Electoral Boundaries Commission Established

A commission to review and provide recommendations on electoral boundaries has been established after consultations across the province.

The Select Committee on Establishing an Electoral Boundaries Commission filed a report with the Speaker's Office providing terms of reference for the commission after holding consultations in Truro, Port Hawkesbury, Sydney, Yarmouth and Halifax and accepting written submissions from the public.

The select committee unanimously agreed that commission members would broadly represent the population of the province. It also agreed that current or former candidates, members of federal and provincial legislatures and municipal councils, or people closely associated with partisan politics would not be appointed to serve on the commission.

The members of the Electoral Boundaries Commission are:

• Teresa MacNeil, chair, St. Peter's, Cape Breton
• Colin Dodds, vice-chair, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Jill Grant, Halifax Regional Municipality
• James Bickerton, Antigonish
• Douglas Peach, Cape Breton
• Paul Gaudet, Saulnierville, Digby Co.
• Rustum Southwell, Halifax Regional Municipality
• Barbara Feeney, Mahone Bay, Lunenburg Co.

The commission must submit an interim report to the attorney general by May 31 and its final report by Aug. 31.

In the event a member of the Electoral Boundaries Commission cannot complete his or her duties, the select committee will name a replacement. The select committee may also reconvene to address any issues that develop.