The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for British Columbia has completed redrawing the map of electoral boundaries, which will be in effect for the next federal election.

The name of the riding Merritt resides in has changed from Okanagan-Coquihalla to Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. This riding now consists of places such as Merritt, Logan Lake, Princeton, Keremeos, Peachland, Summerland and West Kelowna.

Arguably the biggest changes are the loss of Penticton and incorporation of Princeton, Keremeos and parts of Kelowna.

The riding has dropped in population to 104,398 people which is slightly below the quota of 105,000. That quota is intended to be the average size of each riding to create an equal distribution of population.

This riding also has the smallest population of the B.C. Interior ridings. Okanagan-Coquihalla member of Parliament Dan Albas said the population of the riding has dropped by about 10,000 people.

Albas told the Herald with the absence of Penticton, Merritt will have a much larger presence in the riding.

“I view this as being a very positive thing for Merritt as this region has much to offer and we need to continue to find ways to promote this incredible part of British Columbia,” Albas said.

He said he also views having Princeton and Merritt in the same riding as a positive.

He said in larger urban centres, small resource, industry-based communities like Princeton and Merritt are constantly under attack from big city politicians who want to see those industries, such as forestry and mining, banned.

“I hear this continually in the House [of Commons], even the opposition parties frequently oppose these industries, and I believe that there’s strength in numbers and promoting the importance of resource development to communities like Merritt and Princeton will help the economic interests of the region,” Albas said.

Not everyone was content with the changes to the ridings, Albas said, noting he’s heard people in Kelowna express thoughts that they’d be better served under the status quo, viewing Kelowna as a much more urban riding with no natural affinity to the Merritt area.

He said the separation of Penticton and Summerland for the first time has aroused some concern as well.

“This is not an easy process,” Albas said.

The commission states combining Summerland and Penticton wouldn’t have been feasible as it would’ve resulted in an electoral district with a population variance well above the quota.

Albas ? who’s originally from Penticton ? has yet to choose which riding he will run in next election.

He will be choosing between Merritt’s Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola riding and the South-Okanagan West-Kootenay riding, which now houses Penticton.

Albas said he will be taking some time to talk with his wife, supporters and constituents before making a final decision.

The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission was created in February 2012 to set boundaries so each electoral district contains roughly the same number of people while taking into account communities of interest or identity, historical patterns and geographic size in sparsely populated regions.

After considering the views of the public and objections by members of the House of Commons, the commission submitted its final report to the chief electoral officer for transmission to the Speaker of the House.

The report was tabled in the House on Aug. 21. The chief electoral officer will use this report when drafting the representation order, which is expected to become official in the fall.