By Mark Squibb/September 23, 2022
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission has proposed that the riding of St. John’s South—Mount Pearl be renamed Cape Spear, after the historic landmark that boasts the easternmost point of North America.
“Recognizing that there are several significant municipalities in the riding apart from St. John’s and Mount Pearl, all of which cannot be named explicitly in the riding name, the Commission has opted to continue its emphasis on the geographic naming principle,” reads the official proposal. “A major geographic feature of this district is its distinction as the most easterly point in North America. Accordingly, a new name of Cape Spear is proposed. It meets the objectives of simplicity, recognizability and history.”
The riding recorded a small population decrease from the 2011 census, and thus the Commission did not recommend any significant changes. They did, however, recommend two small boundary tweaks.
One proposed change would address an oddity that sees some residents in Conception Bay South voting in the St. John’s South— Mount Pearl riding.
Currently, a portion of the Foxtrap Access Road near Gull Pond lies within St. John’s South— Mount Pearl. The Commission has proposed moving the boundary line so as to follow the highway, thus bringing the entirety of the Foxtrap Access Road into the Avalon riding.
A second proposal would move the St. Johns South— Mount Pearl boarder slightly so as to include Harbour Drive and Southside Road alongside St. John’s Harbour in St. John’s East district.
The changes would see the district’s population, estimated at 81,544 in 2021, drop to 81,173.
The changes, if approved, would be effect for the next federal election.
