Miyashiro questions Neudorf’s boundary change proposal
By Lethbridge Herald on August 16, 2025.
Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge-West MLA Rob Miyashiro has expressed concern about the electoral boundaries proposed by Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf and city council member John Middleton-Hope.
Both Neudorf and Middleton-Hope made written submissions to the Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission in May, proposing that Lethbridge’s two current ridings be divided into four sections. The ridings would replace the current ridings of Lethbridge West and Lethbridge East, divided by 13th Street in the heart of the city.
The proposed new ridings would be as follows:
1. Lethbridge-Cardston with boundaries within the city expanding between Whoop-Up Drive and continuing onto 6 Avenue South to Mayor Magrath Drive/Highway 5. Covering areas like Paradise Canyon, Copperwood, Sunridge, University of Lethbridge, Tudor Estates, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Victoria Park, London Road and Southridge.
2. Lethbridge-Livingston with boundaries within the city expanding between Whoop-Up Drive and the Oldman River, covering areas like Country Meadows, Indian Battle Heights, the River Valley and a portion of Highway 3 within city limits.
3. Lethbridge-Little Bow with boundaries within the city expanding between the Oldman River, 6 Avenue South to Mayor Magrath and 26 Street North covering areas like Downtown Lethbridge, the River valley, Legacy Ridge, Blackwolf, Park Meadows and Westminster.
4. Lethbridge-Taber with boundaries within the city expanding between 26 Avenue North, Mayor Magrath Drive/Highway 5 covering areas like Industrial Parks, W T Hill Business Park, Glendale, Henderson Lake, Lakeview, Fairmont, Southgate, Arbour Ridge and the Lethbridge Airport.
“The boundaries proposed by Minister…Neudorf are extremely concerning,” said Miyashiro, “not only because they would lead to poorer representation for both urban and rural Albertans, but because they mimic some of the gerrymandering tactics we’ve seen in the United States.”
Though Neudorf’s proposal was submitted as MLA for Lethbridge-East, Miyashiro says he should have been transparent about the fact that he is also a Minister of the Crown.
And John Middleton-Hope, who made his submission as private citizen, should have also been transparent about his position within city council, said Miyashiro, a former council member himself.
“They are elected officials, and they are trying to intervene to make it easier for the UCP candidates to get elected in Lethbridge. You can’t, as an elected official, start speaking about things that affect your community without having a bearing on your role as an elected official.”
There were a total of 189 written submission to the Alberta Electoral Boundaries Commission, with just 17 of them being submitted by constituents of Lethbridge, Coalhurst and Coaldale, who would be affected by the proposed changes.
Of those 17 submissions, 10 were against changing the electoral boundaries, while seven, including Neudorf, Middleton-Hope, three elected officials from the Town of Coaldale, the Coaldale Chamber of Commerce and a few private Lethbridge citizens, were in favour.
Miyashiro said the proposed boundaries will have needs and priorities that are distinct within both urban and rural constituents, and this was made abundantly clear during the public hearing on the subject held at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge on May 29.
“Almost everyone’s presentations there were about not combining urban and rural ridings, because it leads to a less adequate representation of the residents in both communities.”
He pointed out that the whole idea of the Boundary Commission is to look at fairness and how each vote is going to be treated the same way.
“This has nothing to do with economics, but proper representation and fairness of the boundary map.”
Creating more of these hybrid ridings that combine urban and rural communities also makes it harder for any elected official to fight for the unique needs of their community, said Miyashiro. That his hurts everyone – except the UCP government and its re-election chances.
“Lethbridge residents are distinct from those in our neighbouring rural communities. I know this as a resident of Lethbridge, a former Lethbridge city councillor, and someone who grew up in rural southern Alberta.”
Miyashiro is also concerned about having multiple rural-urban ridings because it would almost guarantee that urban voters’ voices are drowned out by rural majorities, making certain votes count for less.
“When drawing electoral boundary maps, there should always be one guiding question: does this promote fairness within our voting system? Fairness means each vote carries the same weight. Fairness means elected officials can do their job and represent their communities.”
Much like former Lethbridge mayor David Carpenter told the Herald, Miyashiro said Neudorf’s proposed map appears designed to improve a particular party’s political advantage in the next provincial election.
“Lethbridge is a vibrant, diverse city with unique needs,” said Miyashiro. “We must ensure our electoral boundaries reflect that and not political convenience.”
The Herald tried repeatedly to reach Neudorf for comment but was unable to by deadline.
27
-26
“It is a conspiracy!” yells the NDP once more! It is a plot and has nothing to do with allowing residents to be properly represented while reducing the workload for the MLA office!
However, what is the NDP’s understanding of representation? For the final two and a half years of her term as an MLA, Shannon Phillips was rarely reachable because her office was closed during that time, forcing the Lethbridge MLA East to handle the majority of the needs of her constituents. That put a lot of work on Nathan Neudorf’s staff. However, the NDP does not listen to the people in their own constituency and is simply skilled at complaining.
I state this as one who had the displeasure of being in the Lethbridge MLA West constituency and that office did little to listen or voice our concerns! I am all for this plan which will give us all better representation!