Acadian federation warns of legal action if ridings not restored before election

The Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia is warning the province’s Liberal government it will face legal action if an election is called before the electoral map is redrawn to restore three so-called protected ridings eliminated in 2012.

The federation said Monday it will seek a court order if the government fails to act.

A Nova Scotia Court of Appeal ruling released in January found a 2012 boundary redrawing violated the voter rights section of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The boundary changes eliminated the protected Acadian ridings of Clare, Argyle and Richmond.

“I don’t think it is in the government’s best interest to call an election before this issue is resolved,” said executive director Marie-Claude Rioux. “It opens a whole Pandora’s box, and I don’t think the government wants to go there.”

The government has been widely expected to call an election this year, perhaps as early as this spring.

Rioux said her organization believes an interim solution can be found relatively quickly.

She said that could be done by having an electoral boundaries commission reconsider a minority representation report that was rejected in 2012.

“We know that a (similar) commission was called back in New Brunswick for a federal election ... and the commission lasted one day,” said Rioux.