Rocky and Sundre back together

in new proposed riding

By Glen Mazza
Editor

Rocky Mountain House and Sundre would remain together in a provincial electoral constituency under a revised boundary proposal that would preserve much of the existing riding while removing Rimbey.

The Independent Advisory Panel on Electoral Boundaries submitted its recommendations on Oct. 22, proposing a Rocky Mountain House-Sundre constituency as part of a new electoral map containing 91 ridings, compared with the current 87.

The report, tabled in the Alberta Legislature on Nov. 2, reverses earlier recommendations that would have divided the region among other constituencies.

However, the recommendations have not been adopted into law, and Elections Alberta has raised concerns about implementing new boundaries before the Oct. 18, 2027 provincial election.

Rocky and Sundre remain together

Under the proposal, Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, Nordegg, Sundre and the O’Chiese and Sunchild First Nations reserves would be included in a constituency extending west to the British Columbia border.
Rimbey would move into a proposed Wetaskiwin-Ponoka riding.

The Rocky Mountain House-Sundre constituency would cover approximately 25,000 square kilometres, extending north to the Brazeau River and generally east of the Highway 22 corridor.

The advisory panel identified common interests across the region, including forestry, agriculture, oil and gas development, tourism and recreation.

Nixon opposed earlier boundaries

The revised proposal follows opposition to earlier recommendations that would have eliminated the existing Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre constituency.

The Electoral Boundaries Commission had proposed a large Lacombe-Clearwater riding, extending from Rocky Mountain House and Nordegg east toward Lacombe and Blackfalds.

MLA Jason Nixon opposed the breakup.

In a written submission dated Dec. 19, 2025, Nixon argued that Rocky Mountain House, Sundre and communities along the Eastern Slopes share economic and geographic characteristics that distinguish them from communities farther east.

He emphasized keeping Clearwater County together and maintaining representation for communities connected by common industries, transportation routes and regional interests.

The latest recommendation largely reflects Nixon’s concerns, although Rimbey would no longer be included.

Special consideration for rural riding

The proposed constituency would have approximately 30,000 residents, about 44 per cent below the provincial average of 53,722.

The panel recommends special consideration under electoral boundary legislation because of the riding’s large geographic area, rural transportation challenges and First Nations communities.

The original commission proposed 89 constituencies, but subsequent legislative changes allowed for 91, providing an opportunity to retain rural ridings previously recommended for elimination.

Election deadline raises concerns

In an Oct. 30 letter to MLAs, chief electoral officer Gordon McClure warned that Elections Alberta might not have sufficient time to implement the new boundaries before the 2027 election.

Elections Alberta generally requires 12 to 18 months to prepare for a provincial election, including establishing districts, updating systems and organizing voting locations.

McClure suggested using the existing 87 constituencies or extending the election date where legally permitted.
However, Justice Minister Mickey Amery stated the government has no intention of changing the legislated election date.

The proposed boundaries must still receive legislative approval. Until then, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre remains the existing constituency represented by Nixon.