How are ridings in Canada drawn?

[Idioteque]

Here in the US, there are very few competitive Congressional districts. Most districts are drawn for a particular party and incumbents usually win by a large margin.

Compare that to Canada, where it looks like the tories will pick up a bunch of seats and form a minority government.

Who draws the ridings in Canada and how the hell are they so competitive?

[Canadian Socialist]

1. Here's a link

to the information you requested.
http://tinyurl.com/bwauo
"Readjustment of Electoral Boundaries
and Representation in the House of Commons

Representation in the House of Commons is readjusted after each decennial (10-year) census to reflect changes and movements in Canada's population, in accordance with the Constitution Act, 1867, and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act."
Hope this helps!

[V. Kid]

2. It's non-partisan, unlike the States so there's no gerrymandering...

...theoretically. And when there was, people would make a big stink about it.

[SidDithers]

3. Usually, we just pee in the snow...

you can write your name that way too.

(though not this winter, 12C in Oakville today, sheesh)

Sid

[iverglas]

4. come to think of it ...

Isn't it time Stephen Harper had something to say about this??

Federal Electoral Boundaries Commissions (one per province/territory) are "independent bodies" ... appointed by the federal government ... just like judges! (They are composed of judges -- appointed by the party in government -- and people appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons -- appointed by the party in government.) Eek! They *must* be biased against right-thinking Canadians!

That's not to say there won't ever be any grounds for disagreement with their decisions. The most common ground here is that a "community of interest", specifically a minority language community (e.g. an Acadian community in New Brunswick, in one recent disputed decision), is being artificially split between two or more electoral districts.

Here's a Q&A:
http://www.elections.ca/scripts/fedrep/federal_e/questions_e.htm
(the tinyurl link above didn't work for me)

1.How often are federal electoral boundaries readjusted?
2.How many commissions are established?
3.What is the composition of each commission?
4.How can the public participate?
5.What role does Elections Canada play in the process?
6.What criteria guide the commissions when establishing the federal electoral boundaries?
7.How is the number of electoral districts determined?
8.When will the new electoral boundaries come into force?

with answers, of course.