The Binns government is using proposed changes to the electoral map to distract Islanders, says NDP Leader Dean Constable.

Constable said the changes to the map are going to pit eastern and western P.E.I. against each other, and draw attention away from issues such as health care and education.

The new map drawn up by Elections P.E.I. proposes taking away one electoral district each from eastern and western P.E.I., and adding one each to Charlottetown and Summerside.

Constable supports the map included in a report produced in 2004 by Justice John McQuaid of the Appeal Division of the provincial Supreme Court.

Last month, the Binns government tossed out the work by McQuaid's commission and asked chief electoral officer Lowell Croken to draw up a new map.

A review of the electoral districts takes place after every third election. It is designed to make changes based on where people are living, to ensure everyone receives the same amount of representation in Province House.