Public hearing dates announced

The Electoral Boundaries Commission has announced that the commission will be holding public hearings to assist it in the evaluation of their proposed provincial electoral boundaries. The commission is composed of retired Supreme Court Judge John O�Neill, chairperson; Robert Aylward, vice-chair; and commissioners Julie Eveleigh, Roger Grimes, and Cle Newhook. Hearings will begin on September 18 in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and continue in other locations in the province until the end of October. Radio announcements will be made during the week before the scheduled hearings are held advising of the specific times and locations.

In addition to garnering information via public consultations, the commission has established a web site at www.gov.nl.ca/ebc containing the descriptions and maps of the proposed districts. Interested individuals, municipalities, and organizations are invited to submit written briefs to the commission via fax, e-mail or regular mail. Information is available through the commission web site.

"I encourage all electors to take the time to provide their suggestions or proposals via the website or through the consultations," said Mr. O�Neill. "We want to hear what the district concerns are."

SCHEDULE OF HEARINGS

Media contact: Diane Blackmore, (709) 729-7730, 1-866-393-3181

2006 09 11                     3:20 p.m.