The Nova Scotia Legislature is back in session today.
A possible election call is dominating talk heading into the spring sitting, as well as what’s in store for the provincial budget.
One issue that will be brought forward by the Progressive Conservatives today is an emergency debate on electoral boundaries.
Earlier this year, the provincial Court of Appeal declared the abolition of a number of Acadian ridings in 2012 by the then NDP government, including Argyle and Clare, unconstitutional.
Court ruled that the government should not have interfered in the process.
The Nova Scotia Acadian Federation wants to see an independent electoral boundaries commission set-up prior to an election.
Yarmouth Liberal MLA Zach Churchill says they are committed to getting a commission in place this year.
But he says it’s not likely to happen before an election.
“If we had the ability to make a decision and it was changed overnight, then maybe. But we don’t. This needs to be an independent process. Government can’t decide what electoral boundaries are going to look like, because that could lead to an unfair advantage in an election.”
Argyle-Barrington Progressive Conservative MLA Chris d’Entremont says the Liberals have had enough time to get the process in motion.
He says it frustrates residents of the previous minority ridings that an election is coming, but there has been very little movement on the issue.
“We would start that independent process if we form the next government. Whatever happens at the end of this election, I think this will be fixed by the next general election.”
FANE President Ghislain Boudreau told us earlier this month their group wants the Acadian ridings restored before the next election.
