Athabasca (Alberta provincial electoral district)
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "For". Template:Use Canadian English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template other Athabasca was a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada, mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1905 to 1986.[1]
History
The Athabasca electoral district was one of the original 25 electoral districts contested in the 1905 Alberta general election upon Alberta becoming a province in September 1905. Throughout the years the boundaries of this district in northeast Alberta changed.
The Athabasca electoral district returned a single member to the Legislative Assembly through first-past-the-post system of voting from 1905 until 1924, when the United Farmers government introduced a new The Alberta Election Act which instituted instant-runoff voting in rural electoral districts throughout the province.[2] Instant-runoff voting remained in use until the Social Credit government amended The Election Act prior to the 1959 Alberta general election. The new Act returned every district in the province to a single member elected through first-past-the-post voting system.[3] Instant-runoff voting had no evident impact on the results in the Athabasca district, as a candidate received a majority of votes (above 50%) in the first round of counting in all general elections besides 1926, 1940 and 1955. In those three cases the candidate in the winning position in the first round went on to be elected even after vote transfers.[4]
The Athabasca district was re-distributed prior to the 1986 Alberta general election. The area the district covered was merged with Lac La Biche to form the riding of Athabasca-Lac La Biche.
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
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Boundary history
| Athabasca 1905 Boundaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordering districts | |||
| North | East | West | South |
| N/A | N/A | Peace River | St. Albert, Sturgeon, Victoria |
| Legal description from The Alberta Act, 4 & 5 Edward VII 1905, c. 3 (The Alberta Act at Wikisource) | |||
| "Commencing at the eastern boundary of the province of Alberta where it is intersected by the north boundary of the 70th township; thence northerly along the said eastern boundary of the province of Alberta to the northern boundary of the said province; thence westerly along the said northern boundary of the province of Alberta to the meridian between the 20th and 21st ranges, west of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the said meridian between the 20th and 21st ranges to the north boundary of the 92nd township; thence westerly along the said north boundary of the 92nd townships to the meridian between the 13th and 14th ranges, west of the 5th meridian; thence southerly along the said meridian between the 13th and 14th ranges, west of the 5th meridian to the north boundary of the 80th township; thence westerly along the said north boundary of the 80th townships to the meridian between the 19th and 20th ranges, west of the 5th meridian; thence southerly along the said meridian between the 19th and 20th ranges to the north boundary of the 70th township; thence easterly along the said north boundary of the 70th townships to the point of commencement." | |||
| Note: | |||
| Athabasca 1913 boundaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordering districts | |||
| North | East | West | South |
| N/A | N/A | Peace River, Grouard | Beaver River, Sturgeon, St. Paul |
| Legal description from The Legislative Assembly Act, S.A. 1913, c. 2 | |||
| "Commencing at the eastern boundary of the Province of Alberta where it is intersected by the northern boundary of the said province; thence west along the northern boundary of the said Province of Alberta to the meridian line between ranges 13 and 14, west of the 5th meridian; thence south along the said meridian line between ranges 13 and 14, west of the 5th meridian to the north boundary of the 92nd townships; thence east along the said north boundary of the 92nd townships to the meridian line between ranges 24 and 25, west of the 4th meridian; thence south along the said meridian line between ranges 24 and 25, west of the 4th meridian to the north boundary of the 65th townships; thence east along the said north boundary of 65th townships to the meridian line between ranges 17 and 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence north along said meridian line between ranges 17 and 18, west of the 4th meridian to the north boundary of the 70th townships; thence east along the said north boundary of the 70th townships to the eastern boundary of the Province of Alberta; thence north along said eastern boundary of the Province of Alberta to the point of commencement." | |||
| Note: | |||
| Athabasca 1930 boundaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordering districts | |||
| North | East | West | South |
| N/A | N/A | Peace River, Grouard, Pembina | Beaver River, Sturgeon, St. Paul |
| Legal description from The Legislative Assembly Act, S.A. 1930, c. 14 | |||
| "—Commencing at the intersection of the 5th meridian with the north boundary of the Province of Alberta; thence south along the said 5th meridian to the north boundary of townships 92; thence east along the said north boundary of townships 92 to the meridian line between ranges 24 and 25, west of the 4th meridian; thence south along the said meridian line between ranges 24 and 25, west of the 4th meridian, to the north boundary of townships 62; thence east along the said north boundary of townships 62 to the meridian line between ranges 21 and 22, west of the 4th meridian; thence north along the said meridian line between ranges 21 and 22, west of the 4th meridian, to the north boundary of townships 63; thence east along the said north boundary of townships 63 to the meridian line between ranges 17 and 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence north along the said meridian line between ranges 17 and 18, west of the 4th meridian, to the north boundary of townships 70; thence east along the north boundary of townships 70 to the east boundary of the Province of Alberta; thence north along the said east boundary of the Province of Alberta to the north boundary of the Province of Alberta; thence west along the said north boundary of the Province of Alberta to the point of commencement." | |||
| Note: | |||
| Athabasca 1939 boundaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordering districts | |||
| North | East | West | South |
| N/A | N/A | Peace River, Grouard, Pembina | Beaver River, Redwater, St. Paul |
| Legal description from The Legislative Assembly Act, S.A. 1939, c. 94 | |||
| "—Electoral Division of Athabaska, the boundary whereof is as follows: Commencing at the intersection of the 60th degree parallel of latitude with the 4th meridian; thence south along the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 72, range 1, west of the 4th meridian; thence west along the north boundary of township 72, ranges 1 to 17, inclusive, west of the 4th meridian, to the north-east corner of township 72, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence south along the meridian between ranges 17 and 18, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 60, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence west along the north boundary of township 60, ranges 18 to 20, inclusive, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 60, range 21, west of the 4th meridian; thence south along the east boundary of township 60, range 21, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 59, range 21, west of the 4th meridian; thence west along the north boundary of township 59, ranges 21 to 23, inclusive, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 59, range 24, west of the 4th meridian; thence north along the east boundary of township 60, range 24, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 60, range 24, west of the 4th meridian; thence west along the north boundary of the said township to the northeast corner of township 60, range 25, west of the 4th meridian; thence north along. the meridian between ranges 24 and 25, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 76, range 25, west of the 4th meridian; thence east along the north boundary of township 76, ranges 24 to 21, inclusive, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 76, range 21, west of the 4th meridian; thence north along the meridian between ranges 20 and 21, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 82, range 21, west of the 4th meridian, then west along the north boundary of township 82, ranges 21 to 26, inclusive, to the intersection with the 5th meridian; thence north along the 5th meridian to the intersection with the 60th degree parallel of latitude; thence east along the 60th degree parallel of latitude to the point of commencement." | |||
| Note: | |||
| Athabasca 1950 boundaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordering districts | |||
| North | East | West | South |
| Lac La Biche | N/A | Grouard, Pembina | Redwater, St. Albert |
| Legal description from The Legislative Assembly Act, S.A. 1950, c. 36 | |||
| "—Electoral Division of Athabasca, the boundary whereof is as follows : Commencing at the intersection of the left bank of the Athabasca River with the east boundary of section 1, township 72, range 26, west of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the meridian between ranges 25 and 26 to the north-east corner of section 12, township 59, range 26, west of the 4th meridian; thence easterly along the north boundary of sections 7 to 12 inclusive, township 59, range 25, west of the 4th meridian and sections 7 to 12 inclusive of township 59, range 24, west of the 4th, meridian; thence northerly along the meridian between ranges 23 and 24 to the north-east corner of township 59, range 24, west of the 4th meridian; thence easterly along the north boundary of township 59, range 23, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 59, range 23, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the meridian between ranges 22 and 23 to the north-east corner of township 60, range 23, west of the 4th meridian; thence easterly along the north boundary of township 60, ranges 22 to 18 inclusive, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 60, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the meridian between ranges 17 and 18 to the north-east corner of township 63, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence westerly along the north boundary of township 63, range 18, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 63, range 19, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the meridian between ranges 18 and 19 to the north-east corner of township 65, range 19, west of the fourth meridian; thence westerly along the north boundary of township 65, ranges 19 and 20, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 65, range 21, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the meridian between ranges 20 and 21 to an intersection with the left bank of the Athabasca River; thence in a generally north-easterly direction along the said left bank to its intersection with the north boundary of township 69, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence easterly along the north boundary of township 69, range 18, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 69, range 18, . west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the meridian between ranges 17 and 18 to the north-east corner of township 73, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence easterly along the north boundary of township 73, ranges 17 and 16, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 73, range 16, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the meridian between ranges 15 and 16 to the north-east corner of township 85, range 16, west of the 4th meridian; thence westerly along the north boundary of township 85, ranges 16 to 20 inclusive west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of township 85, range 21, west of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the meridian between ranges 20 and 21 to the north-east corner of township 76, range 21, west of the 4th meridian; thence westerly along the north boundary of township 76, ranges 21 to 24 inclusive, west of the 4th meridian to the northeast corner of township 76, range 25, west . of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the meridian between ranges 24 and 25 to an intersection with the left bank of the Athabasca River; thence in a generally south-westerly direction along the said left bank to the point of commencement." | |||
| Note: | |||
| Athabasca 1970 boundaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordering districts | |||
| North | East | West | South |
| Lac La Biche-McMurray, Lesser Slave Lake | N/A | Barrhead | Redwater-Andrew, St. Albert |
| Legal description from The Legislative Assembly Act, S.A. 1970, c. 34 | |||
| "—The boundary whereof is as follows : Commencing at the north-east corner of township 76, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the east boundary of range 18, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of section 1 in township 61, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence westerly along the north boundary of sections 1 to 6 in township 61, range 18, west of the 4th meridian and sections 1 to 6 in township 61, range 19, west of the 4th meridian and sections 1 to 6 in township 61, range 20, west of the 4th meridian and sections 1 to 6 in township 61, range 21, west of the 4th meridian to the east boundary of range 22, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the said east boundary to the north boundary of township 61; thence westerly along the said north boundary to the east boundary of range 26, west of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the said east boundary to the northeast corner of section 12 in township 59, range 26, west of the 4th meridian; thence westerly along the north boundary of sections 7 to 12 inclusive in township 59, range 26, west of the 4th meridian and sections 8 to 12 inclusive in township 59, range 27, west of the 4th meridian to the 5th meridian; thence northerly along the said 5th meridian to its most southerly intersection with the left bank of the Pembina River in township 60; thence downstream along the said left bank to its intersection with the right bank of the Athabasca River; thence downstream along the said right bank of the Athabasca River to the north boundary of township 66; thence westerly along the said north boundary to the east boundary of range 3, west of the 5th meridian; thence northerly along the said east boundary to the north boundary of township 68; thence easterly along the said north boundary to the east boundary of range 26, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the said east boundary to the left bank of the Athabasca River; thence downstream along the said left bank to the east boundary of range 25, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the said east boundary to the north boundary of township 76; thence easterly along the said north boundary to the point of commencement." | |||
| Note: | |||
| Athabasca 1977 boundaries | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bordering districts | |||
| North | East | West | South |
| Lac La Biche-McMurray, Lesser Slave Lake | N/A | Barrhead | Redwater-Andrew, St. Albert |
| Legal description from The Legislative Assembly Act, S.A. 1977, c. 28 | |||
| "—The boundary whereof is as follows: Commencing at the north-east corner of township 76, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the east boundary of range 18, west of the 4th meridian to the north-east corner of section 1 in township 61, range 18, west of the 4th meridian; thence westerly along the north boundary of sections 1 to 6 in said township and sections 1 to 6 in township 61, range 19, west of the 4th meridian and sections 1 to 6 in township 61, range 20, west of the 4th meridian and sections 1 to 6 in township 61, range 21, west of the 4th meridian to the east boundary of range 22, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the said east boundary to the north boundary of township 61; thence westerly along the said north boundary to the east boundary of range 26, west of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the said east boundary to the north boundary of township 58; thence easterly along the said north boundary to the north-east corner of section 35 in township 58, range 26, west of the 4th meridian; thence southerly along the east boundary of sections 35, 26, 23, 14, 11 and 2 in said township and sections 35, 26, 23 and 14 in township 57, range 26, west of the 4th meridian to the northeast corner of section 11 in township 57, range 26, west of the 4th meridian; thence westerly along the north boundary of sections 7 to 11 inclusive in said township and sections 7 to 12 inclusive in township 57, range 27, west of the 4th meridian to the 5th meridian; thence northerly along the said 5th meridian to its most southerly intersection with the left bank of the Pembina River in township 60; thence downstream along the said left bank to its intersection with the right bank of the Athabasca River; thence downstream along the said right bank of the Athabasca River to the north boundary of township 66; thence westerly along the said north boundary to the east boundary of range 3, west of the 5th meridian; thence northerly along the said east boundary to the north boundary of township 68; thence easterly along the said north boundary to the left bank of the Athabasca River; thence downstream along the said left bank to the east boundary of range 25, west of the 4th meridian; thence northerly along the said east boundary to the north boundary of township 76; thence easterly along the said north boundary to the point of commencement." | |||
| Note: | |||
Election results
1905
| Returning officer[5] |
|---|
| Henry Barrington Round |
The Athabasca electoral district was created in 1905 as part of the original twenty-five electoral districts when Alberta was formed into a province from the Northwest Territories. The district consisted mostly of undeveloped wilderness covering the eastern half of northern Alberta. In 1905 the primary occupation was hunting and trapping and the local economy existed around the fur trade. The town of Athabasca, which was the only major settlement in the district, was experiencing a boom at that time as people flocked north to buy real estate.[6]
The provincial Liberal party nominated William Fletcher Bredin as their candidate. He was a pioneer fur trader and was well known in the district.[7] He made history by becoming the first person acclaimed to serve in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.[8] The provincial Conservative party being very weak in organization in northern Alberta was unable to find a candidate to oppose him. This was the only electoral district during this general election that sent a candidate to Edmonton by acclamation. Template:Alberta provincial election, 1905/Athabasca
1909
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1909/Athabasca
1913
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1913/Athabasca
1917
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1917/Athabasca
1918 by-election
Template:Alberta provincial by-election, September 27, 1918/Athabasca
1920 by-election
Template:Alberta provincial by-election, June 3, 1920/Athabasca
1921
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1921/Athabasca
1926
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1926/Athabasca
1930
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1930/Athabasca
1935
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1935/Athabasca
1935 by-election
Template:Alberta provincial by-election, November 4, 1935/Athabasca
1940
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1940/Athabasca
1944
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1944/Athabasca
1948
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1948/Athabasca
1952
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1952/Athabasca
1955
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1955/Athabasca
1959
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1959/Athabasca
1963
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1963/Athabasca
1967
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1967/Athabasca
1971
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1971/Athabasca
1975
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1975/Athabasca
1979
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1979/Athabasca
1982
Template:Alberta provincial election, 1982/Athabasca
Plebiscite results
1948 electrification plebiscite
District results from the first province wide plebiscite on electricity regulation:
| Option A | Option B |
|---|---|
| Are you in favour of the generation and distribution of electricity being continued by the Power Companies? | Are you in favour of the generation and distribution of electricity being made a publicly owned utility administered by the Alberta Government Power Commission? |
| 1,262 29.08% | 3,077 70.92% |
| Province wide result: Option A passed. | |
1957 liquor plebiscite
| 1957 Alberta liquor plebiscite results: Athabasca[9] | |||
| Question A: Do you approve additional types of outlets for the sale of beer, wine and spirituous liquor subject to a local vote? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot choice | Votes | % | |
| Yes | 1,161 | 64.11% | |
| No | 650 | 35.89% | |
| Total votes | 1,811 | 100% | |
| Rejected, spoiled and declined | 62 | ||
| 5,774 eligible electors, turnout 32.44% | |||
On October 30, 1957, a stand-alone plebiscite was held province wide in all 50 of the then current provincial electoral districts in Alberta. The government decided to consult Alberta voters to decide on liquor sales and mixed drinking after a divisive debate in the legislature. The plebiscite was intended to deal with the growing demand for reforming antiquated liquor control laws.[10]
The plebiscite was conducted in two parts. Question A, asked in all districts, asked the voters if the sale of liquor should be expanded in Alberta, while Question B, asked in a handful of districts within the corporate limits of Calgary and Edmonton, asked if men and women should be allowed to drink together in establishments.[9]
Province wide Question A of the plebiscite passed in 33 of the 50 districts while Question B passed in all five districts. Athbasca voted by a large majority in favor of the issue. The district recorded one of the lowest turnouts, well below the province wide 46% average.[9]
Official district returns were released to the public on December 31, 1957.[9] The Social Credit government in power at the time did not consider the results binding.[11] However, the results of the vote led the government to repeal all existing liquor legislation and introduce an entirely new Liquor Act.[12]
Municipal districts lying inside electoral districts that voted against the plebiscite were designated Local Option Zones by the Alberta Liquor Control Board and considered effective dry zones. Business owners who wanted a licence had to petition for a binding municipal plebiscite in order to be granted a licence.[13]
By-elections and member party changes
- September 27, 1918 — Appointment of Alexander Grant MacKay as the Minister of Municipal Affairs
- June 3, 1920 — Death of Alexander Grant MacKay
- November 4, 1935 — Resignation of Clarence Tade to provide a seat for Minister Charles Cathmer Ross
- November 7, 1938 — Death of Charles Cathmer Ross
- 1921 - 1926 — George Mills became an Independent Liberal (date not available).
- 1926 - 1930 — John W. Frame crossed the floor from the Liberals to the United Farmers of Alberta (date not available).
See also
- List of Alberta provincial electoral districts
- Canadian provincial electoral districts
- Athabaska, a federal electoral district in Alberta that was represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1925 to 1968
References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ The Alberta Election Act, S.A. 1924, c. 34
- ↑ The Election Act, S.A. 1956, c. 15
- ↑ A Report on Alberta Elections, 1905-1982
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Further reading
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External links
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