The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for B.C. is holding public hearings around proposed changes to the electoral map in Abbotsford and Mission on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

The proposed boundaries would see the riding of Abbotsford reconfigured into Abbotsford-Sumas to the south and east, extending into Sardis.

However, Abbotsford's communities of Bradner and Mount Lehman would be absorbed into the Fort Langley-Aldergrove riding.

The current Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission riding would be broken up to create a new electoral district called Mission-Matsqui that would straddle the Fraser River.

The total proposed changes to B.C.'s electoral map would add six federal seats in the province, increasing the total from 36 to 42.

If approved, five of the new ridings would be in the Lower Mainland, most of which are held by the federal Conservatives.

The federal government mandated commissions across the country to boost the total number of ridings in the nation from 308 to 338.

Boundaries are adjusted every 10 years to accommodate shifting and growing populations.

See more at http://www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca/content.asp?document=home&lang=e

The public is encouraged to participate in the process, by attending the meetings and sharing their views on the commission's proposed boundary changes.

You can also e-mail the commission at bc-cb@rfed-rcf.ca, or call 1-855-747-7236.

Local meetings are on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m., at the Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre, 36035 North Parallel Rd., Abbotsford, and on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Maple Ridge municipal hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge.