be shifted into other ridings. "A lot of the northern part of the riding has been removed from Provencher and has been placed into Selkirk Interlake. As well, a large southern part of my riding has been placed into Portage-Lisgar, the Town of Morris and the RM of Morris, have been moved over there."

The northern parts of the riding that are being moved include Lac du Bonnet, Powerview-Pine Falls, St. Georges and Pinawa.

Toews notes,  "I think it was a difficult decision for the Commission. It's a difficult situation for me in the sense that I've worked for the past ten or so years with many of those portions of the riding. I'm quite sad to see them go." But he adds those areas will be in good hands with solid MPs in both ridings.

Toews emphasizes he will continue to serve as the MP for the affected areas until the next election.

The electoral district of Provencher has seen substantial population growth over the past several years and currently has 12,000 to 15,000 more people than the average Manitoba electoral district. Toews says, "I would like to thank the Commission for their hard work and I trust that these decisions will once again create a greater balance within the Manitoba electoral districts."