N.S. Electoral Boundaries Report (Final)

Electoral Boundaries Commission

Toward Fair and Effective Representation

September 24, 2012

Teresa MacNeil, CM, PhD Chair

Contents

Foreword.................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................3

Structure.and.Operation...........................................................................................................................5

Terms.of.Reference..................................................................................................................................6

Interpreting.the.Terms.of.Reference.........................................................................................................7

Initial.Interpretation...................................................................................................................7

Subsequent.Interpretation...........................................................................................................8

Dissenting.Member.of.the.Commission.......................................................................................9

Electoral.Redistribution.in.Nova.Scotia:.Key.Issues.and.Challenges.........................................................14

Voter.Parity.versus.Effective.Representation..............................................................................15

Number.of.Seats.in.the.House.of.Assembly................................................................................16

Minority.Representation.and.Protected.Constituencies..............................................................18

Electoral.System.Reform...........................................................................................................21

Population.and.Electoral.Data................................................................................................................23

The.Public.Consultation.Process.............................................................................................................24

Table.1:.2001.and.2011.Electors.and.Seat.Entitlements.for.Existing.Electoral.Constituencies.................26

Proposed.Electoral.Redistribution..........................................................................................................28

Introduction.............................................................................................................................28

Regional.Overview....................................................................................................................28

Proposed.Changes.to.Existing.Electoral.Boundaries,.by.Constituency........................................31

Table.2:.Proposed.Constituencies,.with.Electors.and.Seat.Entitlements,.2012.........................................36

Table.3:.Proposed.Constituencies.and.Number.of.Electors,.by.Region....................................................38

Table.4:.Existing.and.Proposed.Seats,.by.Region.....................................................................................40

Table.5:.Existing.and.Proposed.Average.Seat.Entitlement,.by.Region.......................................................41

Maps......................................................................................................................................................42

Other.Recommendations........................................................................................................................51

Appendices:

Appendix.A:.Description.of.Proposed.Electoral.Boundaries......................................................54

Appendix.B:.Public.Meetings.Schedule.(first.round).................................................................68

Appendix.C:.Public.Meetings.Schedule.(second.round)............................................................69

Appendix.D:.Presenters.(first.round,.in.order.of.presentation).................................................70

Appendix.E:.Presenters.(second.round,.in.order.of.presentation)............................................74

Appendix.F:.Written.Submissions.Received.January.11–May.31,.2012..(in.alphabetical.order).............................................................................................................79

Appendix.G:.Written.Submissions.Received.June.1–July.13,.2012..(in.alphabetical.order).............................................................................................................82

Appendix.H:.Written.Submissions.Received.July.14–September.4,.2012..(in.alphabetical.order).............................................................................................................84

Appendix.I:.Summary.of.Comments.from.the.Public.................................................................90

Summary.of.Comments.from.the.Public,.to.May.31,.2012..(before.release.of.the.Interim.Report)........................................................................90

Summary.of.Comments.from.the.Public,.June.1–July.13,.2012..(after.release.of.the.Interim.Report)...........................................................................95

Summary.of.Comments.from.the.Public,.July.14–September.6,.2012..(after.release.of.the.Revised.Interim.Report)..............................................................98

Appendix.J:.Letter.from.the.Hon..Ross.Landry,.Attorney.General,.June.14,.2012......................110

Appendix.K:.Elaboration.on.Data.Sources...............................................................................111

Appendix.L:.Composition.of.the.Provincial.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission........................113

The.Honourable.Ross.Landry.Attorney.General.and.Minister.of.Justice.Department.of.Justice.5151.Terminal.Road,.PO.Box.7.Halifax,.NS.B3J..2L6

September.24,.2012

Dear.Minister:

We.are.pleased.to.submit.the.Final.Report.of.the.Nova.Scotia.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission..This.report.contains.the.Commission’s.recommendations.for.changes.to.the.province’s.electoral.boundaries.for.consideration.by.the.Nova.Scotia.House.of.Assembly.

Sincerely,

Teresa.MacNeil,.Chair

J..Colin.Dodds,.Vice.Chair

James.P..Bickerton

Barbara.F..Feeney

Paul.Gaudet

Douglas.Peach

Rustum.Southwell

Nova Scotia Electoral Boundaries Commission Toward Fair and Effective Representation 1

ForewordReflections from the Chair

It.looked.straightforward.enough.when.my.colleagues.and.I.accepted.the.assignment.to.serve.as.Nova.Scotia’s.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission..Yes,.it.would.involve.many.days.on.winter.roads,.but.it.came.with.the.reward.of.improving.our.understanding.of.population.shifts.in.the.province’s.varied.communities..We.were.given.terms.of.reference,.not.much.different.from.those.provided.the.commission.that.preceded.us.ten.years.earlier.and.the.one.ten.years.before.that..Direction.was.set.for.us.about.public.consultations.and.deadlines,.and.we.were.given.a.small.staff.to.manage.day-to-day.operations..Add.this.firm.base.to.the.experience,.expertise,.and.representativeness.of.the.Commission’s.members.and.it.was.practically.guaranteed.that.the.task.before.us.would.be.ably.achieved.

These.positive.features.of.the.task.lived.up.to.their.promise..Looking.back.over.the.time.since.the.Commission’s.first.meeting.on.January.31,.only.one.point.disrupted.the.otherwise.smooth.flow.of.the.review.process..And.what.a.point.it.turned.out.to.be!.It.happened.because.our.deliberations.leading.to.the.May.31.Interim.Report.convinced.all.but.one.of.us.that.it.would.not.be.appropriate.for.the.Commission.to.require.the.four.“protected.constituencies”.to.meet.the.given.standard.for.equal.electoral.population..Subsequently,.we.were.informed.by.the.Attorney.General.that.the.Commission.did.not.have.the.authority.to.deviate.from.its.terms.of.reference..It.meant.we.either.had.to.resign.or.prepare.another.redistribution.plan.in.a.revised.interim.report.

I.want.to.thank.my.colleagues.on.the.Commission,.highly.competent.and.busy.people,.for.their.generosity.in.staying.the.course.despite.challenges.that.were.at.times.untenable..One.member.resigned.and.was.not.replaced..Her.diligence.and.concern.have.been.greatly.missed.

There.can.be.no.question.about.the.determination.of.Nova.Scotians.to.express.their.views.about.their.electoral.boundaries,.particularly.when.they.see.unwelcome.change.in.the.making..As.this.report.shows,.we.had.the.advantage.of.hearing.and.reading.hundreds.of.suggestions.for.revising,.or.not,.the.province’s.electoral.districts..In.several.communities,.we.met.with.very.large.numbers.of.citizens.whose.voices.underscored.formal.presentations..We.sincerely.thank.all.who.took.the.time.to.participate.in.this.important.democratic.exercise..We.took.many.conflicting.views.into.consideration..Regrettably,.we.know.that.in.the.end,.many.will.not.agree.with.our.recommendations.

We.had.a.lot.of.help.along.the.way..Our.support.staff—led.by.Darryl.C..Eisan,.Director,.with.Shealagh.McGrath,.Administrative.Assistant,.and.Geographic.Information.System.(GIS).Analyst.Kevin.Steeves—provided.seamless.oversight.for.our.work.from.start.to.finish..Christine.McCulloch,.QC,.former.Chief.Electoral.Officer,.literally.opened.the.doors.of.Elections.Nova.Scotia.to.assist.us..That.hospitality.was.continued.by.her.successor,.Richard.Temporale,.and.his.staff..Throughout,.we.had.the.advantage.of.access.to.Elections.Nova.Scotia’s.excellent.technical.resources.and.convenient.meeting.facilities..Through.James.MacInnes,.Manager.of.Legislative.Television.and.Broadcast.and.Recording.Services,.and.his.Administrative.Assistant,.Anita.Fraser,.we.were.privileged.to.receive.truly.professional.support..Matt.Hemeon,.Paul.Read,.Blake.Ross,.and.Reed.Jones.joined.us.on.the.road.as.the.audio-visual.technicians.who.were.never.at.a.loss.to.accommodate.an.unusual.circumstance..Communications.Nova.Scotia.dealt.promptly.with.our.numerous.communications.needs.through.Angela.Campbell,.Manager,.Client.Services.

2 Nova Scotia Electoral Boundaries Commission Toward Fair and Effective Representation

and.Project.Management..The.Hansard.Office.of.the.Nova.Scotia.House.of.Assembly,.through.Editor.Robert.Kinsman,.was.diligent.in.providing.us.with.the.verbatim.transcripts.of.our.public.meetings..The.Office.of.Acadian.Affairs,.through.Senior.Translator.Melany.Close,.was.prompt.to.translate.documents.at.a.moment’s.notice,.and.Treasury.Board,.through.Derek.Harvey,.Corporate.Financial.Analyst,.provided.various.forms.of.financial.assistance..Together,.they.made.it.possible.for.us.to.work.effectively..We.extend.our.sincere.thanks.to.them.all.

Teresa.MacNeil.Chair


Introduction

The.Select.Committee.on.Establishing.an.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.released.its.report.on.December.30,.2011..Under.the.chairmanship.of.the.Honourable.Ross.Landry,.it.recommended.the.Commission’s.terms.of.reference.along.with.names.of.the.eight.members.who.would.make.up.the.independent.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.

This.Final.Report.of.the.2012.Boundaries.Commission.marks.the.completion.of.the.third.review.of.Nova.Scotia’s.electoral.boundaries.carried.out.in.the.past.two.decades.by.independent.commissions.to.ensure.that.legislative.representation.keeps.pace.with.population.growth.and.movement..Changes.in.population.call.for.shifts.in.legislative.representation..The.objective.is.relative.voting.parity,.recognizing.that.there.is.a.wide.range.of.views.and.interests.to.consider.in.achieving.effective.representation.

This.report.presents.the.Commission’s.conclusions.about.adjustments.to.the.province’s.electoral.boundary.lines..It.is.the.result.of.a.review.of.the.current.circumstances.within.each.of.Nova.Scotia’s.52.electoral.constituencies.and.is.in.keeping.with.all.of.the.given.terms.of.reference.

The.report.also.mentions.some.of.the.challenges.we.encountered.along.the.way..At.first.glance,.the.Commission’s.job.was.simple.enough..We.were.directed.to.be.guided.by.our.terms.of.reference,.to.end.up.with.no.more.than.52.seats,.with.each.constituency.having.essentially.the.same.number.of.voters..Simply.dividing.the.province’s.711,588.eligible.voters.by.52.would.give.us.an.average.of.13,684.voters.in.each.constituency..But.we.were.given.allowance.to.vary.that.number.within.25.per.cent.on.either.side.of.the.average.out.of.respect.for.such.circumstances.as.geography,.community.history.and.interests,.and.Nova.Scotia’s.linguistic.and.cultural.diversity..Despite.the.25.per.cent.allowance.for.deviation.from.the.average,.those.circumstances.frequently.became.sticking.points.among.citizens.faced.with.our.proposals.to.change.long-established.boundary.lines.

The.procedure.we.followed.was.determined.by.Section.5.of.the.House.of.Assembly.Act.which.sets.out.directions,.including.that.“the.commission.prepare.a.preliminary.report.and.hold.public.hearings.prior.to.preparing.the.preliminary.report;.and.following.the.preparation.of.the.preliminary.report.the.commission.hold.further.public.hearings.prior.to.preparing.its.final.report.”

Our.Interim.(preliminary).Report.was.released.on.May.31,.2012,.with.the.intent.that.it.would.generate.discussion.and.prompt.feedback.during.a.second.round.of.public.meetings..In.preparing.that.report,.we.treated.the.terms.of.reference.as.a.guide..In.fact,.we.complied.with.all.of.the.terms,.with.the.exception.that.as.an.independent.commission.we.used.our.discretion.to.maintain.the.status.of.the.four.“protected.constituencies”.which.meant.that.they.would.continue.to.exceed.the.25.per.cent.variance.from.the.average.set.out.as.the.allowable.variance.in.the.terms.of.reference..These.are.the.electoral.districts.of.Clare,.Argyle,.Richmond,.and.Preston,.which.were.extended.protected.status.as.minority.constituencies.by.the.Government.of.Nova.Scotia.in.1991..The.House.of.Assembly.approved.constituency.boundaries.for.the.designated.Acadian.and.African.Nova.Scotian.communities.that.effectively.increased.their.voting.strength.relative.to.other.constituencies.in.the.province..By.not.requiring.the.four.constituencies.to.meet.the.same.relative.voter.parity.standard.as.other.districts,.their.special.status.would.remain..We.were.respecting.linguistic.and.cultural.diversity.as.well.as.community.history,.interest,.and.identity.


On.June.14,.2012,.we.received.a.letter.(see.Appendix.J).from.the.Attorney.General.stating.that.he.was.unable.to.accept.the.Interim.Report.because.the.terms.of.reference.were.mandatory,.not.a.matter.of.guidance..With.advice.that.the.terms.of.reference.were.legally.binding.upon.the.Commission,.he.declared.the.Interim.Report.null.and.void.and.requested.us.to.prepare.a.revised.interim.report.that.fully.complied.with.the.terms.of.reference.

In.response.to.the.Attorney.General’s.letter,.the.Commission.prepared.and.released.the.Revised.Interim.Report.to.have.all.constituencies.fall.within.±25.per.cent.of.the.average.number.of.electors,.as.stated.in.clause.2(d).of.the.Commission’s.Terms.of.Reference..A.second.round.of.nine.public.meetings.followed,.along.with.446.e-mails,.12.letters,.and.82.telephone.messages.in.response.to.the.new.proposals..We.were.impressed.by.the.high.level.of.participation.in.those.meetings.and.the.significant.volume.of.correspondence.we.received..This.Final.Report.takes.into.account,.to.the.extent.possible,.this.very.substantial.amount.of.public.response,.although.we.have.to.report.that.at.times.the.feedback.was.conflicting.or.not.in.accordance.with.our.terms.of.reference.

Our.task.was.to.present.concluding.recommendations.for.boundary.revisions.to.provincial.electoral.districts.for.the.approval.of.the.House.of.Assembly;.moreover,.these.recommendations.should.be.fully.compliant.with.the.terms.of.reference..We.believe.we.have.done.that..We.also.include.in.this.report.some.observations.based.on.this.Commission’s.experience.with.the.overall.boundary.review.process..Our.intent.is.that.they.might.be.of.assistance.to.future.electoral.boundary.reviews.


The.independent.Nova.Scotia.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.was.established.by.the.Select.Committee.on.Establishing.an.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.on.December.30,.2011..The.Commission.comprised.eight.people,.with.Dr..Teresa.MacNeil.(Johnstown,.Richmond.County).appointed.as.Chair..The.other.members.of.the.Commission.were.Dr..Colin.Dodds,.Vice.Chair.(Halifax),.Dr..Jill.L..Grant.(Dartmouth),.Dr..James.P..Bickerton.(Antigonish),.Mr..Douglas.Peach.(Marion.Bridge,.Cape.Breton),.Mr..Paul.Gaudet.(Saulnierville),.Mr..Rustum.Southwell.(Bedford),.and.Ms..Barbara.Feeney.(Mahone.Bay)..Of.note,.Dr..Grant.resigned.from.the.Commission.on.May.31,.2012.

Three.people.made.up.the.staff.of.the.Commission:.Darryl.C..Eisan,.seconded.from.the.Nova.Scotia.Public.Service,.served.as.Director,.responsible.for.the.day-to-day.operation.of.the.Commission’s.work;.Shealagh.McGrath.was.the.Commission’s.Administrative.Assistant;.and.Kevin.Steeves,.seconded.from.Elections.Nova.Scotia,.provided.GIS.and.mapping.expertise.

The.Commission.was.physically.located.at.Elections.Nova.Scotia.and.during.the.course.of.its.work.held.20.business.meetings.

Commission.members.agreed.that.the.Chair.would.serve.as.the.Commission’s.principal.spokesperson.

In.February,.the.Chair.sent.a.letter.to.the.Speaker.of.the.Nova.Scotia.House.of.Assembly.in.response.to.the.concern.voiced.by.some.Commissioners.that.they.had.not.received.a.letter.of.appointment;.in.particular,.they.received.no.communication.setting.out.general.expectations.for.the.Commission..In.his.letter.of.reply.(February.28,2012),.the.Speaker.wrote.that.“......the.terms.of.reference.established.in.the.Report.of.the.Select.Committee.constitute.the.totality.of.direction.to.the.Commission.and.no.person.or.body.is.authorized.to.give.further.direction.(subject.to.any.further.direction.from.the.House.of.Assembly).”

Recommendation

The Commission is mindful that, once formally appointed, it is to function

independently of influence from government and the legislature. The Commission

is also aware that knowledge of basic operational guidelines would help members

to be confident that they are working within the normal expectations of a publicly

appointed body. It therefore suggests that, in future, an orientation session take place

at the outset of the Commission’s appointment. This should include a handbook

outlining routine operational requirements. The Select Committee on Establishing an

Electoral Boundaries Commission could be tasked with these responsibilities.

Structure and Operation


Terms of Reference

The.Terms.of.Reference.provided.by.the.Select.Committee.on.Establishing.an.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.are.as.follows:.

(2) Terms of Reference for the Provincial Boundaries Commission

In.keeping.with.the.constitutional.right.of.Nova.Scotians.to.fair.and.effective.representation,.the.Committee.directs.the.Provincial.Boundaries.Commission.to.be.guided.by.the.following:

2(a).Based.on.the.most.recent.census.and.other.population.data.available,.the.Commission.delineate.electoral.boundaries.to.achieve.an.Assembly.of.not.more.than.52.seats,.not.counting.any.additional.Member.authorized.pursuant.to.Section.6.of.the.House.of.Assembly.Act;

2(b).Of.paramount.importance,.relative.parity.of.voting.power.must.be.achieved.through.constituencies.of.equal.electoral.population.to.the.extent.possible;

2(c).Deviations.from.parity.of.voting.power.may.be.justified.in.consideration.of:.

i.. Geography,.in.particular,.the.difficulty.in.effectively.representing.a.large.physical.area;

ii.. Community.history.and.interests;

iii.. Nova.Scotia’s.linguistic.and.cultural.diversity,.in.particular,.the.province’s.Acadian.and.African.Nova.Scotia.population..

2(d).Notwithstanding.2(c),.no.constituency.may.deviate.by.a.variance.greater.or.less.than.25.per.cent.from.the.average.number.of.electors.per.constituency;

2(e).The.Commission.shall.seek.the.advice,.support.and.hear.such.presentations.and.consider.such.other.information.in.such.ways,.at.such.times.and.in.such.places.as.it.deems.advisable,.respecting.existing.electoral.districts.and.the.establishment.of.new.electoral.districts,.as.well.as.the.area,.name,.representation.and.implementation.of.those.electoral.districts;.

2(f).All.submissions.to.the.Commission.from.individuals.and.organizations.be.made.in.public;

2(g).In.considering.the.representation.of.communities.of.interest,.the.Commission.may.also.seek.the.advice.of.linguistic.and.cultural.groups,.including.Mi’kmaq,.Acadian.and.African.Nova.Scotian.representatives;.

2(h).Simultaneous.French.translation.may.be.provided.at.designated.meetings.in.Acadian.Communities.and.at.any.other.meetings.the.Commission.deems.appropriate;.

2(i).The.Commission.must.submit.its.interim.report.to.the.Attorney.General.of.Nova.Scotia,.as.designate.of.the.Premier.of.Nova.Scotia,.on.or.before.May.31,.2012,.and.its.final.report,.on.or.before.August.31,.2012..

3).For.greater.clarity.the.Commission.is.to.be.bound.by.Section.5,.subsections.5.(4).and.(5),.of.the.House.of.Assembly.Act.


Interpreting the Terms of Reference

The.terms.of.reference.for.the.current.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.are.similar.to.those.that.governed.the.two.previous.reviews.(1991,.2001)..They.continue.to.place.paramount.importance.on.relative.voter.parity,.and.they.specify.that.the.Commission.consider.geography,.community.history,.and.interests.and.Nova.Scotia’s.linguistic.and.cultural.diversity.as.possible.justifications.for.deviating.from.relative.voting.power.in.framing.constituency.boundaries.

The.following.three.considerations.within.the.terms.of.reference.for.this.Commission.differ.from.those.of.the.previous.commissions:

•. First,.it.is.indicated.in.clause.2(a).that.the.Commission.may.delineate.not.more.than.52.seats;.previous.commissions.were.directed.to.provide.recommendations.for.52.seats.

•. Second,.in.clause.2(d),.it.is.indicated.that.notwithstanding.concerns.about.geography,.community.history.and.interests,.and.Nova.Scotia’s.linguistic.and.cultural.diversity,.constituencies.may.not.deviate.by.a.variance.greater.or.less.than.25.per.cent.from.the.average.number.of.electors.per.constituency.

•. Third,.the.Commission.need.not.be.constrained.by.county.boundaries.

Initial Interpretation

Regarding.each.of.these.three.considerations,.we.worked.from.the.premise.initially.of.retaining.a.Legislative.Assembly.of.52.seats,.and.we.were.not.constrained.by.county.or.municipal.boundaries. However,.Clause.2(d).presented.us.with.a.considerable.challenge,.particularly.with.respect.to.the.four.constituencies.(Argyle,.Clare,.Preston,.and.Richmond).that.had.been.protected.for.the.past.20.years..Enlarging.the.number.of.voters.for.each.to.reach.75.per.cent.of.the.average.number.of.voters.would.mean.loss.of.the.established.boundaries.that.were.accorded.in.1991..Following.lengthy.debate,.the.majority.position.of.the.Commission.was.presented.in.the.Interim.Report.(May.31,.2012):.to.retain.the.protected.constituencies.of.Argyle,.Clare,.Preston,.and.Richmond..One.member.registered.a.dissenting.opinion.with.respect.to.this.decision.and.later.resigned.from.the.Commission.

Our.initial,.general interpretation—as.an.independent.commission—was.to.treat.the.various.clauses.as.guides..This.was.in.keeping.with.the.wording.contained.in.the.terms.of.reference: “The.[Select].Committee.directs.the.provincial.Boundaries.Commission.to.be.guided.by.the.following......” In.fact,.all.clauses.were.observed.except.for.our.decision.to.retain.the.protected.constituencies.

As.matters.turned.out,.our.initial,.general.interpretation.of.the.terms.of.reference was.not.accepted..Following.delivery.of.the.Interim.Report,.we.were.advised.by.letter.(June.14,.2012).from.the.Attorney.General.that.he.was.“not.able.to.accept.the.interim.report.as.drafted,.as.it.does.not.follow.the.requirements.set.out.in.the.terms.of.reference.in.the.final.report.of.the.Select.Committee.”.He.further.indicated.that.the.terms.of.reference.were.legally.binding..At.this.point,.we.found.ourselves.without.any.discretionary.authority.


Subsequent Interpretation

Faced.with.the.requirement.to.prepare.a.revised.interim.report,.we.agreed.to.try.to.achieve.relative.voter.parity.throughout.the.province’s.electoral.constituencies.as.mandated.by.the.Attorney.General..This.became.a.difficult.exercise..The.Revised.Interim.Report.was.released.on.July.20,.followed.two.weeks.later.by.a.round.of.nine.public.meetings.

The.proposals.in.the.Revised.Interim.Report.met.with.a.most.welcome.and.very.strong.public.response:.a.total.of.156.people.made.presentations.during.well-attended.meetings.(over.3,000.attendees),.and.a.total.of.540.messages.were.received.via.e-mail.and.telephone..Voices.of.dissatisfaction.came.especially.from.places.where.the.loss.of.a.voting.poll.or.the.merger.of.electoral.districts.was.proposed;.from.neighbouring.districts.that.might.have.to.surrender.some.of.their.voters.to.help.fill.the.requirement.for.additional.voters.in.constituencies.where.voter.numbers.were.below.the.minimum.75.per.cent.requirement;.and.from.persons.convinced.that.proposed.new.lines.would.break.up.long-established.neighbourhoods.or.communities..In.some.constituencies,.the.sitting.Member.of.the.Legislative.Assembly.(MLA).led.the.resistance.to.the.Commission’s.proposals.

From.the.high.level.of.negative.public.response,.we.might.conclude.that.many.of.those.who.objected.simply.didn’t.understand.the.principle.of.relative.voter.parity—that.one.voter.should.have.approximately.the.same.power.as.another..On.the.other.hand,.they.may.have.understood.the.principle.but.simply.did.not.consider.it.valid..In.underpopulated.rural.areas,.for.example,.the.argument.was.made.again.and.again.that.the.large.territory.to.be.covered.by.an.MLA.should.justify.a.much.smaller.number.of.electors.than.required.by.the.established.standard..Some.argued.that.to.overcome.the.geographic.challenge,.there.should.be.more.than.52.seats..Arguments.offered.by.the.protected.constituencies.referred.over.and.over.again.to.the.unique.significance.of.their.history.and.culture.in.Nova.Scotia..Many.strong,.well-reasoned.presentations.made.to.the.Commission.argued.against.holding.strictly.to.one.clause.or.another,.expressing.strong.sentiments.of.loss.of.identity.or.declaring.unwillingness.to.merge.with.neighbouring.districts..Nonetheless,.this.Final.Report.proposes.electoral.distribution.that.meets.all.of.the.terms.of.reference.as.required.by.the.Attorney.General.


Dissenting Member of the Commission by.Paul.Gaudet

“Ménager la chèvre et le chou!”

I.dissent.from.the.other.Commission.members.who.recommend.the.elimination.of.the.three.protected.Acadian.constituencies.in.the.Final.Report.

The.formidable.task.assigned.to.the.NS.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.is.reminiscent.of.the.old.story.of.the.farmer.who.had.to.carry.a.wolf,.a.goat,.and.his.cabbage.across.the.river,.one.at.a.time,.while.attempting.to.keep.all.three.from.consuming.or.being.consumed.by.the.others..Ménager la chèvre et le chou! (Manage the goat and the cabbage!). In.short,.manage.the.challenge.of.conflicting.and.irreconcilable.interests:.“Protect.minority.representation.while.respecting.the.rules.on.average.riding.sizes,”.as.was.summarized.in.the.August.20,.2012,.Chronicle Herald.editorial.

The.Commission,.tossed.on.the.horns.of.a.dilemma.from.the.outset,.realized.that.there.were.conflicting.guidelines.in.the.terms.of.reference..In.particular,.subsections.2(c).and.2(d).became.the.source.of.much.anguish..And.use.of.the.term.“notwithstanding”.did.not.clarify.the.issue..I,.personally,.struggled.with.the.reference.to.the.±.25%.variance.factor.

Two.letters.enlightened.me..(Copies.of.these.letters.were.attached.to.the.brief.presented.by.the.Clare.Municipality.to.the.Commission.on.August.14,.2012,.at.its.public.meeting.in.Church.Point.).One,.dated.January.27,.2012,.was.from.Premier.Dexter.to.Mr..Gérard.Thériault..A.second.was.from.former.Finance.Minister.and.Minister.of.Acadian.Affairs.Graham.Steele,.in.response.to.Père.Maurice.LeBlanc’s.article.in.Le Courrier de la Nouvelle-Écosse.on.February.3,.2012..In.my.understanding,.these.letters.stated.that.the.independent.Commission.could.make.recommendations.that.included.the.two.extremes.of.maintaining.the.status.quo.or.eliminating.the.protected.ridings..I,.of.course,.chose.the.status.quo.option.

It.made.a.travesty.of.the.Commission’s.legitimate.“independent”.consultation.when.the.Commission’s.recommendation.to.maintain.the.protected.ridings.was.rejected.by.the.Attorney.General.of.Nova.Scotia..The.convoluted.nature.of.the.process.by.which.the.terms.of.reference.for.the.Commission.were.finally.defined.effectively.eliminated.transparency.from.the.process.and,.in.my.view,.discouraged.public.understanding.of,.and.confidence.in,.the.Commission’s.role..To.add.insult.to.injury,.the.Final.Report.of.the.Commission.recommends.the.elimination.of.the.existing.four.protected.ridings.by.direct.order.of.the.Attorney.General.on.the.grounds.that.they.are.too.small..They.were.small.in.1991.and.2001;.small,.in.fact,.since.1836,.when.the.first.Acadian.was.elected.to.the.Nova.Scotia.House.of.Assembly.


Did.the.Attorney.General.have.the.mandate,.at.that.time,.to.reject.or.accept.the.first.report?.The.final.term.of.reference.stipulates.that.“for.greater.clarity.the.Commission.is.bound.by.Section.5,.subsections.5(4).and.5(5),.of.the.House.of.Assembly.Act”:

(4) The commission shall prepare, for approval by the House, a report recommending the boundaries and names for the electoral districts comprising the House.

(5) The terms of reference of the commission shall provide that:

(a) the commission is broadly representative of the population of the Province;

(b) the commission prepare a preliminary report and hold public hearings prior to preparing the preliminary report; and

(c) following the preparation of the preliminary report the commission hold further public hearings prior to preparing its final report. (House of Assembly Act, RSNS 1989 (1992 Supp, c 1)

Nowhere.in.Section.5.of.the.act.does.it.state.that.at.any.point.during.the.proceedings.of.the.independent.Commission.that.an.arbitrary.ministerial.ruling.may.be.made.that.would,.in.fact,.prematurely.set.the.only.possible.outcome.and.circumvent.the.recommendations.of.the.Commission.before.it.had.completed.its.task!.The.stated.procedure.is.this:

(6) The final report of the commission shall be laid before the House, if the House is sitting, and the Premier, or the Premier’s designate, shall table the report in the House on the next sitting day.

(7) If the House is not sitting when the final report of the commission is completed, the final report shall be filed with the Clerk of the House and the Premier, or the Premier’s designate, shall table the final report in the House within ten days after the House next sits.

(8) Within ten sitting days after the final report of the commission is tabled in the House pursuant to subsection (6) or (7), the Government shall introduce legislation to implement the recommendations contained in the final report of the commission. (R.S. 1992 Supp., c1, s. 5, c 34, s. 2.)

The.previous.(2001).Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.had.terms.of.reference.similar.to.the.current.review,.including.the.±25.per.cent.variance.factor,.but.was.permitted.to.recommend.that.the.minority.representation.be.exempt.from.that.numeric.requirement,.based.on.an.“extraordinary.circumstances”.clause,.which.was.“the.desire.to.promote.minority.representation.by.Nova.Scotia’s.Acadian.and.Black.communities.”.(Just Boundaries: Recommendations for Effective Representation for the People of


Nova Scotia..August 2002, p..13)..After.studying.the.Supreme.Court.decision.in.the.Carter.case.[Reference re Prov. Electoral Boundaries (Sask.), 1991],.they.discussed.the.issue.at.length.and.concurred.that.the.principle.of.“‘effective.representation’.......comprises.many.factors,.of.which.equity.is.but.one.”.Another.key.phrase.from.that.landmark.decision.with.relevance.to.the.current.Nova.Scotia.dilemma.is.this.one:

Effective representation and good government in this country compel that factors other than voter parity, such as geography and community interests, be taken into account in setting electoral boundaries. Departures from the Canadian ideal of effective representation, where they exist, will be found to violate s. 3 of the Charter.

As.Acadians,.we.are.in.danger.of.losing.our.identity..It.is.a.daily.struggle.for.each.and.every.one.of.us.to.be.fully.Acadian..The.French.Acadian.language,.a.beautiful.and.gentle.language.with.a.direct.link.to.the.langue de Molière,.is.in.peril..Expulsion,.assimilation,.and.now.the.threat.of.losing.our.voice.in.the.Nova.Scotia.House.of.Assembly.leads.me.to.believe.that.the.slow.and.painful.extinction.of.the.Acadian.people.is.in.the.works.

The.Acadian.constituencies.are.much.more.than.an.enclos.where.ballots.are.counted.on.election.day..They.have.become.a.proud.and.patent.symbol,.geographically.and.politically,.of.the.significant.Acadian.historical.and.cultural.presence.in.Nova.Scotia..These.ridings.are.the.places.Acadian.citizens.call.home;.where.their.language.is.spoken.and.their.traditions.practised..They.are.also.the.bases.for.securing.and.sustaining.social.and.economic.prosperity..This.vital.cornerstone.of.resilience.over.adversity.cannot.be.dismissed.lightly..What.I.heard,.saw,.and.read.in.relation.to.our.work.on.the.Commission.over.the.period.from.January.2012.to.the.present.convinces.me.that.the.Commission.was.justified.in.recommending.in.the.Interim.Report.the.continued.protection.of.the.minority.ridings.

Are.we.to.accept.that.the.outcome.for.sustaining.protected.ridings.does.not.rest.in.the.hands.of.the.citizens.of.Nova.Scotia,.or.those.with.special.expertise.in.these.matters,.or.indeed.with.the.citizen.members.of.the.Commission?.The.legislated.protection.was.granted.for.valid.reasons.and.requires.considerably.more.in-depth.study.and.review.than.this.process.allowed..No.explanation.has.been.given.for.decreeing.elimination,.and.not.one.of.the.many.public.presenters.suggested.that.it.would.be.of.any.benefit.to.their.constituencies.to.have.the.minority.ridings.eliminated..The.citizens.are.the.only.rightful.source.of.political.power,.and.they.made.their.wishes.known..So.did.the.members.of.an.independent.public.commission..It.appears.that.the.answers.will.now.descend.from.the.hard.realm.of.political.calculation.and.action,.where.many.sparrows.fall..The.heavy-handed.intervention.by.the.Attorney.General.represents,.for.me,.a.dark.day.in.the.history.of.Nova.Scotia,.especially.for.the.Acadians..The.many.relevant.substantive.issues.have.not.been.addressed..True.democracy.is.not.served.in.the.presence.of.oppression.of.minorities.by.the.majority.

I.cannot.comprehend.that.the.long-standing.rationale.for.protected.ridings.in.Nova.Scotia.is.so.completely.misunderstood.and.disrespected.by.the.government.that.elimination.was.initiated.by.the.


simple.stroke.of.a.pen,.which.established.the.so-called.independent.Commission,.during.the.2011.Christmas.holidays..The.requirement.for.absolute.adherence.to.the.±25.per.cent.notwithstanding.clause.was.a.top-down.decision.made.behind.closed.doors,.in.a.scenario.that.discouraged.public.scrutiny.and.appreciation.of.the.complex.issues.at.stake..Has.political.will.become.so.degraded.that.it.can.be.controlled.by.“first-past-the-post”.leaders.and.fed.by.perceptions.churned.out.by.spin.doctors?

Some.background.information.on.effective.representation.should.be.looked.at..One.point.to.be.studied.is.raised.in.the.following.quotation.from.the.distinguished.academic.Dr..John.C..Courtney:

Is it a coincidence that the concept of effective representation came along and was taken up in various quarters at roughly the same time that prevailing conceptions of representation and citizenship were being challenged by identity groups such as Aboriginals, Acadians, and Nova Scotian Blacks? Almost certainly not. Their claim to representation in an elected assembly rested on the premise that they could most adequately be represented by members of their own group. In this sense, what was being argued was precisely the blending of districts constructed in a certain fashion and the subsequent representation of their constituents . . . Implicit in their argument was the recognition that effective representation brings together both elements of differentiated citizenship as it applies to electoral district – that is, who is entitled to vote in specially designed ridings and what is expected after the vote in terms of representing the interests of the constituents.

In Carter, the Supreme Court of Canada signalled its acceptance of something amounting to a “politics of difference.” According to the court, relative parity of voter power could be tempered by minority representation and effective representation when the application of those concepts was justified on the grounds of contributing to better government.”

— Commissioned Ridings: Designing Canada’s Electoral Districts (2001), p. 246

Governments.come.and.go;.politicians.come.and.go..On.the.other.hand,.Nova.Scotia.is.more.than.a.political.construct..Its.history.is.deeply.rooted.in.the.soil.and.toil.of.l’Acadie.since.the.17th.century..Rejection.of.protected.ridings.will.have.far-reaching.consequences.that.I.dare.say.will.negatively.affect.the.political.and.social.landscape.of.Nova.Scotia.for.generations.to.come.

Against.my.better.judgment,.I.participated.in.the.exercise.of.writing.a.revised.interim.report,.knowing.full.well.it.wouldn’t.protect.existing.protected.minority.representation..It.was.a.mistake.to.think.we.could.adequately.address.the.conundrum.imposed.by.guidelines.2(c).and.2(d).in.submitting.a.revised.interim.report..The.public.outcry,.predominantly.in.the.Southwest.Nova.Scotia.ridings,.demonstrated.that.the.revised.interim.report.did.not.reflect.the.will.of.the.people..The.decree.by.the.Attorney.General.left.no.middle.ground.for.compromise..Any.trade-off.suggested.or.accepted.by.the.citizens.in.the.protected.ridings.would.effectively.condone.the.disappearance.of.their.ridings,.and.would.not.be.compromise.but.political.suicide.


I.honestly.submit.that.if.this.perceived.abuse.of.the.impartial,.non-partisan.electoral.boundary.review.process.continues.unchecked,.it.will.require.full-scale.parliamentary.reform.to.get.it.back.on.track.

In.closing,.I.again.make.reference.to.the.words.of.author.John.C..Courtney,.who.in.his.book.Commissioned Ridings: Designing Canada’s Electoral Districts.was.helpful.in.my.understanding.of.the.issues.related.to.boundary.review..I.quote.a.passage.that.summarizes.well.my.frame.of.mind.as.I.write.this.dissenting.position.from.the.other.Commission.members..Courtney.states:

The uniqueness of Canada’s process of readjusting electoral boundaries is an obvious and consistent theme in the court decisions. That is also true of the value that the courts have attached to the concepts of effective representation and relative parity of voting power. Both of those principles have, through the courts’ generous interpretation of the charter’s guarantee of the right to vote, emerged in little more than a decade as basic to designing constituencies in Canada. (p. 152)

Finally,.my.conscience.and.my.judgment.will.not.allow.me.to.recommend.the.elimination.of.the.protected.constituencies..I.therefore.dissent.from.the.other.Commission.members.who.felt.legally.compelled.to.recommend.the.elimination.of.the.three.protected.Acadian.constituencies.in.the.Final.Report.

I.formally.and.firmly.stand.by.the.recommendation.in.the.Commission’s.Interim.Report.to.maintain.the.constituencies.of.Clare,.Argyle,.Preston,.and.Richmond.as.they.are.presently.designed.


Electoral Redistribution in Nova Scotia: Key Issues and Challenges

The.electoral.redistribution.process,.undertaken.in.Nova.Scotia.by.independent.electoral.boundary.commissions.since.1992,.is.fraught.with.a.number.of.challenges,.some.of.which.are.unique.to.Nova.Scotia.while.others.are.of.a.more.general.nature.

The.general.purpose.of.redrawing.electoral.boundaries.is.to.ensure.that.political.constituencies.continue.to.reflect.the.constitutional.right.of.all.citizens.to.effective.representation.in.the.legislature..This.includes.the.principle.of.relative.parity.of.voting.power,.but.this.is.not.the.only.factor.to.be.taken.into.account.in.ensuring.effective.representation..On.this.matter,.it.is.worth.quoting.from.the.Supreme.Court’s.decision.in.the.Carter.case.(1991).

Notwithstanding the fact that the value of a citizen’s vote should not be unduly diluted, it is a practical fact that effective representation often cannot be achieved without taking into account countervailing factors. First, absolute parity is impossible. It is impossible to draw boundary lines which guarantee exactly the same number of voters in each district . . . Secondly, such relative parity as may be possible of achievement may prove undesirable because it has the effect of detracting from the primary goal of effective representation. Factors like geography, community history, community interests and minority representation may need to be taken into account to ensure that our legislative assemblies effectively represent the diversity of our social mosaic. These are but examples of considerations which may justify departure from absolute voter parity in the pursuit of more effective representation; the list is not closed . . . Respect for individual dignity and social equality mandate that citizens’ votes not be unduly debased or diluted. But the need to recognize cultural and group identity and to enhance the participation of individuals in the electoral process and society requires that other concerns also be accommodated . . . (excerpted from pages 8–17 of the Supreme Court’s Carter decision, re Provincial Electoral Boundaries (Sask.), [1991] 2 S.C.R. 158)

In.terms.of.factors.unique.to.the.province,.its.particular.geography.and.the.dispersion.of.its.population.across.that.geography.are.key.challenges.faced.by.the.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission..Nova.Scotia.is.a.peninsular.province.with.a.major.island.at.its.northeastern-most.extension..As.a.result,.it.has.a.very.long.coastline.near.which.most.of.the.population.resides,.although.very.unevenly.with.long.expanses.of.coastline.that.are.relatively.unpopulated..This.is.true.as.well.for.large.areas.of.the.interior.of.the.province,.particularly.in.its.southwestern.and.northeastern.portions..Most.rural.areas.of.Nova.Scotia.have.experienced.population.decline.over.the.past.several.decades,.as.has.Cape.Breton.Regional.Municipality..However,.significant.population.growth.has.occurred.in.the.greater.Halifax.area..The.province’s.geography.and.settlement.pattern,.the.long-term.population.decline.of.many.rural.communities,.and.the.greater.concentration.of.population.in.the.province’s.main.urban.area.(HRM).suggests.the.necessity.for.some.seat.redistribution,.while.working.within.the.constraints.imposed.by.the.geographic.dispersion.of.population.


Another.important.set.of.factors.in.the.redistribution.process.is.community history, interest, and identity..Nova.Scotia.communities.have.deep.historical.roots,.most.dating.back.to.the.18th.and.early.19th.centuries..Community.identities.are.further.reinforced.by.immigration.and.settlement.patterns.that.often.had.a.distinctive.ethno-religious.dimension,.and.for.most.of.the.province,.relatively.little.by.way.of.more.recent.waves.of.immigration..This.strong.sense.of.distinctive.community.identity.and.interest.has.been.compounded.by.the.relative.geographic.isolation.of.many.rural.locales.and.the.resource-based.nature.of.their.economies..As.well,.unlike.the.case.for.many.provinces,.these.communities.have.enjoyed.a.long.and.robust.tradition.of.autonomous.local.government.at.the.county.and.municipal.level.that.extends.back.to.the.colonial.era.before.Confederation..These.deeply.rooted.communities.of.interest.and.identity.are.an.important.part.of.Nova.Scotia’s.heritage.as.well.as.its.current.political.reality,.and.they.should.be.recognized.to.the.greatest.extent.possible.in.the.boundary.redrawing.process.

Last.but.certainly.not.least,.ensuring.effective.representation.while.accommodating.a.concern.for.cultural diversity and minority representation is.an.important.consideration,.one.that.is.made.more.difficult.by.the.fragmented.territorial.dispersal.of.key.minority.populations..In.the.context.of.the.simple.plurality.(first-past-the-post).electoral.system.used.throughout.Canada.that.groups.electors.into.single-member.constituencies,.minorities.that.are.widely.dispersed.rather.than.territorially.concentrated.are.at.risk.of.political.under-representation.(in.terms.of.having.one.of.their.number.elected.to.office)..Of.particular.note.in.Nova.Scotia.is.that.its.historic.French-speaking.Acadian.population.is.concentrated.in.a.number.of.rural.communities.located.at.the.geographic.extremities.of.the.province..Also,.its.African.Nova.Scotian.community,.which.itself.dates.back.to.the.origins.of.the.province.in.the.18th.century,.is.widely.dispersed,.though.in.relative.terms.there.is.a.concentration.of.population.in.and.around.the.area.of.Preston,.on.the.Dartmouth.side.of.Halifax.Harbour.

Voter Parity versus Effective Representation

The.relative.parity.of.voting.power.of.individual.Nova.Scotians,.achieved.through.constituencies.of.equal.size.in.terms.of.the.number.of.electors,.is.an.important.part.of.the.effective.representation.of.all.Nova.Scotians.in.the.legislature..The.Commission.is.recommending.boundary.changes.that.will.ensure.that.Nova.Scotia’s.electoral.districts.continue.to.adhere.to.this.principle.to.the.extent.possible,.as.described.in.the.Commission’s.terms.of.reference..In.this.connection,.despite.the.challenges.posed.by.Nova.Scotia’s.geography.and.population.distribution,.all.of.the.province’s.geographic.regions.fall.within.a.15.per.cent.variance.from.equal.electoral.population.(see.Table.5:.Existing.and.Proposed.Average.Seat.Entitlement,.by.Region)..Electoral.populations.in.31.constituencies.fall.within.±15.per.cent.variance:.22.constituencies.fall.within.±10.per.cent.variance..In.some.instances,.achieving.greater.voter.parity.required.crossing.municipal.or.county.boundaries.

However,.a.number.of.proposed.constituencies.fall.within.the.higher.range.of.variance.from.parity.(>15.per.cent).that.is.allowable.under.the.terms.of.reference..Those.that.fall.below.−15.per.cent.tend.


to.be.geographically.large.and.sparsely.populated.rural.constituencies,.while.those.above.+15.per.cent.are.more.compact.and.densely.populated.urban.districts..[Note: exceptions to this generalization are the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) constituencies of Hammonds Plains-Lucasville, where for reasons of geography, community of interest and identity, and the virtual certainty of continued rapid growth, the Commission drew boundaries that left this district at −23 per cent, and Dartmouth-Preston, where elector numbers are low for reasons of sensitivity to cultural diversity and minority representation.].Based.on.its.own.assessment.of.the.requirements.for.effective.representation.in.each.district.(using.the.various.factors.discussed.above),.as.well.as.submissions.to.the.Commission.through.its.public.consultation.process,.the.Commission.has.used.the.maximum.allowable.variance.from.voter.parity.where.this.was.clearly.required.to.ensure.effective.representation.for.the.affected.population.

Rural–urban.differences.was.the.concern.that.arose.most.often.in.both.the.Commission’s.analysis.and.in.the.public.consultation.process,.particularly.with.regard.to.the.physical.distance.that.many.elected.rural.representatives.had.to.travel.to.effectively.represent.their.constituents.(or,.conversely,.that.their.constituents.had.to.travel.to.access.their.representatives)..A.second.major.difference.concerned.the.greater.scope.of.representation.required.of.rural.members.of.the.legislature,.especially.regarding.the.issue.of.road.repairs.and.other.public.services.that.tend.to.be.provided.by.municipal.governments.in.urban.areas..As.a.result,.the.Commission.has.erred.on.the.side.of.somewhat.higher.numbers.of.electors.in.urban.districts.and.somewhat.lower.numbers.in.rural.areas..Yet.it.should.be.noted.that.where.factors.such.as.geography.and.community.interest.and.identity.suggested.only.minor.or.no.deviance.from.voter.parity,.the.proposed.electoral.boundaries.of.both.rural.and.urban.constituencies.reflect.this.congruence.

As.well,.given.the.weight.of.public.input,.and.after.much.deliberation,.the.Commission.adopted.the.position.that.it.would.not.attempt.to.systematically.“build-in”.or.anticipate.future.population.changes.in.the.electoral.redistribution.process.(though.consideration.was.made.in.the.case.of.Hammonds.Plains-Lucasville,.as.noted.earlier)..Its.proposed.boundaries.are.based.solely.on.population.statistics.drawn.from.the.2011.census..While.this.is.likely.to.continue.the.long-standing.situation.whereby.the.distribution.of.provincial.electoral.districts.tends.to.lag.somewhat.behind.actual.population.movements.within.the.province,.the.Commission.is.of.the.opinion.that.this.modest.delay.in.translating.population.movement.to.seat.redistribution.is.warranted..It.helps.to.cushion.the.long-term.shift.of.population.and.political.representation.from.rural.to.urban.areas.that.is.an.almost.universal.phenomenon,.happening.not.only.in.Nova.Scotia.but.throughout.Canada.and.the.world.

Number of Seats in the House of Assembly

The.Commission.considered.whether,.and.to.what.extent,.a.reduction.in.seats.would.be.practical.from.a.political,.administrative,.and.geographic.perspective..It.was.cognizant.of.the.central.importance.of.effective.political.representation.and.mindful.of.the.demands.of.the.Westminster.parliamentary.system.


in.terms.of.providing.sufficient.numbers.of.members.to.draw.upon.in.order.to.make.possible.the.formation.of.a.capable.government.and.an.adequate.opposition..It.also.took.into.account.that.significant.seat.reduction.would.see.some.rural.constituencies.becoming.more.unwieldy.in.terms.of.geographic.size.and.raise.concerns.about.fair.and.effective.representation.

There.were.a.number.of.presentations.to.the.Commission.advocating.a.reduction.in.the.number.of.seats.in.the.House.of.Assembly.(though.even.more.expressed.satisfaction.with.the.current.number.of.seats)..Many.of.them.made.reference.to.the.reduction.in.HRM.council.seats.recently.mandated.by.the.Nova.Scotia.Utility.and.Review.Board.(UARB)..They.argued.that.this.should.be.a.model.or.template.followed.by.the.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.and.applied.to.all.of.Nova.Scotia..After.the.reduction.in.HRM.municipal.districts.from.23.to.16,.the.average.number.of.electors.is.18,778..If.this.were.the.average.for.all.provincial.constituencies,.the.total.number.of.provincial.electoral.districts.would.be.43,.a.reduction.of.9.from.the.current.52..One.rationale.offered.by.proponents.for.a.reduction.in.seats.was.that.it.makes.sense.to.use.the.same.boundaries.for.all.levels.of.government.(though.this.would.apply.only.to.Halifax)..However,.the.most.common.reason.advanced.for.fewer.seats.was.the.notion.that.this.would.reduce.the.size.of.government,.which.was.seen.to.be.either.a.good.thing.in.itself,.or.because.it.would.lessen.the.burden.on.taxpayers..The.Commission.considered.all.of.these.points.but.remained.unconvinced.that.they.were.of.sufficient.concern.or.validity.to.justify.a.recommendation.to.significantly.reduce.the.number.of.legislators.in.the.House.of.Assembly.

While.the.reduction.in.the.size.of.both.the.HRM.and.CBRM.(Cape.Breton.Regional.Municipality).municipal.councils.is.consistent.with.the.goal.of.good.governance,.given.the.structure.and.processes.of.municipal.government,.these.considerations.are.very.different.for.the.provincial.legislature..Canada.by.most.measures.is.the.most.decentralized.federation—with.the.most.powerful,.sovereign,.and.autonomous.sub-national.governments—among.all.OECD.(developed).countries..This.is.reflected.in.the.unusually.broad.scope.of.the.jurisdiction.wielded.by.its.provinces.(including.responsibility.for.municipalities)..Because.the.province.is.the.level.of.government.primarily.responsible.for.providing.most.public.and.social.services.to.Nova.Scotians,.it.is.crucial.that.electors.have.representation.in.the.legislature.that.is.adequate.to.the.needs.of.Nova.Scotia’s.parliamentary.form.of.democracy..In.particular,.Nova.Scotians.must.have.the.capacity.to.hold.their.government.accountable.for.its.policies,.programs,.and.governance.practices..This.is.the.essence.of.the.“effective.representation”.that.the.Supreme.Court.of.Canada.identifies.as.the.right.of.all.Canadian.citizens.

While.the.Commission.respects.the.views.of.those.who.argued.that.fewer.elected.representatives.would.not.detract.from.effective.representation.for.Nova.Scotians,.it.does.not.share.this.point.of.view..Furthermore,.no.submission.on.this.issue.demonstrated.that.the.cost.benefit.to.be.derived.from.fewer.representatives.in.the.legislature.justified.the.reduced.representation.that.would.be.entailed..In.fact,.the.actual.cost.of.maintaining.a.legislator,.relative.to.the.overall.cost.of.government,.is.vanishingly.small..Also.of.concern.to.the.Commission.was.the.tendency.to.conflate.or.equate.the.legislature.with.“government,”.as.some.submissions.advocating.reduced.seats.tended.to.do..This.essentially.confuses.two.distinctly.different.parts.of.the.political.system.that.serve.different.purposes.in.a.democracy..The.


legislature.is.not.part.of.the.government,.but.instead.the.main.means.available.to.the.people.to.exert.popular.influence.or.control.over.the.political.executive.(Premier.and.cabinet),.who.in.turn.are.charged.with.managing.the.government,.comprising.mainly.the.various.bureaucratic.and.administrative.agencies.of.the.state.

The.Commission.concluded.that.no.significant.reduction.in.the.number.of.seats.in.the.House.of.Assembly.is.warranted.and.that.any.recommendation.on.its.part.to.do.so.would.seriously.compromise.the.capacity.of.the.legislature.to.provide.effective.representation.to.all.Nova.Scotians.

Minority Representation and Protected Constituencies

The.problem.of.ensuring.effective.representation.for.minority.populations.that.are.not.territorially.concentrated.is.a.vexing.one..Indeed,.the.working.of.the.electoral.system.makes.it.unlikely.that.a.territorially.fragmented.minority.population.(such.as.the.Acadians.or.African.Nova.Scotians).will.succeed.in.electing.one.of.their.community.members.to.represent.them.in.the.legislature..As.previously.indicated,.to.some.extent.this.bias.in.the.electoral.system.was.overcome.in.Nova.Scotia.(at.least.over.the.past.20.years).by.protecting.selected.ridings.from.redistribution.based.on.voter.parity.in.order.to.encourage.minority.representation.in.the.legislature..Under.its.legally.binding.terms.of.reference,.the.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.is.no.longer.able.to.maintain.this.special.dispensation.for.four.protected.constituencies..Given.this.reality,.are.there.alternative.ways.to.address.the.representation.needs.of.the.special.populations.that.have.been.protected.in.the.last.two.boundary.drawing.exercises?

Four Administrative Districts

One.means.suggested.to.the.Commission.as.a.way.to.ensure.representation.in.the.legislature.for.the.Acadian.and.African.Nova.Scotian.minorities.is.the.idea.of.“at-large.seats”.or.“administrative.districts”.to.be.determined.by.ballots.cast.from.separate.voter.lists..Acadian.and.African.Nova.Scotian.voters.would.have.a.choice:.they.could.cast.their.ballot.for.a.constituency.representative.or.vote.for.a.candidate.contesting.one.of.several.designated.“at-large”.seats..It.was.suggested.to.the.Commission.that.there.be.three.designated.Acadian.seats.(one.each.for.Southwest.Nova.Scotia,.Mainland.Nova.Scotia,.and.Cape.Breton).and.one.African.Nova.Scotian.seat..Accomplishing.this.would.require.the.compilation.of.four.additional.voter.lists,.one.for.each.of.these.designated.seats..It.was.suggested.that.these.be.compiled.through.voluntary.subscription.

The.Commission,.after.considering.this.suggestion,.decided.that.it.could.not.positively.recommend.it,.for.several.reasons..The.compilation.of.several.alternative.voter.lists,.the.voluntary.nature.of.voter.subscription.to.these.lists,.and.the.need.to.ensure.no.overlap.between.each.of.these.lists.(as.well.


as.the.general.list).would.present.a.considerable.administrative.burden.and.challenge..Second,.the.voluntary.nature.of.the.lists.and.the.voter.option.to.instead.remain.on.constituency.voter.lists.would.likely.mean.very.small.electorates.for.these.seats.relative.to.the.average.number.of.electors.in.constituencies,.even.compared.to.the.number.of.electors.in.the.four.currently.protected.ridings..As.well,.removing.some.or.most.minority.voters.from.their.territorial.constituencies.would.virtually.guarantee.that.that.those.constituencies.would.return.a.non-minority.representative,.who.would.be.elected.by.a.reduced.(perhaps.significantly.so).number.of.electors..Indeed,.it.is.possible.that.both.certain.territorial.constituencies.and.the.at-large.ridings.would.have.fewer.than.the.required.minimum.number.of.electors..Third,.this.proposal.would.require.increasing.the.number.of.seats.in.the.legislature.above.the.maximum.of.52.as.directed.in.the.Commission’s.terms.of.reference..Fourth,.the.non-exclusivity.of.legislative.representation.that.would.inevitably.result.from.four.at-large.seats.would.mean.that.some.voters.would.enjoy.a.form.of.double.representation.in.the.legislature,.since.voters.for.these.seats.also.would.continue.to.reside.in.one.of.the.non-designated.constituencies.represented.by.an.elected.MLA.

Finally,.there.was.a.general.concern.on.the.part.of.Commissioners.that.departing.from.the.parliamentary.tradition.of.territorially.based.representation.might.have.unforeseen.consequences.for.the.effective.functioning.of.the.legislature..Under.some.circumstances,.it.could.raise.questions.about.the.legitimacy.of.the.designated.seat-holders.to.speak.on.behalf.of.the.communities.they.claimed.to.represent..It.could.stimulate.demands.from.other.groups.not.so.favoured,.that.they.too.should.have.their.specific.group.interest.and.identity.represented.in.the.legislature..Representative.democracy.as.practised.in.Nova.Scotia.has.been.based.on.the.principle.that.elected.members.of.the.legislative.assembly.have.the.mandate.and.responsibility.to.represent.all.their.constituents,.without.bias.or.prejudice.based.on.political,.cultural,.racial,.or.other.differentiating.characteristics..While.this.form.of.representation.certainly.has.not.been.without.flaws.in.its.operation,.at.this.time.the.Commission.is.not.willing.to.recommend.an.alternative.basis.of.political.representation.in.the.Legislative.Assembly.

A Designated Acadian Seat

The.history.of.the.Acadians.is.one.of.the.great.stories.of.tragedy.and.redemption.in.western.civilization..Their.expulsion.from.Nova.Scotia.from.1755.to.1760.(le.Grand.Dérangement).was.one.of.the.early.instances.of.“ethnic.cleansing”.in.the.western.world..Acadians.were.deprived.of.their.homes.and.property,.families.were.rent.asunder,.and.many.lives.were.lost.during.transit.to.regions.far.from.the.Acadian.homeland..That.some.Acadians.were.able.to.return.and.re-establish.themselves.as.minority.communities.in.Nova.Scotia.and.New.Brunswick,.against.improbable.odds,.has.become.the.central.touchstone.of.Acadian.history.and.identity..Nova.Scotian.Acadians.today.represent.not.only.the.remnants.of.the.Acadian.diaspora.returned.to.the.region,.but.an.internal.diaspora.as.well,.forced.into.a.fragmented.and.peripheralized.geography.of.settlement.within.the.province.by.the.alienation.of.their.ancestral.lands.and.by.their.marginalized.political.status..This.diasporic.geography.is.particularly.


unsuited.to.effective.political.representation.in.the.House.of.Assembly.under.the.first-past-the-post.electoral.system..So,.while.in.New.Brunswick.their.greater.numbers.and.relative.geographic.concentration.has.enabled.the.Acadian.community.to.attain.a.political,.cultural,.and.linguistic.status.of.equality.with.the.anglophone.majority,.in.their.traditional.homeland.of.Nova.Scotia—again.because.of.numbers.and.geography—they.are.today.poised.on.the.knife-edge.of.assimilation.

Considered.in.this.context,.the.loss.of.the.protected.Acadian.seats.can.be.perceived.as.a.further.reduction.in.the.means.and.instruments.available.to.Nova.Scotia’s.Acadians.to.protect.their.fragile.linguistic.and.cultural.position.within.the.province..Under.these.circumstances,.some.compensatory.measure.to.ensure.French-speaking,.Acadian.representation.in.the.legislature.seems.both.reasonable.and.appropriate..The.problem.is.the.difficulty.of.accomplishing.this.within.the.Boundary.Commission’s.terms.of.reference,.which.forbid.the.small.districts.(a.form.of.affirmative.gerrymandering).that.over.the.past.20.years.made.the.three.protected.Acadian.seats.possible.

A.modest.alternative,.though.not.unproblematic,.would.be.for.the.Nova.Scotia.Legislature.to.designate.a.single.seat.in.the.House.of.Assembly.to.be.chosen.by.using.the.existing.balloting.procedures.for.the.election.of.members.to.the.Acadian.school.board,.the.Conseil.scolaire.acadien.provincial.(CSAP)..Voters.who.already.self-identify.as.Acadians/French-speakers.in.order.to.elect.members.of.the.province-wide.school.board.would.simultaneously.constitute.the.electorate.for.this.designated.seat.in.the.House.of.Assembly..In.effect,.a.new.provincial.constituency.would.be.created.that.would.constitute.the.52nd.seat.in.the.legislature,.consistent.with.the.limits.imposed.by.the.terms.of.reference..The.individual.chosen.to.represent.this.52nd.electoral.district.would.have.the.same.voting.rights.and.privileges.as.the.other.elected.members.of.the.legislature..Presumably,.candidates.from.each.of.the.major.political.parties,.as.well.as.independent.candidates,.would.contest.this.seat.

While.this.proposal.would.satisfy.some.of.the.legitimate.representational.concerns.and.clear.some.of.the.present.legal.obstacles.that.hinder.the.previous.proposal.for.four.administrative.districts,.there.is.still.a.reasonable.objection.that.can.be.raised.on.voter.equality.grounds:.since.electors.would.have.the.option.to.cast.a.ballot.in.both.the.general.election.and.the.CSAP.electoral.process,.they.effectively.would.exercise.a.double.franchise.by.participating.in.the.election.of.two.different.MLAs..It.should.be.noted,.however,.that.in.voter.parity.terms,.the.“weight”.of.a.ballot.for.the.provincial.Acadian.seat.would.be.less.than.the.equivalent.of.a.second.vote..With.approximately.35,000.Nova.Scotians.who.claim.French.as.their.home.language,.any.ballot.cast.in.a.single,.province-wide.Acadian.electoral.district.would.have.approximately.one-third.the.weight.of.a.regular.constituency.ballot..This.additional.voting.weight.could.be.viewed.as.a.form.of.“political.insurance”.for.Acadians,.since.it.would.guarantee.them.a.minimum.of.one.distinctively.Acadian.voice.in.the.legislature..Further,.it.would.recognize.the.shared.cultural.and.linguistic.concerns.of.all.Acadians.and.minority.French-speakers,.regardless.of.where.they.live.in.the.province..Finally,.in.a.modest.way.it.would.constitute.symbolic.recognition.of.the.unique.and.important.place.of.the.Acadian.people.in.the.history.of.Nova.Scotia,.the.province.that.is.their.ancestral.homeland.and.the.cradle.of.Acadian.culture.


Recommendation

Problems and reasonable objections remain even with this more limited proposal.

Within the Commission, there was not full agreement about its merit. Since

special legislation would have to be passed to enact it (or any other proposal of a

similar nature), the Commission suggests that the House of Assembly take it under

advisement in order to air and debate the various issues more fully. The Commission

is also of the opinion that the legislature should establish a process for consulting

with key minority groups, in particular the Acadian and African Nova Scotian

communities, for the purpose of determining alternative means for achieving fair

and effective minority representation in the House of Assembly.

Electoral System Reform

Though.it.is.not.part.of.the.Commission’s.mandate.to.study.electoral.reform.or.to.recommend.changes.to.the.current.electoral.system,.there.were.a.number.of.submissions.on.this.topic.in.the.public.consultation.process..Reforming.the.first-past-the-post.(FPTP).electoral.system.was.suggested.as.a.means.of.improving.Nova.Scotia’s.representative.democracy,.by.more.accurately.translating.voter.preferences.into.seats.in.the.legislature..The.distortions.introduced.by.the.current.system,.whereby.only.one.member.can.be.elected.per.constituency,.with.no.allowance.made.for.popular.vote.totals,.can.be.a.disincentive.to.political.participation..This.happens.because.all.votes.for.losing.candidates.are,.in.effect,.“thrown.out,”.and.only.those.cast.for.the.winning.candidate.in.each.riding.count.in.terms.of.electing.a.representative..Some.element.of.proportional.representation.is.recommended.as.a.means.to.“make.every.vote.count.”

Another.rationale.for.electoral.system.reform.concerns.the.difficulty.of.ensuring.minority.representation.under.the.FPTP.system..As.noted.above,.this.has.become.clear.in.the.current.electoral.redistribution.process.with.regard.to.Acadian.and.African.Nova.Scotian.representation..The.same.point.could.be.made.for.the.small.number.of.women.elected.to.the.legislature..Comparative.literature.on.this.topic.clearly.shows.that.political.systems.using.some.form.of.proportional.representation.perform.better.than.FPTP.systems.in.terms.of.minority.and.female.representation.in.elected.legislatures..The.use.of.party.lists,.quotas,.designated.seats,.and.other.mechanisms.in.proportional.systems.largely.accounts.for.these.differences..As.well,.the.dynamics.of.the.system,.which.tend.toward.coalition.building,.would.promote.more.co-operation.and.accommodation.among.parties.in.terms.of.the.legislative.agenda.

There.appear.to.be.significant.democratic.benefits.to.be.gained.from.incorporating.some.measure.of.proportional.representation.into.the.current.FPTP.electoral.system..This.no.doubt.explains.why.this.


option.has.been.recommended.by.commissions.and.assemblies.in.a.number.of.provinces.over.the.past.decade..The.most.popular.recommendation.in.Canada.has.been.to.replace.the.FPTP.electoral.system.with.some.form.of.mixed-member.proportional.(MMP).system,.which.combines.some.of.the.advantages.of.the.existing.single-member.constituencies.with.greater.proportionality.

Recommendation

The Commission is aware that the serious consideration and recommendation of

alternative electoral systems is beyond its mandate. It is also cognizant that the

adoption of a new electoral system represents a dramatic change to one of Nova

Scotia’s key political institutions. It therefore suggests that the Nova Scotia Legislature

initiate a process involving both extensive critical examination and public

consultation on the current electoral system as well as possible alternatives to it.


Population and Electoral Data

The.Commission.examined.population.and.electoral.statistics.to.determine.trends.and.changes.over.the.last.decade..The.most.noticeable.trend.was.that.population.is.growing.in.and.around.Halifax.Regional.Municipality.and.declining.essentially.everywhere.else.in.the.province.

Seat entitlement.is.a.measure.of.the.relative.parity.of.voting.power.in.a.given.constituency.(see.Table.1)..Seat.entitlement.calculations.vary.depending.on.whether.population.figures.or.the.number.of.electors.are.used..Consistent.with.past.practice,.the.Commission.used.the.number.of.electors—those.Canadian.citizens.over.the.age.of.18.and.therefore.eligible.to.vote—as.the.basis.for.its.distribution.calculations..and.recommendations.

Elections.Nova.Scotia.provided.technical.support,.particularly.through.making.its.GIS.technology.available.to.the.Commission..This.technology.enabled.the.Commission.to.calculate.voter.numbers.in.the.various.redistribution.scenarios.that.were.evaluated.for.the.purpose.of.eliminating.and.narrowing.seat.entitlement.gaps..The.value.of.this.tool.in.providing.fast.and.accurate.results.cannot.be.overstated..(See.Appendix.K.for.elaboration.on.data.sources.)


The.House.of.Assembly.Act.requires.the.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.to.conduct.two.rounds.of.public.meetings,.before.and.after.preparing.a.preliminary.report..Beginning.in.mid-March,.we.set.out.on.the.first.round.to.visit.13.different.communities.across.the.province..Our.role.was.to.listen.to.concerns.about,.and.proposed.changes.to,.the.current.electoral.boundaries;.to.explain.the.Commission’s.terms.of.reference;.and.to.direct.attention.to.key.issues.relating.to.the.terms.of.reference.

It.is.not.surprising.that.attendance.and.participation.at.these.meetings.was.highest.where.there.was.concern.about.the.protected.constituencies.and.the.prospect.of.losing.their.established.boundaries..In.other.constituencies,.we.heard.about.difficulties.with.boundary.lines.that.cut.across.communities.of.interest.or.were.otherwise.awkwardly.placed..These.public.contributions.became.part.of.the.material.we.used.to.prepare.our.Interim.Report.(see.Appendix.B,.first.round.public.meeting.schedule,.and.Appendix.I,.summary.of.comments)..A.total.of.130.individuals.made.presentations.during.the.first.round.of.public.meetings.

Public.response.to.the.Revised.Interim.Report.during.the.second.round.of.meetings.(nine.in.all).was.considerably.greater..This.time,.there.was.heated.reaction.to.the.changes.we.had.proposed.to.accommodate.population.shifts.and.to.move.boundaries.of.the.four.protected.constituencies.to.bring.their.voter.numbers.up.to.at.least.75.per.cent.of.the.provincial.average..We.met.passion,.enthusiasm,.anger,.and.cynicism..Some.speakers.called.for.fewer.seats;.some.called.for.more..Many.condemned.the.emphasis.on.numbers.and.the.use.of.a.simplistic.arithmetic.exercise.to.meet.relative.parity.of.voting.power..Some.clearly.regarded.us.as.a.Halifax-centred.instrument.of.a.government.out.to.destroy.selected.parts.of.the.province..Often,.we.were.extended.sympathy.for.taking.on.an.impossible.task..Almost.always,.however,.we.were.in.the.company.of.a.seriously.constructive,.respectful.and.genial.public.interested.in.being.part.of.the.democratic.process.(see.Appendix.C,.second.round.meeting.schedule,.and.Appendix.I,.summary.of.comments)..A.total.of.156.individuals.made.presentations.during.the.second.round.of.public.meetings.

Increased.attendance.and.greater.participation.in.the.second.round.of.public.hearings.also.had.the.positive.effect.of.providing.the.Commission.with.new.and.useful.information..We.were.convinced.that.the.results.of.the.first.round.did.not.warrant.the.time.and.cost.of.travelling.across.the.province.to.visit.13.communities..We.were.not.surprised.by.the.scant.response;.we.couldn’t.expect.to.find.high.interest.in.the.process.of.redistributing.electoral.boundaries.if.people.were.unaware.of.a.problem..There.had.to.be.an.immediate.threat.of.unwelcome.change,.or.an.irritant.in.the.current.situation..That.is.what.brought.people.out.in.a.few.communities.for.the.first.round,.and.in.all.locations.for.the.second.round..They.were.moved.to.strongly.resist.a.proposed.change,.or.to.suggest.an.improvement.in.the.direction.of.proposed.boundary.lines.in.places.they.knew.well..Although.it.was.impossible.for.the.Commission.to.accommodate.all.of.their.concerns,.we.were.left.with.a.rich.store.of.helpful.information.to.consider.for.the.final.placement.of.boundary.lines.

Our.experience.with.the.public.consultation.process.prompts.us.to.suggest.a.better.way..Specifically,.an.invitation.to.the.first.round.of.public.hearings.needs.a.commanding.reason.why.the.public.might.

The Public Consultation Process


become.interested.enough.to.respond..We.suggest.that.the.reason.would.be.an.initial.draft.of.proposed.boundary.changes..The.draft.would.be.constructed.by.the.Commission.on.the.basis.of.population.shifts.derived.from.new.census.data,.and.on.its.assigned.terms.of.reference..The.proposed.changes.would.serve.as.a.solid.base.for.public.response.through.the.first.round.of.hearings.and.through.other.means.of.public.input..This.opportunity.would.increase.and.enrich.the.information.available.to.the.Commission.as.it.prepares.an.interim.report..It.would.likely.increase.public.understanding.of.what.is.required.to.ensure.relative.parity.of.voting.power..And.it.would.likely.mean.that.the.second.round.of.hearings/submissions.would.further.refine.information.required.for.a.highly.credible.final.report.on.electoral.boundaries.

Recommendation

The House of Assembly Act determines the method of engaging the public through

two rounds of public meetings, before and after preparing a preliminary report. The

Commission believes that the consultation process would be strengthened by having

a draft of proposed boundary changes made public prior to the first round of public

meetings. It therefore suggests that the Nova Scotia Legislature modify the House

of Assembly Act requiring a draft of proposed boundary changes be made public by

the Boundaries Commission before the first round of public meetings, followed by a

preliminary report before the second round of public meetings.

Apart.from.the.public.meetings,.we.used.other.means.to.be.open.to.the.public..The.Commission’s.website.(http://www.nselectoralboundaries.ca/).provided.basic.information.about.our.purpose.and.procedure,.including.transcripts.of.each.of.the.public.meetings..French.interpretation.services.were.provided.at.both.rounds.of.the.public.meetings.in.Halifax.and.Church.Point./.Pointe-de-l’Église.and.at.the.meetings.in.Louisdale,.Port.Hawkesbury,.and.Tusket..As.well,.we.received.close.to.1200.submissions.and.comments.through.e-mails,.posted.mail,.phone.calls.and.personal.delivery.(see.Appendices.F,.G,.and.H.for.lists.of.written.submissions).


Table 1: 2001 and 2011 Electors and Seat Entitlements for Existing Electoral Constituencies

Constituency 2001 2011

Electors Seat Entitlement Electors Seat

Entitlement(4) (1) (1, 3) (2) (3)

Annapolis 14,321 1.08 13,925 1.02

Antigonish 14,522 1.09 14,769 1.08

Argyle 6,718 0.50 6,419 0.47

Bedford-Birch Cove 15,944 1.20 21,133 1.54

Cape Breton Centre 12,168 0.91 11,203 0.82

Cape Breton North 13,825 1.04 12,612 0.92

Cape Breton Nova 11,107 0.83 10,045 0.73

Cape Breton South 14,804 1.11 15,444 1.13

Cape Breton West 15,026 1.13 14,399 1.05

Chester-St. Margaret’s 14,892 1.12 15,977 1.17

Clare 7,337 0.55 6,531 0.48

Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley 13,649 1.02 13,640 1.00

Colchester North 13,270 1.00 13,879 1.01

Cole Harbour 15,355 1.15 15,084 1.10

Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage 11,477 0.86 12,710 0.93

Cumberland North 13,707 1.03 14,013 1.02

Cumberland South 11,662 0.88 10,233 0.75

Dartmouth East 15,279 1.15 14,608 1.07

Dartmouth North 15,421 1.16 15,512 1.13

Dartmouth South-Portland Valley 15,777 1.18 19,172 1.40

Digby-Annapolis 10,860 0.82 10,004 0.73

Eastern Shore 10,569 0.79 12,086 0.88

Glace Bay 13,378 1.00 12,236 0.89

Guysborough-Sheet Harbour 10,383 0.78 9,100 0.67

Halifax Atlantic 15,445 1.16 16,289 1.19

Halifax Chebucto 15,280 1.15 14,999 1.10

Halifax Citadel-Sable Island 15,755 1.18 16,593 1.21

Halifax Clayton Park 15,115 1.13 21,886 1.60

Halifax Fairview 15,204 1.14 15,865 1.16

Halifax Needham 15,847 1.19 17,057 1.25

Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville 14,407 1.08 18,122 1.32

Hants East 15,978 1.20 17,300 1.26

Hants West 14,485 1.09 14,650 1.07

Inverness 14,961 1.12 13,641 1.00


Constituency 2001 2011

Electors Seat Entitlement Electors Seat

Entitlement(4) (1) (1, 3) (2) (3)

Kings North 14,742 1.11 15,096 1.10

Kings South 14,621 1.10 16,099 1.18

Kings West 14,870 1.12 14,614 1.07

Lunenburg 13,782 1.03 13,720 1.00

Lunenburg West 13,783 1.03 14,380 1.05

Pictou Centre 13,251 0.99 12,860 0.94

Pictou East 12,069 0.91 11,803 0.86

Pictou West 11,107 0.83 10,886 0.80

Preston 7,335 0.55 7,593 0.55

Queens 10,534 0.79 9,706 0.71

Richmond 8,060 0.60 7,192 0.53

Sackville-Cobequid 14,980 1.12 14,803 1.08

Shelburne 12,371 0.93 11,210 0.82

Timberlea-Prospect 15,053 1.13 16,662 1.22

Truro-Bible Hill 14,898 1.12 15,656 1.14

Victoria-The Lakes 10,413 0.78 8,930 0.65

Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank 13,490 1.01 16,312 1.19

Yarmouth 13,749 1.03 12,900 0.94

Total 693,040 52 711,558 52

Average 13,328 13,684

(1).Source:.August.2002.Final.Report.of.the.Provincial.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.

(2).Electors.are.defined.as.Canadian.citizens.18.years.of.age.and.older,.based.on.2011.census.data.

(3).Seat.entitlements.(based.on.number.of.electors).are.calculated.by.dividing.the.number.of.electors.in.each.constituency.by.the.provincial.average.of.electors.per.constituency.based.on.52.seats.(e.g.,.711,558/52.=.13,684).

(4).Current.constituency.numbers..


Introduction

The.Commission.has.determined.the.following:

1.. There.should.be.51.members.in.the.House.of.Assembly.

2.. One.constituency.should.be.removed.from.Cape.Breton.and.two.from.mainland.Nova.Scotia.

3.. Two.new.constituencies.are.recommended.for.the.Halifax.area.in.order.to.accommodate.growth.in.the.number.of.electors.on.the.western.side.of.the.harbour;.boundary.adjustments.in.the.remaining.constituencies.are.guided,.to.the.extent.possible,.by.the.goal.of.relative.voter.parity.

While.the.Commission.was.not.bound.by.county.or.municipal.boundaries.in.the.redistribution.process,.they.have.been.used.where.feasible..The.Commission.has.been.diligent.in.working.with,.and.accommodating,.existing.polling.districts,.as.well.as.using.land.features.such.as.highways.and.water.bodies.that.provide.natural.and.workable.separation.of.population.areas.

Regional Overview

Annapolis Valley

The.only.proposed.change.to.the.five.electoral.districts.that.make.up.the.Annapolis.Valley.is.to.expand.the.electoral.district.of.Annapolis.to.include.all.of.Annapolis.County.(excluding.the.Maitland.Bridge.area)..This.was.a.positive.response.to.community.input,.made.possible.by.changes.in.neighbouring.electoral.districts.

Cape Breton Island

Due.to.population.decline.in.Cape.Breton.over.the.past.ten.years,.significant.boundary.adjustments.are.required..At.present,.three.electoral.districts.in.Cape.Breton.fall.below.the.minimum.number.of.electors.needed.in.order.to.be.within.the.mandatory.district.size.of.±25.per.cent.of.the.provincial.average:.Cape.Breton.Nova,.Victoria-The.Lakes,.and.Richmond..In.order.to.bring.all.Cape.Breton.ridings.into.compliance.with.the.allowable.parameters.for.relative.voter.parity.(as.set.out.in.the.Commission’s.terms.of.reference),.it.is.proposed.that.the.number.of.seats.allocated.to.the.Cape.Breton.region.is.reduced.by.one.

The.major.change.proposed.for.urban.Cape.Breton.is.the.creation.of.the.new.riding.of.Sydney.from.major.portions.of.the.existing.ridings.of.Cape.Breton.South.and.Cape.Breton.Nova..Following.public.consultation,.the.northern.boundary.of.the.proposed.constituency.of.Sydney.is.extended.to.include.the.entire.community.of.Whitney.Pier,.which.is.added.to.the.revised.boundary.of.Cape.Breton.South.

Proposed Electoral Redistribution


It.is.proposed.that.the.southwest.boundary.of.Cape.Breton.Centre.be.extended.to.include.the.portion.of.Cape.Breton.Nova.in.the.South.Bar.area.and.the.boundary.of.Cape.Breton.North.be.extended.to.include.the.Westmount.area.(from.Cape.Breton.South),.with.the.proposed.riding.to.be.renamed.Northside-Westmount.

It.is.proposed.that.Victoria.the.Lakes.be.expanded.to.include.the.Point.Aconi.and.Northside.East.Bay.areas.

It.is.proposed.that.Richmond.be.expanded.south.to.include.the.Town.of.Port.Hawkesbury.(from.Inverness).and.be.expanded.north.into.the.electoral.district.of.Cape.Breton.West,.such.that.the.boundary.between.the.two.districts.becomes.an.east-west.line.along.the.Morley.Road.from.the.Mira.River.to.East.Bay..To.reflect.these.significant.changes,.it.is.proposed.that.the.Richmond.constituency.be.renamed.Cape.Breton-Richmond.

The.southern.boundary.of.Cape.Breton.West,.which.borders.Cape.Breton-Richmond,.has.been.redrawn.to.include.all.the.lands.on.the.south.side.of.the.Mira.River,.extending.to.the.Richmond.County.line..All.of.Grand.Mira.South,.French.Road,.and.Gabarus.would.remain.in.the.constituency.of.Cape.Breton.West..It.would.also.gain.some.additional.areas.on.the.southern.fringes.of.the.former.city.of.Sydney..It.is.proposed.that.Cape.Breton.West.be.renamed.Sydney.River-Mira-Louisbourg.

Fundy Northeast

The.only.proposed.change.to.the.six.electoral.districts.that.make.up.Fundy.Northeast.is.to.expand.Cumberland.South.into.Cumberland.North..This.is.proposed.so.that.Cumberland.South.would.fall.within.the.±25.per.cent.variance.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)

Since.the.last.boundary.review.in.2002,.population.growth.has.continued.to.increase.in.the.Halifax.Regional.Municipality.(HRM)..In.fact,.five.electoral.districts.in.HRM—Bedford-Birch.Cove,.Dartmouth.South-Portland.Valley,.Halifax.Clayton.Park,.Halifax.Needham,.and.Hammonds.Plains-Upper.Sackville—currently.fall.at.or.above.the.maximum.allowable.number.of.electors.to.stay.within.the.mandatory.electoral.district.size.of.±25.per.cent.of.the.provincial.average..In.order.to.bring.all.of.the.HRM.constituencies.into.compliance.with.the.allowable.parameters.for.relative.voter.parity,.it.is.proposed.that.the.number.of.seats.allocated.to.HRM.be.increased.by.two..Specifically,.two.new.constituencies—Fairview-Clayton.Park.and.Sackville—are.proposed.to.be.added.to.the.Halifax.area.to.accommodate.for.the.significant.growth.in.the.number.of.electors.on.the.western.side.of.the.harbour.

For.the.previously.protected.constituency.of.Preston,.the.Commission.considered.the.impact.that.strict.adherence.to.the.terms.of.reference.will.have.in.attempting.to.achieve.clause.2(d).in.the.Preston.electoral.district.with.limited.options..Following.input.from.the.community,.it.is.proposed.that.the.constituency.extend.westward.into.Dartmouth,.and.be.renamed.Dartmouth-Preston..Proposed.boundary.adjustments.in.the.remaining.constituencies.have.been.guided.by.the.goal.of.relative.voter.parity.to.the.greatest.extent.possible.


Northeastern Nova Scotia

It.is.proposed.that.the.five.electoral.districts.in.northeastern.Nova.Scotia—Antigonish,.Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour,.and.three.in.Pictou.County—be.retained..However,.population.decline.in.the.Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour.electoral.district.has.left.this.riding.below.the.minimum.threshold.for.relative.voter.parity,.requiring.the.redrawing.of.electoral.boundaries.in.this.region.

The.proposed.elimination.of.the.riding.of.Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour.in.the.Revised.Interim.Report.is.abandoned.for.reasons.of.geography.and.community.of.interest,.and.in.response.to.public.input..Instead,.it.is.proposed.that.the.southern.boundary.of.the.riding.at.Sheet.Harbour.be.retained.and.the.northern.boundary.extend.into.Antigonish.County.to.include.all.lands.east.of.the.Tracadie.River..It.is.proposed.that.the.new.constituency—which.includes.Guysborough.County.as.well.as.portions.of.HRM.and.Antigonish.County—be.renamed.East.Nova.

It.is.proposed.that.the.remainder.of.Antigonish.County.(minus.the.portion.east.of.the.Tracadie.River).forms.the.constituency.of.Antigonish..The.constituencies.of.Pictou.East,.Pictou.Centre,.and.Pictou.West.remain.unchanged.

As.a.geographic.region,.Northeastern.Nova.Scotia.is.the.furthest.from.voter.parity.(in.terms.of.average.number.of.electors.per.constituency).in.the.province..Its.relatively.low.numbers.reflect.the.geographic.and.demographic.challenge.posed.by.Guysborough.County.and.the.strong.sense.of.community.history,.interest,.and.identity.in.the.Pictou.and.Antigonish.ridings.

South Shore

The.South.Shore.comprises.three.electoral.districts:.Chester-St..Margaret’s,.Lunenburg,.and.Lunenburg.West..It.is.proposed.that.no.boundary.changes.will.affect.Lunenburg.and.Chester-St..Margaret’s.will.see.only.a.minor.adjustment..It.is.proposed.that.Lunenburg.West.expand.west.to.the.Lunenburg.County.line.and.gain.those.parts.of.Lunenburg.County.in.the.existing.electoral.district.of.Queens.

Southwest Nova Scotia

The.Revised.Interim.Report.left.open.the.manner.in.which.the.boundaries.would.change.in.three.of.the.region’s.electoral.districts:.Clare,.Yarmouth,.and.Argyle..It.specified.that.to.meet.the.Commission’s.terms.of.reference,.boundary.revision.would.be.necessary.in.the.districts.of.Clare.and.Argyle,.where.the.numbers.of.electors.were.insufficient..The.Revised.Interim.Report,.after.listing.five.ways.whereby.the.necessary.change.might.be.achieved,.proposed.two.of.those.ways:.to.extend.the.boundary.of.Clare.into.Yarmouth.County.and.the.boundary.of.Argyle.into.Yarmouth.town.and.a.southwest.portion.of.Yarmouth.County..These.were.soundly.rejected.through.the.Commission’s.public.consultation.processes..The.


remaining.alternatives.were.essentially.disregarded.in.public.submissions..In.short,.all.three.electoral.districts.strongly.opted.to.maintain.the.status.quo.

Yet.the.Commission.is.bound.by.the.terms.of.reference.with.respect.to.the.number.of.electors..It.therefore.proposes.the.following.in.this.Final.Report:

•. That.the.electoral.district.of.Clare.be.merged.with.the.remainder.of.the.County.of.Digby.to.form.a.new.constituency.to.be.named.Clare-Digby.

•. That.the.electoral.district.of.Yarmouth.be.retained.

•. That.the.electoral.district.of.Argyle.be.merged.with.the.district.of.Barrington,.including.Cape.Sable.Island,.to.form.a.new.constituency.to.be.named.Argyle-Barrington..The.Argyle-Barrington.eastern.boundary.is.the.Clyde.River.

•. That.the.electoral.district.of.Shelburne.loses.the.municipal.district.of.Barrington.and.be.merged.with.the.County.of.Queens.to.form.a.new.constituency.to.be.named.Queens-Shelburne.

•. That.the.electoral.district.of.Queens.lose.those.parts.of.Lunenburg.County.currently.in.its.area.to.the.electoral.district.of.Lunenburg.West.and.will.expand.northerly.into.Annapolis.County.to.include.areas.of.Maitland.Bridge.and.neighbouring.communities..It.is.proposed.that.Queens.will.also.merge.with.Shelburne.to.the.border.of.the.Municipality.of.Barrington.

Proposed Changes to Existing Electoral Boundaries, by Constituency

Note: Names in italics are proposed new constituency names.

1.. Annapolis:.Expands.westward.to.gain.the.Annapolis.County.portion.of.Digby-Annapolis,.north.of.the.Maitland.Bridge.area.

2.. Antigonish:.Loses.the.area.east.of.the.Tracadie.River.to.Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour.(East Nova).

3.. Argyle:.Gains.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Barrington.and.the.Town.of.Clark’s.Harbour.from.the.Electoral.District.of.Shelburne..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Argyle-Barrington.

4.. Bedford-Birch Cove:.Loses.the.Kearney.Lake.area.and.the.majority.of.the.Birch.Cove.area.to.Halifax-Clayton.Park.(Clayton Park West)..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Bedford.

5.. Cape Breton Centre:.Expands.southwest.toward.Sydney,.to.include.South.Bar,.Lingan.Road,.and.part.of.Grand.Lake.Road.areas.from.Cape.Breton.Nova.


6.. Cape Breton North:.Loses.the.area.west.of.Little.Bras.d’Or,.which.includes.Point.Aconi,.to.Victoria-The.Lakes..Expands.southward.to.gain.the.area.north.of.Highway.125,.including.the.Westmount.area,.from.Cape.Breton.South..The.constituency.to.be.renamed.Northside-Westmount.

7.. Cape Breton Nova:.This.constituency.has.been.reallocated.to.Cape.Breton.Centre,.Cape.Breton.West.(Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg),.and.Cape.Breton.South.(Sydney).

8.. Cape Breton South:.Expands.northward.to.include.Sydney.and.Whitney.Pier.area.from.Cape.Breton.Nova..Loses.the.Sydney.River,.Prime.Brook,.and.Mira.Road.areas.to.Cape.Breton.West.(Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg)..West.of.the.Sydney.River,.it.loses.the.Westmount.area.to.Cape.Breton.North.(Northside-Westmount),.and.the.Coxheath.area.to.Cape.Breton.West.(Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg)..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Sydney.

9.. Cape Breton West:.Gains.Mira.Road,.Sydney.River,.Prime.Brook,.and.Coxheath.areas.from.Cape.Breton.South,.as.well.as.a.section.of.Grand.Lake.Road.area.from.Cape.Breton.Nova..Loses.the.area.northwest.of.East.Bay.to.Victoria-The.Lakes,.and.loses.the.area.southwest.of.the.Portage.and.Sandfield.areas.and.west.of.the.Mira.River.to.Richmond.(Cape Breton-Richmond)..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg.

10.. Chester-St. Margaret’s:.Loses.the.Upper.Tantallon.area.north.of.Highway.103.to.Hammonds.Plains-Upper.Sackville.(Hammonds Plains-Lucasville).

11.. Clare:.Expands.eastward.to.include.the.remainder.of.Digby.County..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Clare-Digby.

12.. Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley:.No.change.

13.. Colchester North:.No.change.

14.. Cole Harbour:.Loses.a.portion.of.the.Westphal.area.to.Preston.(Dartmouth-Preston)..Gains.the.Portland.Hills.area.from.Dartmouth.South-Portland.Valley.and.the.area.east.of.Bell.Lake.from.Dartmouth.East..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Cole Harbour-Portland Valley.

15.. Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage:.Expands.westward.to.gain.the.area.south.of.Russell.Lake.and.east.of.Highway.111.from.Dartmouth.South-Portland.Valley.

16.. Cumberland North:.Loses.the.area.south.of.the.Nappan.River.to.Cumberland.South.

17.. Cumberland South:.Expands.northward.to.gain.the.area.south.of.the.Nappan.River.from.Cumberland.North.


18.. Dartmouth East:.Expands.northward.to.gain.the.Portobello.area.from.Waverley-Fall.River-Beaver.Bank..Loses.a.small.area.east.of.Bell.Lake.to.Cole.Harbour.(Cole Harbour-Portland Valley),.and.loses.the.area.north.of.Main.Street.and.east.of.Caledonia.Road.until.Geovex.Court.to.Preston.(Dartmouth-Preston).

19.. Dartmouth North:.No.change.

20.. Dartmouth South-Portland Valley:.Loses.the.Portland.Hills.area.to.Cole.Harbour.(Cole Harbour-Portland Valley).and.loses.the.area.south.of.Russell.Lake.and.east.of.Highway.111.to.Cole.Harbour-Eastern.Passage..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Dartmouth South.

21.. Digby-Annapolis:.This.constituency.is.to.be.merged.with.adjacent.constituencies..The.Digby.County.portion.is.to.be.merged.with.the.current.electoral.district.of.Clare.(Clare-Digby),.and.the.Annapolis.County.portion.is.to.be.merged.with.Annapolis,.excluding.the.Maitland.Bridge.area,.which.is.to.be.merged.with.Queens.(Queens-Shelburne).

22.. Eastern Shore:.Loses.the.Ross.Road.area.to.Preston.(Dartmouth-Preston).

23.. Glace Bay:.No.change.

24.. Guysborough-Sheet Harbour:.Expands.north.into.Antigonish.County,.to.include.the.area.east.of.the.Tracadie.River..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.East Nova.

25.. Halifax Atlantic:.Gains.a.small.number.of.streets.in.the.Williamswood.and.Harrietsfield.areas.from.Timberlea-Prospect..Loses.the.area.east.of.Herring.Cove.Road.and.north.of.Frog.Pond.Park.to.Halifax.Fairview.(Halifax-Armdale).

26.. Halifax Chebucto:.Expands.slightly.northeast.into.Halifax.Needham,.to.include.the.area.south.of.Robie.Street.and.east.of.Young.Street..Expands.slightly.southward.into.Halifax.Citadel-Sable.Island.to.include.the.area.west.of.Robie.Street.and.north.of.Coburg.Road..Loses.the.area.north.of.Bayers.Road.and.east.of.Connaught.Avenue.to.Halifax.Needham,.and.loses.the.area.north.of.Bayers.Road.and.west.of.Connaught.Avenue.to.the.new.constituency.of.Fairview-Clayton.Park.

27.. Halifax Citadel-Sable Island:.Loses.the.area.west.of.Robie.Street.and.north.of.Coburg.Road.to.Halifax.Chebucto.

28.. Halifax Clayton Park:.Gains.Birch.Cove.and.Kearney.Lake.areas.from.Bedford-Birch.Cove,.and.gains.the.Kearney.Lake.area.from.Hammonds.Plains-Upper.Sackville..Loses.the.Susies.Lake.and.Quarrie.Lake.areas.to.Timberlea-Prospect,.and.loses.the.areas.south.of.Mount.St.Vincent.University.and.Lacewood.Drive.as.well.as.the.Washmill.Lake.Drive.area.to.the.new.constituency.of.Fairview-Clayton.Park..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Clayton Park West.


29.. Halifax Fairview:.Gains.the.area.east.of.Herring.Cove.Road.and.north.of.Frog.Pond.Park.from.Halifax.Atlantic..Loses.the.area.north.of.Highway.102,.and.east.of.Northwest.Arm.Drive./.Dunbrack.Street.to.the.new.constituency.of.Fairview-Clayton.Park..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Halifax Armdale.

30.. Halifax Needham:.Loses.the.area.south.of.Robie.Street.and.east.of.Young.Street.to.Halifax.Chebucto..Gains.the.area.north.of.Bayers.Road.and.east.of.Connaught.Avenue.from.Halifax.Chebucto.

31.. Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville:.Loses.the.area.east.of.Highway.101,.including.the.Upper.Sackville.area,.to.the.new.constituency.of.Sackville..Loses.the.Kearney.Lake.area.to.Halifax-Clayton.Park.(Clayton Park West)..Expands.slightly.west.to.gain.the.Upper.Tantallon.area.north.of.Highway.103.from.Chester-St..Margaret’s..Expands.slightly.south.to.gain.the.Stillwater.Lake.area.from.Timberlea-Prospect..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Hammonds Plains-Lucasville.

32.. Hants East:.No.change.

33.. Hants West:.No.change.

34.. Inverness:.Loses.the.Town.of.Port.Hawkesbury.to.Richmond.(Cape Breton-Richmond).

35.. Kings North:.No.change.

36.. Kings South:.No.change.

37.. Kings West:.No.change.

38.. Lunenburg:.No.change.

39.. Lunenburg West:.Expands.westward.to.gain.the.remainder.of.Lunenburg.County.from.Queens.

40.. Pictou Centre:.No.change.

41.. Pictou East:.No.change.

42.. Pictou West:.No.change.

43.. Preston:.Expands.southwest.to.include.part.of.the.Westphal.area.from.Cole.Harbour.and.the.Ross.Road.area.from.Eastern.Shore..Expands.westward.to.gain.the.area.north.of.Main.Street.and.east.of.Caledonia.Road.until.Geovex.Court.from.Dartmouth.East..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Dartmouth-Preston.


44.. Queens:.Loses.area.within.Lunenburg.County.to.Lunenburg.West..Expands.slightly.northward.to.gain.the.Maitland.Bridge.area.from.Digby-Annapolis,.and.expands.west.to.the.municipal.boundary.separating.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Barrington.and.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Shelburne..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Queens-Shelburne.

45.. Richmond:.Gains.the.Town.of.Port.Hawkesbury.from.Inverness.and.expands.northeast.to.include.the.area.east.of.East.Bay.and.west.of.the.Mira.River.until.Morley.Road.from.Cape.Breton.West..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Cape Breton-Richmond.

46.. Sackville-Cobequid:.Loses.a.small.area.along.its.northwestern.edge.to.the.new.constituency.of.Sackville.

47.. Shelburne:.Loses.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Barrington.and.the.Town.of.Clark’s.Harbour.to.Argyle.(Argyle-Barrington)..Gains.Queens.County.plus.the.Maitland.Bridge.area.from.Digby-Annapolis..This.constituency.to.be.renamed.Queens-Shelburne.

48.. Timberlea-Prospect:.Loses.the.Stillwater.Lake.area.to.Hammonds.Plains-Upper.Sackville.(Hammonds Plains-Lucasville),.as.well.as.a.small.number.of.streets.in.the.Williamswood.and.Harrietsfield.area.to.Halifax.Atlantic..Gains.Susies.Lake.and.Quarrie.Lake.areas.from.Halifax-Clayton.Park.

49.. Truro-Bible Hill:.No.change.

50.. Victoria-The Lakes:.Gains.the.area.northwest.of.East.Bay.from.Cape.Breton.West,.and.the.area.west.of.Little.Bras.d’Or.from.Cape.Breton.North.

51.. Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank:.Loses.a.portion.of.the.Beaver.Bank.area.to.the.new.constituency.of.Sackville,.and.loses.the.Portobello.area.to.Dartmouth.East.

52.. Yarmouth:.No.change.


Proposed Constituency2012

Electors (1)

2012 Seat Entitlement

(2)

01 Annapolis 16,194 1.16

02 Antigonish 13,314 0.95

03 Argyle-Barrington 12,455 0.89

04 Bedford 17,371 1.25

05 Cape Breton Centre 12,632 0.91

06 Cape Breton-Richmond 10,494 0.75

07 Chester-St. Margaret’s 14,860 1.07

08 Clare-Digby 14,161 1.01

09 Clayton Park West 17,100 1.23

10 Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley 13,640 0.98

11 Colchester North 13,879 0.99

12 Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage 13,735 0.98

13 Cole Harbour-Portland Valley 16,813 1.21

14 Cumberland North 12,857 0.92

15 Cumberland South 11,389 0.82

16 Dartmouth East 13,788 0.99

17 Dartmouth North 15,512 1.11

18 Dartmouth-Preston 10,720 0.77

19 Dartmouth South 15,510 1.11

20 East Nova 10,555 0.76

21 Eastern Shore 11,765 0.84

22 Fairview-Clayton Park 17,380 1.25

23 Glace Bay 12,236 0.88

24 Halifax Armdale 11,505 0.82

25 Halifax Atlantic 13,518 0.97

26 Halifax Chebucto 16,381 1.17

27 Halifax Citadel-Sable Island 14,807 1.06

28 Halifax Needham 15,918 1.14

29 Hammonds Plains-Lucasville 10,702 0.77

30 Hants East 17,303 1.24

31 Hants West 14,650 1.05

32 Inverness 11,147 0.80

33 Kings North 15,096 1.08

34 Kings South 16,099 1.15

Table 2: Proposed Constituencies, with Electors and Seat Entitlements, 2012


Proposed Constituency2012

Electors (1)

2012 Seat Entitlement

(2)

35 Kings West 14,614 1.05

36 Lunenburg 13,720 0.98

37 Lunenburg West 15,419 1.11

38 Northside-Westmount 15,642 1.12

39 Pictou Centre 12,860 0.92

40 Pictou East 11,803 0.85

41 Pictou West 10,886 0.78

42 Queens-Shelburne 13,946 1.00

43 Sackville 12,099 0.87

44 Sackville-Cobequid 14,813 1.06

45 Sydney 16,984 1.22

46 Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg 14,744 1.06

47 Timberlea-Prospect 14,854 1.06

48 Truro-Bible Hill 15,656 1.12

49 Victoria-The Lakes 11,823 0.85

50 Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank 13,309 0.95

51 Yarmouth 12,900 0.92

Total 711,558 51.00

Average 13,952 1.00

(1).Electors.are.defined.as.Canadian.citizens.18.years.of.age.and.older,.based.on.2011.census.data.

(2).The.2011.seat.entitlements,.based.on.numbers.of.electors,.are.calculated.by.dividing.the.number.of.electors.in.each.constituency.by.the.provincial.average.of.electors.per.constituency,.based.on.51.seats..The.acceptable.range.of.electors.that.fall.within.the.±25.per.cent.of.the.provincial.average.of.electors.per.constituency.(711,558/51.=.13,952).is.a.minimum.of.10,464.to.a.maximum.of.17,440.


Table 3: Proposed Constituencies and Number of Electors, by Region

Annapolis Valley

Annapolis 16,194

Hants West 14,650

Kings North 15,096

Kings South 16,099

Kings West 14,614

Total 76,653

Cape Breton

Cape Breton Centre 12,632

Cape Breton-Richmond 10,494

Glace Bay 12,236

Inverness 11,147

Northside-Westmount 15,642

Sydney 16,984

Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg 14,744

Victoria-The Lakes 11,823

Total 105,702

Central Nova

Antigonish 13,314

East Nova 10,555

Pictou Centre 12,860

Pictou East 11,803

Pictou West 10,886

Total 59,418

Fundy Northeast

Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley 13,640

Colchester North 13,879

Cumberland North 12,857

Cumberland South 11,389

Hants East 17,303

Truro-Bible Hill 15,656

Total 84,724


Halifax Regional Municipality

Bedford 17,371

Clayton Park West 17,100

Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage 13,735

Cole Harbour-Portland Valley 16,813

Dartmouth East 13,788

Dartmouth North 15,512

Dartmouth-Preston 10,720

Dartmouth South 15,510

Eastern Shore 11,765

Fairview-Clayton Park 17,380

Halifax Armdale 11,505

Halifax Atlantic 13,518

Halifax Chebucto 16,381

Halifax Citadel-Sable Island 14,807

Halifax Needham 15,918

Hammonds Plains-Lucasville 10,702

Sackville 12,099

Sackville-Cobequid 14,813

Timberlea-Prospect 14,854

Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank 13,309

Total 287,600

South Shore

Chester-St. Margaret’s 14,860

Lunenburg 13,720

Lunenburg West 15,419

Total 43,999


Argyle-Barrington 12,455

Clare-Digby 14,161

Queens-Shelburne 13,946

Yarmouth 12,900

Total 53,462


Table 4: Existing and Proposed Seats, by Region

Region (1)

Counties included in each region

Number of electors per region

Existing percentage

of NS electors

Existing number of seats

Proposed number of seats

Existing percentage

of seats per region

Proposed percentage

of seats per region

Annapolis Valley

Hants (West) Kings

Annapolis76,653 10.77 5 5 9.62 9.80

Cape Breton

Cape Breton Victoria

Inverness Richmond

105,702 14.86 9 8 17.31 15.69

Central Nova

Pictou Antigonish

Guysborough59,418 8.35 5 5 9.62 9.80

Fundy Northeast

Hants (East) Colchester

Cumberland84,724 11.91 6 6 11.54 11.76


Halifax 287,600 40.42 18 20 34.62 39.22

South Shore Lunenburg 43,999 6.18 3 3 5.77 5.88


Digby Yarmouth Shelburne Queens

53,462 7.51 6 4 11.53 7.84

Total 711,558 100 52 51 100 100

(1).See.Table.3.for.a.list.of.constituencies.by.region.


Table 5: Existing and Proposed Average Seat Entitlement, by Region

Region (1)

Number of electors

in each region

Existing number of seats

Average number of electors per seat

Existing seat entitlement

(2)

Proposed number of seats

Revised number of electors per seat

Proposed seat

entitlement

(3)

Annapolis Valley 76,653 5 15,331 1.12 5 15,331 1.10

Cape Breton 105,702 9 11,745 0.86 8 13,213 0.95

Central Nova 59,418 5 11,884 0.87 5 11,884 0.85

Fundy Northeast 84,724 6 14,121 1.03 6 14,121 1.01


287,600 18 15,978 1.17 20 14,380 1.03

South Shore 43,999 3 14,666 1.07 3 14,666 1.05

Southwest Nova Scotia 53,462 6 8,910 0.65 4 13,366 0.96

Total 711,558 52 13,684 1.00 51 13,952 1.00

(1).See.Table.3.for.a.list.of.constituencies.by.region.

(2).Existing.seat.entitlement.per.region.is.obtained.by.dividing.the.regional.average.number.of.electors.per.seat.by.the.provincial.average.number.of.electors.per.seat,.based.on.52.seats.(711,558/52.=.13,684).

(3).Proposed.seat.entitlement.per.region.is.obtained.by.dividing.the.regional.revised.average.number.of.electors.per.seat.by.the.provincial.average.number.of.electors.per.seat,.based.on.51.seats.(711,558/51.=.13,952).


Maps

Annapolis Valley

Annapolis Valley Electoral Districts

01 Annapolis

31 Hants West

33 Kings North

34 Kings South

35 Kings West

*For.a.more.detailed.representation.of.the.2012.Proposed.Electoral.District.boundaries,.please.visit.http://nselectoralboundaries.ca/


Cape Breton

Cape Breton Electoral Districts

05 Cape Breton Centre

06 Cape Breton-Richmond

23 Glace Bay

32 Inverness

38 Northside-Westmount

45 Sydney

46 Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg

49 Victoria-The Lakes



Cape Breton Inset

Cape Breton Electoral Districts

05 Cape Breton Centre

06 Cape Breton-Richmond

23 Glace Bay

32 Inverness

38 Northside-Westmount

45 Sydney

46 Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg

49 Victoria-The Lakes



Central Nova

Central Nova Electoral Districts

02 Antigonish

20 East Nova

39 Pictou Centre

40 Pictou East

41 Pictou West



Fundy Northeast

Fundy Northeast Electoral Districts

10 Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley

11 Colchester North

14 Cumberland North

15 Cumberland South

30 Hants East

48 Truro-Bible Hill




HRM Electoral Districts HRM Electoral Districts

04 Bedford 24 Halifax Armdale09 Clayton Park West 25 Halifax Atlantic12 Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage 26 Halifax Chebucto13 Cole Harbour-Portland Valley 27 Halifax Citadel-Sable Island16 Dartmouth East 28 Halifax Needham17 Dartmouth North 29 Hammonds Plains-Lucasville18 Dartmouth-Preston 43 Sackville19 Dartmouth South 44 Sackville-Cobequid21 Eastern Shore 47 Timberlea-Prospect22 Fairview-Clayton Park 50 Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank



Halifax Regional Municipality Inset

HRM Electoral Districts HRM Electoral Districts

04 Bedford 24 Halifax Armdale09 Clayton Park West 25 Halifax Atlantic12 Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage 26 Halifax Chebucto13 Cole Harbour-Portland Valley 27 Halifax Citadel-Sable Island16 Dartmouth East 28 Halifax Needham17 Dartmouth North 29 Hammonds Plains-Lucasville18 Dartmouth-Preston 43 Sackville19 Dartmouth South 44 Sackville-Cobequid21 Eastern Shore 47 Timberlea-Prospect22 Fairview-Clayton Park 50 Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank



South Shore

South Shore Electoral Districts

07 Chester-St. Margaret’s

36 Lunenburg

37 Lunenburg West




Southwest Nova Scotia Electoral Districts

03 Argyle-Barrington

08 Clare-Digby

42 Queens-Shelburne

51 Yarmouth



In.the.course.of.fulfilling.its.mandate,.the.Commission.heard.about.and.experienced.situations.that.were.outside.the.direct.realm.of.setting.electoral.boundaries..Yet.some.circumstances.do.relate.to.the.process.of.enabling.fair.and.effective.representation.for.Nova.Scotia’s.electors..The.following.suggestions.are.presented.in.the.spirit.of.sharing.the.benefit.of.what.the.Commission.learned.

1. Guidelines for Commission appointees

The Commission is mindful that, once formally appointed, it is to function

independently of influence from government and the legislature. The Commission

is also aware that knowledge of basic operational guidelines would help members

to be confident that they are working within the normal expectations of a

publicly appointed body. It therefore suggests that, in future, an orientation

session take place at the outset of the Commission’s appointment. This should

include a handbook outlining routine operational requirements. The Select

Committee on Establishing an Electoral Boundaries Commission could be tasked

with these responsibilities.

2. Issues relating to fair representation of Acadian and African Nova Scotian populations

A shift in the practice of protecting selected ridings raises the prospect of considering

alternative ways of addressing the representation needs of special populations that

had previously been protected. In this Final Report, the Commission has presented a

somewhat limited proposal (see Electoral Redistribution in Nova Scotia: Key Issues

and Challenges, p. 14).

Problems and reasonable objections remain even with this more limited proposal.

Within the Commission, there was not full agreement about its merit. Since

special legislation would have to be passed to enact it (or any other proposal of a

similar nature), the Commission suggests that the House of Assembly take it under

advisement in order to air and debate the various issues more fully. The Commission

is also of the opinion that the Nova Scotia Legislature should establish a process

for consulting with key minority groups, in particular the Acadian and African

Nova Scotian communities, for the purpose of determining alternative means for

achieving fair and effective minority representation in the House of Assembly.

Other Recommendations


3. Electoral system reform

The Commission is aware that the serious consideration and recommendation

of alternative electoral systems is beyond its mandate. It is also cognizant that

the adoption of a new electoral system represents a dramatic change to one of

Nova Scotia’s key political institutions. It therefore suggests that the Nova Scotia

Legislature initiate a process involving both extensive critical examination and

public consultation on the current electoral system as well as possible alternatives

to it.

4. Modifying the public consultation process

The House of Assembly Act determines the method of engaging the public

through two rounds of public meetings, before and after preparing a

preliminary report. The Commission believes that the consultation process

would be strengthened by having a draft of proposed boundary changes made

public prior to the first round of public meetings. It therefore suggests that the

Nova Scotia Legislature modify the House of Assembly Act requiring a draft of

proposed boundary changes be made public by the Boundaries Commission

before the first round of public meetings, followed by a preliminary report

before the second round of public meetings.

5. Compensation in relation to large rural ridings

The Commission heard references to the difficulty of serving constituents in large

rural ridings. In particular, there is the matter of travel time and expense required

for many rural representatives to effectively represent their constituents, or for

their constituents to access their representatives. While it is a matter that can affect

voter participation, it is outside the Commission’s mandate to recommend a direct

solution. Instead, the Commission recommends that this issue be brought to the

attention of the House of Assembly Management Commission.


The.essential.work.of.Elections.Nova.Scotia.will.be.directly.and.immediately.affected.by.the.proposed.changes.to.the.province’s.electoral.districts..Given.this,.the.Commission.puts.forward.the.following.recommendations.on.behalf.of.Elections.Nova.Scotia.

1. The Commission recommends that Elections Nova Scotia begin revising, on

a without-prejudice basis, the provincial electoral boundaries as soon as the

Commission’s Final Report is tabled in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly.

2. The Commission recommends that Elections Nova Scotia be granted the authority

to make minor changes in the province’s electoral boundaries, for administrative

reasons only.

3. The Commission recommends that additional Returning Officers be authorized for

the large rural constituencies.

4. The Commission recommends a proclamation date of January 1, 2013, for the

amendment to the House of Assembly Act that would legislate the proposed changes

to the province’s electoral districts.*

*.Since.2002,.when.the.last.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.reported,.more-stringent.reporting.requirements.have.been.legislated.for.Nova.Scotia’s.registered.political.parties.and.electoral.districts..Annual.financial.reports.must.be.submitted.by.these.entities.to.Elections.Nova.Scotia.to.cover.all.activity.for.the.previous.year,.ending.December.31..Many.of.these.reports.are.required.to.have.costly.audits.that.must.be.borne.by.the.political.parties.and.Electoral.District.Associations.(EDAs).

Each.electoral.district.affected.by.the.proposed.boundary.changes.must.become.de-registered.and.close.its.bank.account,.transferring.funds.to.its.respective.party..The.new.electoral.districts.will.organize.founding.meetings,.open.bank.accounts,.register.with.Elections.Nova.Scotia,.and.receive.funds.from.the.pre-existing.districts.through.their.political.parties.

A.proclamation.date.other.than.January.1,.2013.will.result.in.doubling.the.reports.and.filings.prepared.for.the.affected.electoral.districts,.often.completed.by.volunteers.


Appendix A: Description of Proposed Electoral Boundaries

Please note: The following boundary descriptions are not designed to be official legal descriptions for the proposed electoral boundaries.

01.. Annapolis:.On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Annapolis/Kings.County.line,.running.from.the.coast.of.the.Bay.of.Fundy.south.to.the.Lunenburg.County.line..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.from.the.intersection.of.the.Annapolis/Kings/Lunenburg.County.lines.southwest.along.the.southern.boundary.of.the.Annapolis.County.line.until.it.intersects.with.the.Albany.New.community.boundary..It.follows.this.boundary.north.until.Mersey.Road..It.continues.north.until.the.end.of.this.road,.where.it.then.runs.west,.following.an.unidentified.brook.to.an.unidentified.lake..It.then.continues.west,.following.the.northern.boundaries.of.Northfield,.Maitland.Bridge,.and.Kejimkujik.National.Park.until.the.Annapolis/Digby.County.line..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Annapolis/Digby.County.line,.through.Bear.River.and.Digby.Gut..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Bay.of.Fundy.

02.. Antigonish:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Antigonish/Pictou.County.line..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Northumberland.Strait.until.Tracadie.Harbour..On.the.east,.from.Tracadie.Harbour,.the.boundary.runs.south,.following.the.Tracadie.River.until.the.Antigonish/Guysborough.County.line..From.this.point.the.boundary.runs.southwest,.following.the.county.line.until.it.intersects.the.Pictou.County.line.

03.. Argyle-Barrington:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.west,.from.the.Atlantic.Ocean,.the.boundary.follows.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Argyle.boundary.line..On.the.north.and.east,.it.continues.following.the.municipal.boundary.line.until.it.intersects.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Barrington.boundary.line..It.follows.the.eastern.boundary.of.this.municipal.boundary.south.until.the.Atlantic.Ocean.

04.. Bedford:.It.wraps.around.the.Bedford.Basin..On.the.south.it.runs.from.the.Bedford.Basin,.between.Shaunslieve.Drive.and.Lodge.Drive,.through.Hemlock.Ravine.Park.to.Highway.102..On.the.west,.it.follows.Highway.102.until.it.reaches.a.point.west.of.Paper.Mill.Lake..It.then.runs.west.until.it.intersects.Bluewater.Road,.where.it.turns.northwest,.and.runs.parallel.to.Kearney.Lake.Road.until.it.intersects.Hammonds.Plains.Road..From.this.point,.it.runs.northeast.parallel.to.Farmers.Dairy.Lane,.continues.along.the.outside.of.the.northwestern.shores.of.Sandy.Lake.and.Marsh.Lake.until.it.reaches.the.Sackville.River..It.then.follows.the.Sackville.River.east.to.Highway.101,.which.it.follows.southeast.to.Highway.102,.which.it.follows.northeast.until.it.reaches.Rocky.Lake..On.the.north,.it.cuts.through.Rocky.Lake.until.it.reaches.Rocky.Lake.Drive..On.the.east,.it.follows.Rocky.Lake.Drive.south,.wraps.around.Quarrystone.Drive.and.Fraggle.Rock.Road,.and.then.continues.along.Rocky.Lake.Drive.to.the.Bedford.Bypass.to.Windmill.Road.until.it.reaches.the.Dartmouth.North.district.boundary.

Appendices


05.. Cape Breton Centre:.It.is.bounded.on.the.west.by.Sydney.Harbour,.starting.at.the.point.where.the.South.Bar.and.Sydney.community.boundaries.intersect,.then.following.the.coastline.north.out.and.around.Low.Point.to.the.Glace.Bay.community.boundary.near.the.end.of.Davidson.Street..It.then.runs.from.the.coast,.south.to.the.west.of.Row.Street,.to.the.intersection.of.Phalen.Road.and.Reserve.Street,.and.then.southeast.to.Renwick.Brook..Heading.west,.it.follows.the.Sydney.International.Airport.property.line.southwest.to.a.point.south.of.the.Highway.4.and.Airport.Road.intersection,.runs.parallel.to.Highway.4.in.a.southwestern.direction.to.a.point.approximately.1200.metres.southeast.of.Highway.4.and.Garth.Wilson.Avenue,.where.it.turns.northwest.to.connect.with.Highway.4..It.runs.west.along.Highway.4.(Grand.Lake.Road).to.a.point.east.of.Reeves.Street,.where.it.turns.north.and.runs.approximately.2500.metres.until.the.Lingan.Road.community.boundary,.which.it.follows.north,.parallel.to.Dryden.Avenue.until.it.intersects.Lingan.Road..It.then.continues.running.north.for.approximately.600.metres.until.it.reconnects.with.the.Lingan.Road.community.boundary,.where.it.turns.west,.following.the.Lingan.Road.and.Sydney.community.boundaries,.parallel.to.Grant.Street.and.Birchwood.Lane.until.Sydney.Harbour.

06.. Cape Breton-Richmond:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.Bras.d’Or.Lake.and.East.Bay.until.it.reaches.the.point.where.Eskasoni.Road.and.Kings.Road.(Highway.4).intersect..It.follows.Kings.Road.(Highway.4).northeast,.then.turns.southeast.and.follows.Morley.Road.until.it.intersects.with.Grand.Mira.North.Road..From.this.point,.it.follows.the.Mira.River.south.until.it.reaches.the.Richmond.County.line..It.then.follows.this.county.boundary.southeast.until.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean,.Chedabucto.Bay.and.the.Strait.of.Canso....On.the.west,.from.the.Strait.of.Canso,.it.follows.the.northern.boundary.of.the.Town.of.Port.Hawkesbury,.around.the.community.boundary,.so.as.to.include.it,.until.it.reaches.the.Richmond.County.line,.where.it.follows.the.county.line.northeast.until.it.reaches.Bras.d’Or.Lake.

07.. Chester-St. Margaret’s:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Chester.boundary.line..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Lunenburg.County.line..On.the.east.it.follows.the.Lunenburg.County.line.south.until.it.intersects.with.the.Halifax.County.line,.which.it.follows.until.Pockwock.Lake..It.then.runs.south,.through.Wrights.Lake.and.follows.the.Upper.Tantallon.and.Head.of.St..Margaret’s.Bay.community.boundary,.continuing.south.until.Highway.103..It.then.follows.Highway.103.east.to.Hammonds.Plains.Road,.which.it.follows.south.until.St..Margaret’s.Bay.Road..From.this.point,.the.boundary.runs.southeast.in.a.straight.line.through.the.eastern.shore.of.Long.Lake,.through.Big.Five.Bridge.Lake,.Moores.Lake,.to.Upper.Pond,.which.it.runs.through.into.Shad.Bay,.which.it.follows.to.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean.

08.. Clare-Digby:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.south,.from.the.Atlantic.Ocean,.it.follows.the.Digby/Yarmouth.County.line.east.until.it.intersects.the.Shelburne.and.Queens.County.lines..It.then.follows.the.Digby/Queens.County.line.northeast.until.it.intersects.the.Annapolis.County.line..On.the.east,.it.follows.the.Digby/Annapolis.County.line.northwest,.through.Digby.Gut.and.into.the.Bay.of.Fundy.(Atlantic.Ocean).


09.. Clayton Park West:.On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Bedford.Basin..On.the.south,.from.the.Bedford.Basin,.the.boundary.runs.west,.parallel.to.Melody.Drive.and.Canary.Crescent..It.then.turns.south.and.west.and.runs.parallel.to.Chartwell.Lane.until.Lacewood.Drive..It.then.follows.Lacewood.Drive.west.until.Mainland.North.Linear.Parkway,.which.it.follows.south.until.a.point.just.west.of.Birkdale.Crescent..From.this.point,.it.turns.west.and.runs.west.along.the.outside.of.Regency.Park.Drive.and.Greenpark.Close.until.it.reaches.Highway.102..The.boundary.then.wraps.around.Bayers.Lake.Industrial.Park,.following.Highway.102.east.to.Highway.103.south,.until.a.point.south.of.Horseshoe.Lake.Drive..It.then.runs.north,.along.the.outside.of.Hobsons.Lake.Drive,.Horseshoe.Lake.Drive,.and.Chain.Lake.Drive.until.it.intersects.with.Highway.102..The.boundary.follows.Highway.102.north.until.a.point.east.of.Washmill.Lake,.where.it.turns.west.and.runs.along.the.northern.shores.of.Quarry.Lake.and.south.of.Ash.Lake.until.the.Timberlea.community.boundary..It.follows.this.community.boundary.north.and.east,.just.beyond.Ash.Lake,.where.it.turns.north.and.follows.an.unidentified.track.north.until.it.reaches.the.eastern.boundary.of.the.community.of.Hammonds.Plains..It.then.follows.this.community.boundary.around.Collins.Road.and.Belle.Street.until.it.reaches.Kearney.Lake.Road,.which.it.follows.south.until.it.reaches.the.northern.shore.of.Kearney.Lake,.which.it.follows.east.to.an.unidentified.stream.to.Highway.102..From.here,.the.boundary.runs.south.until.the.end.of.Kearney.Lake,.where.it.turns.east.and.runs.through.Hemlock.Ravine.Park,.between.Shaunslieve.Drive.and.Lodge.Drive.and.out.into.the.Bedford.Basin.

10.. Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley:.It.is.bounded.on.the.west.by.the.Colchester/Hants.County.line.running.through.the.Shubenacadie.River.until.it.intersects.Highway.102,.which.it.follows.south.until.it.intersects.Aerotech.Drive..From.this.point,.the.boundary.runs.southeast.until.it.reaches.an.unidentified.brook,.which.it.follows.south.through.Soldier.Lake..From.the.southern.point.of.Soldier.Lake,.the.boundary.turns.east.and.runs.through.the.Waverley.Salmon.River.Long.Lake.Wilderness.Area..The.boundary.runs.through.Three.Mile.Lake,.continues.east,.just.south.of.Lake.Williams.and.East.Lake.until.the.northern.tip.of.Porters.Lake..From.this.point,.it.runs.northeast.through.the.northern.shores.of.Burnt.Lake.and.Gibraltar.Lake,.intersecting.Highway.357,.continuing.northeast.along.the.northern.shores.of.Grand.Lake,.Ship.Harbour,.Long.Lake.and.Scraggy.Lake,.intersects.Mooseland.Road,.and.runs.in.between.Lower.Beaver.and.Middle.Beaver.Lakes.before.intersecting.Highway.224..From.this.point,.it.continues.northeast,.running.south.of.Como.Lake.and.Smith.Lake.before.intersecting.Highway.374.and.then.reaching.the.Halifax/Guysborough.County.line..Along.the.east,.it.follows.the.county.line.north.until.a.point.just.beyond.Highway.289..Along.the.north,.from.a.point.north.of.Highway.289,.the.boundary.line.runs.west.to.a.point.where.the.Greenfield,.Burnside,.and.Riversdale.community.boundaries.meet..From.this.point,.it.follows.the.Greenfield.community.boundary.north.and.west.until.it.reaches.Valley.Road,.which.it.follows.to.Salmon.River,.which.it.follows.west.until.a.point.south.of.Warren.Drive..The.boundary.then.turns.southeast.until.it.reaches.the.Truro.community.boundary..It.follows.this.boundary.south.and.west,.then.follows.the.Millbrook.27.Reserve.boundary.west.and.north.until.it.rejoins.the.Truro.community.boundary,.which.it.follows.into.Cobequid.Bay.to.the.Shubenacadie.River.


11.. Colchester North:.On.the.west,.from.the.Minas.Basin,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Colchester/Cumberland.County.line,.which.it.follows.east.and.north.into.Tatamagouche.Bay..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.Tatamagouche.Bay.(Northumberland.Strait)..On.the.east,.from.Tatamagouche.Bay,.the.boundary.follows.the.Pictou/Colchester.County.line.south.to.a.point.north.of.Highway.289..From.this.point,.the.boundary.line.runs.west.to.a.point.where.the.Greenfield,.Burnside,.and.Riversdale.community.boundaries.meet..From.this.point,.it.follows.the.Greenfield.community.boundary.north.and.west.until.it.reaches.Valley.Road,.which.it.follows.to.the.Salmon.River,.which.it.follows.west.until.a.point.south.of.the.Old.Court.House.Branch..From.this.point,.it.follows.the.Bible.Hill.community.boundary.north.and.west.until.it.reaches.the.Truro.community.boundary.(Salmon.River)..It.then.follows.the.river.west.into.Cobequid.Bay.(Minas.Basin).

12.. Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage:.On.the.west,.the.boundary.runs.from.Halifax.Harbour.along.Highway.111..It.then.runs.east,.parallel.to.the.south.of.Mount.Hope.Avenue.until.it.reaches.the.western.boundary.of.the.Shearwater.airport..It.runs.northeast,.along.the.outside.of.the.airport,.through.Morris.Lake.until.it.reaches.Caldwell.Road..It.follows.Caldwell.Road.north.to.Deerbrooke.Drive.to.Colby.Drive.until.Greenwich.Drive..It.then.runs.through.Bissett.Lake.until.it.reaches.Cole.Harbour.(body.of.water)..It.is.bounded.on.the.east.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean.and.on.the.south.by.Halifax.Harbour..This.district.includes.McNabs.Island.and.Lawlor.Island.

13.. Cole Harbour-Portland Valley:.On.the.west,.it.runs.through.Morris.Lake,.parallel.to.Diana.Grace.Avenue.until.it.reaches.Portland.Estates.Boulevard.West..It.then.follows.Eisner.Boulevard.to.Portland.Street.to.just.beyond.Regal.Road..It.then.turns.north.and.runs.through.Bell.Lake.to.Lucien.Drive..It.follows.Lucien.Drive.northwest.to.Mount.Edward.Road,.where.it.extends.to.Main.Street..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.Main.Street,.to.Highway.7..From.a.point.along.Highway.7,.the.boundary.runs.south,.parallel.to.Panavista.Drive,.wraps.around.the.north.of.Taranaki.Drive.to.Auburn.Drive.to.Bradorian.Drive.and.back.to.Auburn.Drive,.which.it.follows.south,.then.wraps.around.Sophia.Crescent.to.Roseway.Court.to.Gammon.Crescent.to.Tamara.Drive..It.then.runs.east,.parallel.to.Cassandra.Drive.between.Ritcey.Crescent.and.Old.Lawrencetown.Road.until.it.reaches.a.brook.that.it.follows.until.Cole.Harbour.Road.and.Cole.Harbour.(body.of.water).intersect..On.the.south,.it.follows.the.Cole.Harbour-Eastern.Passage.district.boundary,.through.Bissett.Lake.to.the.intersection.of.Greenwich.Drive.and.Colby.Drive..It.then.follows.Colby.Drive.to.Deerbrooke.Drive.to.Caldwell.Road.until.Astral.Drive,.and.then.runs.southwest.through.Morris.Lake.

14.. Cumberland North:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.Northumberland.Strait..On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Cumberland/Colchester.County.line.until.a.point.north.of.Mattatall.Lake..On.the.south,.from.the.county.line,.the.boundary.runs.west.until.it.reaches.Wallace.River,.which.it.follows.north.until.a.point.where.Fountain.Road.and.Hunter.Road.meet..From.here,.it.runs.southwest,.parallel.to.Highway.368,.Middleboro.Road,.and.Hansford.Road,.through.Big.Lake.to.Jersey.Road..The.boundary.line.follows.this.street.north.until.Hansford.Road,.extends.northeast.until.Thomson.Road,.then.turns.northwest.until.River.Philip..It.follows.River.Philip.north,.then.turns.northwest,.


parallel.to.Casey.Road.until.Beckwith.Road.to.Mount.Pleasant.Road,.which.it.follows.north.until.Lake.Killarney.Road,.where.it.turns.southwest,.intersects.through.Klondike.Road,.then.turns.northwest.until.Nappan.River..It.then.follows.Nappan.River.to.Maccan.River.to.River.Hebert,.which.it.follows.into.Chignecto.Bay..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Nova.Scotia–New.Brunswick.provincial.boundary.line.

15.. Cumberland South:.It.is.bounded.on.the.west.by.Chignecto.Bay.and.on.the.south.by.the.Minas.Channel.and.Minas.Basin.until.the.Colchester/Cumberland.County.line..It.follows.the.county.line.east.and.northeast.until.a.point.north.of.Mattatall.Lake..On.the.north,.from.the.county.line,.the.boundary.runs.west.until.it.reaches.Wallace.River,.which.it.follows.north.until.a.point.where.Fountain.Road.and.Hunter.Road.meet..From.here,.it.runs.southwest,.parallel.to.Highway.368,.Middleboro.Road,.and.Hansford.Road,.through.Big.Lake.to.Jersey.Road..The.boundary.line.follows.this.street.north.until.Hansford.Road,.extends.northeast.until.Thomson.Road,.then.turns.northwest.until.River.Philip..It.follows.River.Philip.north.until.Lake.Killarney.Road.where.it.turns.southwest,.intersects.through.Klondike.Road,.then.turns.northwest.until.Nappan.River..It.then.follows.Nappan.River.to.Maccan.River.to.River.Hebert,.which.it.follows.into.Chignecto.Bay.

16.. Dartmouth East:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.from.Highway.118,.running.south.of.Spider.Lake.to.Lake.Major..It.runs.through.Lake.Major.until.the.community.boundaries.of.Waverley.and.Montague.Gold.Mines.intersect..It.then.runs.southwest.for.approximately.3800.metres.until.it.reaches.the.Forest.Hills.Extension..It.follows.this.road.southeast.until.a.point.south.of.Lochmoor.Lane..From.this.point.it.turns.southwest.and.runs.along.the.outside.of.St..Claire.Avenue.and.Geovex.Court.until.it.reaches.Caledonia.Road,.which.it.follows.south.to.Main.Street..It.follows.Main.Street.east.until.it.turns.south.and.runs.along.Lucien.Drive.to.Bell.Lake,.which.it.runs.through,.extending.out.to.Portland.Street..The.southern.boundary.runs.from.Portland.Street.to.Highway.111..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Highway.111.to.Lake.Micmac,.through.Lake.Micmac,.through.the.Shubenacadie.Canal,.and.through.Lake.Charles.to.Highway.118.

17.. Dartmouth North:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Bedford.Basin.and.The.Narrows..On.the.north,.from.the.Bedford.Basin,.the.boundary.follows.Wright.Brook.until.where.it.intersects.the.rail.line..From.this.point,.it.follows.the.rail.line.north.to.a.point.northeast.of.Anderson.Lake..It.then.turns.east,.and.runs.parallel.to.the.Dartmouth.community.boundary.into.Lake.Charles..On.the.east,.the.boundary.runs.south.through.Lake.Charles,.the.Shubenacadie.Canal,.Lake.Micmac,.and.Lake.Banook,.extending.to.Hawthorne.Street..From.this.point,.it.follows.Hawthorne.Street.to.Crichton.Avenue.to.Crichton.Park.Road.to.Thistle.Street.to.Wyse.Road.to.the.Angus.L..Macdonald.Bridge.to.Halifax.Harbour.

18.. Dartmouth-Preston:.Along.the.north,.from.Three.Mile.Lake,.it.runs.east,.south.of.Lake.Williams.and.East.Lake,.until.it.reaches.the.northern.tip.of.Porters.Lake..On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.Porters.Lake.until.it.reaches.Grapevine.Lane..It.turns.left,.parallel.to.Grapevine.Lane,.until.the.northwestern.


point.of.Grand.Lake,.where.it.turns.south.and.runs.along.the.Porters.Lake.and.Minesville.community.boundary.until.north.of.Caribou.Lake..It.then.turns.west.and.then.south.along.the.outside.of.Goose.Lake..It.turns.west.until.it.intersects.with.Candy.Mountain.Road,.which.it.follows.until.the.northern.tip.of.Lawrencetown.Lake..From.this.point,.it.runs.west.through.Gammon.Lake.and.north,.parallel.to.Glenn.Drive.and.Shepherds.Lane.until.Highway.107..It.then.runs.west.along.Highway.107.to.a.point.south.of.Chater.Drive..From.here,.it.runs.south,.parallel.to.the.Lawrencetown.community.boundary.until.it.reaches.the.intersection.of.Cole.Harbour.Road.and.Ross.Road..From.this.point,.it.turns.northwest.and.runs.parallel.to.the.Westphal.community.boundary,.wrapping.around.Lawlor.Crescent.to.an.unidentified.brook..It.follows.this.brook.northwest.to.a.point.250.metres.northeast.of.Ritcey.Crescent,.then.turns.southwest,.running.between.Ritcey.Crescent.and.Old.Lawrencetown.Road.until.Tamara.Drive..It.then.follows.Tamara.Drive.to.Gammon.Crescent.to.Roseway.Court,.wraps.around.Sophia.Crescent.to.Auburn.Drive.to.Bradorian.Drive,.then.back.to.Auburn.Drive.to.Taranaki.Drive,.which.it.wraps.around.to.Highway.7..From.this.point,.it.runs.southwest.along.Highway.7.to.Main.Street.until.Caledonia.Road..On.the.west,.it.runs.along.Caledonia.Road.to.just.before.Geovex.Court,.where.it.turns.northeast,.running.along.the.outside.of.St..Claire.Avenue,.continuing.northeast.to.Forest.Hills.Extension..It.then.follows.this.road.northwest.to.a.point.south.of.Wilcot.Lane,.where.it.turns.northeast,.running.parallel.to.Burnhope.Drive.and.onto.Lake.Major..It.then.runs.north.through.Lake.Major,.East.Lake,.Long.Duck.Lake,.and.Three.Mile.Lake.

19.. Dartmouth South:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Halifax.Harbour..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Angus.L.Macdonald.Bridge.to.Wyse.Road.to.Thistle.Street.to.Crichton.Park.Road.to.Crichton.Avenue.to.Hawthorne.Street..It.then.runs.through.Lake.Banook.until.it.reaches.Highway.111..Along.the.east.it.is.bounded.by.Highway.111.to.Portland.Street.to.Eisner.Boulevard.to.Portland.Estates.Boulevard.West.through.Morris.Lake..Along.the.south.it.runs.along.the.outside.of.the.Shearwater.airport,.turns.northwest.and.runs.parallel.to.the.south.of.Mount.Hope.Avenue.to.Highway.111.to.Halifax.Harbour.

20.. East Nova:.On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Strait.of.Canso.and.Chedabucto.Bay..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.west,.from.Ship.Harbour.(Atlantic.Ocean),.the.boundary.runs.through.Newcombe.Lake.to.the.Tangier.Grand.Lake.Wilderness.Area.southern.boundary..It.follows.this.boundary.east.and.north.to.a.point.south.of.Bear.Lake..It.continues.north,.parallel.to.Mooseland.Road.until.the.northern.tip.of.Second.Rocky.Lake..It.then.turns.east,.and.runs.between.Lower.Beaver.and.Middle.Beaver.Lakes.before.intersecting.Highway.224..From.this.point.it.continues.northeast,.running.south.of.Como.Lake.and.Smith.Lake.before.intersecting.Highway.374.and.then.reaching.the.Halifax/Guysborough.County.line..It.then.follows.the.county.line.northwest.until.it.intersects.the.Pictou.County.line..On.the.north,.it.follows.the.Pictou/Antigonish.County.lines.until.the.Tracadie.River..The.boundary.then.turns.north,.and.follows.the.river.into.Tracadie.Harbour.

21.. Eastern Shore:.On.the.north,.from.the.northern.tip.of.Porters.Lake,.the.boundary.runs.northeast.through.the.northern.shores.of.Burnt.Lake.and.Gibraltar.Lake,.intersecting.Highway.357,.continuing.northeast.along.the.northern.shores.of.Grand.Lake,.Ship.Harbour.Long.Lake,.and.Scraggy.Lake.to.


the.northern.tip.of.Second.Rocky.Lake..On.the.east,.the.boundary.runs.south,.parallel.to.Mooseland.Drive.until.a.point.south.of.Bear.Lake..The.boundary.then.runs.south.and.west.along.the.outside.of.the.Tangier.Grand.Lake.Wilderness.Area.boundary.to.Newcombe.Lake.and.into.Ship.Harbour..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.west,.from.Cole.Harbour.(Atlantic.Ocean),.the.boundary.runs.north.and.east,.around.Lawlor.Crescent.and.Old.Miller.Road.to.a.point.where.Cole.Harbour.Road.turns.into.Lawrencetown.Road..From.this.point,.the.boundary.follows.the.Lawrencetown.community.boundary.to.a.point.west.of.Lawrencetown.Lake..The.boundary.runs.along.the.northern.boundary.of.Lawrencetown.Lake.to.a.point.west.of.Goose.Lake,.which.it.wraps.around.to.a.point.just.north.of.Caribou.Lake,.where.it.turns.north.and.runs.along.the.western.and.northern.shores.of.Grand.Lake,.and.into.Porters.Lake,.where.it.continues.north.until.its.starting.point.

22.. Fairview-Clayton Park:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.Bedford.Basin.(Halifax.Harbour)..On.the.west,.from.Bedford.Basin,.the.boundary.runs.west,.parallel.to.Melody.Drive.and.Canary.Crescent..It.then.turns.south.and.west.and.runs.parallel.to.Chartwell.Lane.until.Lacewood.Drive..It.then.follows.Lacewood.Drive.west.until.Mainland.North.Linear.Parkway,.which.it.follows.south.until.a.point.just.west.of.Birkdale.Crescent..From.this.point,.it.turns.west.and.runs.along.the.outside.of.Regency.Park.Drive.and.Greenpark.Close.until.it.reaches.Highway.102..On.the.south,.it.then.follows.Highway.102.east.to.Bayers.Road.until.Connaught.Avenue..On.the.east,.it.follows.Connaught.Avenue.to.Windsor.Street.to.the.Bedford.Highway.until.it.intersects.the.rail.line,.which.it.follows.to.a.point.just.north.of.the.Joseph.Howe.Drive.exit,.and.then.extends.into.Bedford.Basin.

23.. Glace Bay:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.Big.Glace.Bay..On.the.south,.from.Big.Glace.Bay.the.boundary.runs.west.along.the.Donkin.Morien.Highway.to.Brookside.Street..From.this.point,.the.boundary.follows.the.Glace.Bay.community.boundary.west.and.north,.back.to.the.Atlantic.Ocean.

24.. Halifax Armdale:.On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.Northwest.Arm.through.the.Armdale.Rotary.to.Chebucto.Road,.then.follows.the.railroad.tracks.until.the.end.of.Pennington.Street..On.the.north,.it.follows.Highway.102.until.it.intersects.Highway.103,.which.it.follows.south.to.a.point.north.of.Grassy.Lake.Drive..The.boundary.then.turns.east.to.a.point.just.beyond.Prospect.Road,.then.turns.south.and.east.as.it.runs.through.Long.Lake.to.the.Northwest.Arm.Drive.and.Old.Sambro.Road.intersection..On.the.south,.it.runs.northwest.along.Northwest.Arm.Drive.to.a.point.just.beyond.Penny.Avenue..It.then.turns.northeast.and.runs.along.the.outside.of.Trelyn.Road,.Hillary.Street,.and.Mont.Street.to.Punch.Bowl.Drive..It.follows.Punch.Bowl.Drive.to.Herring.Cove.Road.to.McMullen.Road,.around.Circle.Drive.to.Seaview.Avenue.to.Aurora.Avenue,.along.the.outside.of.Joyce.Avenue.and.Raithpark.Lane.to.a.point.west.of.Ballantrae.Lane..The.boundary.then.runs.along.the.outside.of.Ballantrae.Lane.and.Forward.Avenue.to.Purcells.Cove.Road..It.follows.Purcells.Cove.Road.northwest.until.a.point.west.of.Frog.Pond,.where.it.turns.northeast,.runs.through.Frog.Pond,.parallel.to.Parkhill.Road.and.Dingle.Road.and.out.to.the.Northwest.Arm.


25.. Halifax Atlantic:.On.the.north,.it.runs.through.Long.Lake.to.the.Northwest.Arm.Drive.and.Old.Sambro.Road.intersection..It.then.runs.northwest.along.Northwest.Arm.Drive.to.a.point.just.beyond.Penny.Avenue..It.then.turns.northeast.and.runs.along.the.outside.of.Trelyn.Road,.Hillary.Street,.and.Mont.Street.to.Punch.Bowl.Drive..It.follows.Punch.Bowl.Drive.to.Herring.Cove.Road.to.McMullen.Road,.around.Circle.Drive.to.Seaview.Avenue.to.Aurora.Avenue,.along.the.outside.of.Joyce.Avenue.and.Raithpark.Lane.to.a.point.west.of.Ballantrae.Lane..The.boundary.then.runs.along.the.outside.of.Ballantrae.Lane.and.Forward.Avenue.to.Purcells.Cove.Road..It.follows.Purcells.Cove.Road.northwest.until.a.point.west.of.Frog.Pond,.where.it.turns.northeast,.runs.through.Frog.Pond,.parallel.to.Parkhill.Road.and.Dingle.Road.and.out.to.the.Northwest.Arm..On.the.east.and.south.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.west,.from.the.Atlantic.Ocean.it.runs.from.the.western.edge.of.West.Pennant.to.the.east.shore.of.Ragged.Lake,.through.The.Two.Lakes,.through.Moody.Lake,.then.follows.a.river.along.the.north.shore.of.Run.Lake,.through.Sheas.Lake,.through.Spruce.Hill.Lake,.and.through.Long.Lake.Provincial.Park.until.the.western.shore.of.Long.Lake.

26.. Halifax Chebucto:.On.the.south,.from.the.Northwest.Arm.it.follows.Coburg.Road.to.Robie.Street..On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.Robie.Street.until.it.intersects.Young.Street..On.the.north,.it.follows.Young.Street.to.Windsor.Street.to.Bayers.Road.to.the.railroad.tracks..In.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.railroad.tracks.to.Chebucto.Road.through.the.Armdale.Rotary.to.the.Northwest.Arm.

27.. Halifax Citadel-Sable Island:.On.the.east.and.south,.it.is.bounded.by.Halifax.Harbour..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Northwest.Arm..On.the.north,.from.the.Northwest.Arm.it.follows.Coburg.Road.to.Robie.Street.to.Cogswell.Street.to.Rainnie.Drive.to.Duke.Street,.and.extends.into.Halifax.Harbour..This.district.also.includes.Georges.Island.and.Sable.Island.

28.. Halifax Needham:.It.is.bounded.along.the.north.and.east.by.Halifax.Harbour..On.the.south,.it.follows.Duke.Street.from.the.Narrows.to.Rainnie.Drive.to.Cogswell.Street.to.Robie.Street..In.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Robie.Street.to.Young.Street.to.Bayers.Road.to.Connaught.Avenue..It.then.follows.Connaught.Avenue.north.to.Windsor.Street.to.the.Bedford.Highway.to.the.rail.line,.and.extends.out.into.Bedford.Basin.(Halifax.Harbour).

29.. Hammonds Plains-Lucasville:.On.the.west,.it.runs.south.from.Pockwock.Lake,.through.Wrights.Lake,.and.follows.the.Upper.Tantallon.and.Head.of.St..Margaret’s.Bay.community.boundary,.continuing.south.until.Highway.103..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.Highway.103.until.a.point.south.of.Telford.Lane..From.this.point,.the.boundary.runs.north.for.approximately.1500.metres.and.then.turns.right.through.Maple.Lake,.slightly.north.of.Frasers.Lake,.to.a.point.before.the.southwest.shore.of.Ash.Lake..On.the.east,.it.follows.the.Timberlea.community.boundary.north.and.east,.just.beyond.Ash.Lake,.where.it.turns.north.and.follows.an.unidentified.track.north.until.it.reaches.the.eastern.boundary.of.the.community.of.Hammonds.Plains..It.then.follows.this.community.boundary.around.Collins.Road.and.Belle.Street.until.it.reaches.Kearney.Lake.Road,.which.it.follows.south.until.it.reaches.the.northern.shore.of.Kearney.Lake,.which.it.follows.east.to.an.unidentified.stream.to.Highway.102..It.


then.turns.north.and.follows.Highway.102.until.it.reaches.a.point.west.of.Paper.Mill.Lake..It.then.runs.west.until.it.intersects.Bluewater.Road,.where.it.turns.northwest.and.runs.parallel.to.Kearney.Lake.Road.until.it.intersects.Hammonds.Plains.Road..From.this.point,.it.runs.northeast,.parallel.to.Farmers.Dairy.Lane,.then.continues.along.the.outside.of.the.northwestern.shores.of.Sandy.Lake.and.Marsh.Lake.until.it.reaches.the.Sackville.River..It.then.follows.the.Sackville.River.west.and.north.until.Highway.101,.which.it.follows.northwest.until.a.point.before.the.Mount.Uniacke.connector..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Hants/Halifax.County.line.through.Pockwock.Lake.

30.. Hants East:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Bay.of.Fundy..On.the.east.and.south.it.is.bounded.by.the.Hants.County.line..On.the.west.it.is.bounded.by.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.East.Hants.municipal.line.

31.. Hants West:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Bay.of.Fundy..On.the.east,.south,.and.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.West.Hants.municipal.line.

32. Inverness:.It.is.entirely.bounded.by.the.Inverness.County.line.until.it.reaches.the.Town.of.Port.Hawkesbury.community.boundary,.which.it.follows.around.the.town.until.it.again.reaches.the.Inverness.County.line.

33.. Kings North:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Bay.of.Fundy.and.on.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Minas.Basin.(Bay.of.Fundy)..On.the.south,.from.the.Minas.Basin,.the.boundary.runs.west.following.the.Cornwallis.River.to.the.Town.of.Kentville.municipal.boundary,.which.it.follows.south.and.west,.so.as.to.include.the.Town.of.Kentville..The.boundary.then.continues.west,.following.the.Cornwallis.River.to.Highway.101,.which.it.follows.until.Black.Rock.Road..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Black.Rock.Road.

34.. Kings South:.On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Minas.Basin.(Bay.of.Fundy).and.the.Avon.River..On.the.north,.from.the.Minas.Basin,.the.boundary.runs.west.following.the.Cornwallis.River.to.the.Town.of.Kentville.municipal.boundary,.which.it.follows.south.and.west,.so.as.not.to.include.the.Town.of.Kentville.within.the.district.boundaries..The.boundary.then.continues.west,.following.the.Cornwallis.River.to.Highway.101.until.a.point.west.of.Ratchford.Road..On.the.west,.the.boundary.runs.south,.parallel.to.Smith.Avenue,.Miller.Lane,.and.Joudrey.Mountain.Road.until.it.reaches.Randolph.Road..It.then.follows.Sharpe.Brook.south.to.Little.Brown.Road..From.this.point,.it.continues.south.for.approximately.5500.metres.until.North.River.Road,.where.it.continues.south.between.Aylesford.Lake.and.Gaspereau.Lake,.where.it.turns.southeast.to.the.Kings/Lunenburg.County.Line..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Kings.County.line.

35.. Kings West:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Bay.of.Fundy..On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.Black.Rock.Road,.east.to.Highway.101.to.a.point.west.of.Ratchford.Road..From.this.point,.the.boundary.runs.south,.parallel.to.Smith.Avenue,.Miller.Lane,.and.Joudrey.Mountain.Road.until.it.reaches.Randolph.Road..It.then.follows.Sharpe.Brook.south.to.Little.Brown.Road..From.this.point,.it.


continues.south.for.approximately.5500.metres.until.North.River.Road,.where.it.continues.south.between.Aylesford.Lake.and.Gaspereau.Lake,.where.it.turns.southeast.to.the.Kings/Lunenburg.County.line..On.the.south.and.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Kings.County.line.

36.. Lunenburg:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Lunenburg.County.line..On.the.west,.from.a.point.just.west.of.Highway.10,.it.follows.the.rail.line.southeast.to.New.Germany.Lake,.then.west.of.LaHave.River.until.the.intersection.of.Osborne.Road.and.Veinot.Road..It.then.follows.the.LaHave.River.and.does.not.include.the.Town.of.Bridgewater,.following.the.eastern.town.boundary.back.to.the.river.and.following.the.west.shore.of.the.river.to.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean,.and.on.the.east.it.is.bounded.by.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Lunenburg.eastern.boundary.

37.. Lunenburg West:.It.is.bounded.on.the.north.by.the.Annapolis/Lunenburg.County.line,.starting.at.the.intersection.of.the.Annapolis/Lunenburg/Queens.County.line.and.running.northeast.to.the.rail.line..It.follows.the.rail.line.southeast.to.New.Germany.Lake,.then.west.of.LaHave.River.until.the.intersection.of.Osborne.Road.and.Veinot.Road..It.then.follows.the.LaHave.River.and.includes.the.Town.of.Bridgewater,.following.the.eastern.town.boundary.back.to.the.river.and.following.the.west.shore.of.the.river.to.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Lunenburg/.Queens.County.line.

38.. Northside-Westmount:.The.northern.boundary.starts.at.Alder.Point.and.follows.the.coastline.east.into.Sydney.Harbour.until.it.intersects.with.Highway.125..It.then.follows.Highway.125.northwest.until.it.intersects.with.Highway.105..It.follows.Highway.105.west.until.it.reaches.Little.Bras.d’Or,.then.turns.north.along.the.coast.to.Alder.Point.

39.. Pictou Centre:.On.the.north,.from.the.East.River.of.Pictou,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Town.of.Trenton.municipal.boundary..On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Town.of.Trenton.and.The.Town.of.New.Glasgow.municipal.boundaries.until.the.East.River.of.Pictou..From.this.point,.the.boundary.follows.the.Town.of.Stellarton.municipal.boundary.south..On.the.south.and.west,.it.continues.following.the.Town.of.Stellarton’s.municipal.boundary.until.it.intersects.with.the.Town.of.New.Glasgow’s.municipal.boundary.once.again..It.continues.following.this.boundary.north.until.it.reaches.the.East.River.of.Pictou,.where.it.again.follows.the.Town.of.Trenton’s.municipal.boundary.north.until.the.mouth.of.the.East.River.of.Pictou.

40.. Pictou East:.On.the.west,.from.just.north.of.where.the.Halifax.County.boundary.intersects.the.Pictou/Colchester.County.boundary,.the.boundary.runs.northeast.for.approximately.13.kilometres.to.a.point.where.Glengarry.Road.intersects.with.the.Glengarry.Station–Lorne.community.boundary..From.this.point,.it.runs.north.following.White.Hill.Road.until.it.intersects.with.Marshdale.Road..The.boundary.then.turns.northeast.and.runs.for.approximately.2800.metres.until.it.reaches.Halliday.Road,.which.it.follows.to.Foxbrook.Road.until.the.Town.of.Westville.municipal.boundary..From.this.


point,.it.wraps.around.the.Town.of.Westville,.so.as.to.include.it..It.follows.the.Town.of.Westville.boundary.until.it.intersects.the.southern.border.of.The.Town.of.Stellarton.municipal.boundary..It.follows.this.boundary.east.and.north.to.The.Town.of.New.Glasgow.municipal.boundary,.which.it.follows.east.and.north.to.the.Town.of.Trenton.municipal.boundary,.which.it.follows.north.and.west.to.the.East.River.of.Pictou.and.into.Northumberland.Strait..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.Northumberland.Strait..On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Pictou/Antigonish.County.line,.and.on.the.south.it.is.bounded.by.the.Pictou/Guysborough.County.line.

41.. Pictou West:.It.is.bounded.on.the.north.by.Northumberland.Strait.from.the.Colchester/.Pictou.County.lines.to.the.mouth.of.Pictou.Harbour..It.is.bounded.on.the.west.by.the.Colchester/Pictou.County.line,.running.from.the.shoreline.of.Northumberland.Strait.south.to.a.point.along.the.Colchester/Pictou.County.line,.just.north.of.the.Halifax.County.line..On.the.east,.it.runs.northeast.for.approximately.13.kilometres.to.a.point.where.Glengarry.Road.intersects.with.the.Glengarry.Station–Lorne.community.boundary..From.this.point,.it.runs.north.following.White.Hill.Road.until.it.intersects.with.Marshdale.Road..The.boundary.then.turns.northeast,.and.runs.for.approximately.2800.metres.until.it.reaches.Halliday.Road,.which.it.follows.to.Foxbrook.Road.until.the.Town.of.Westville.municipal.boundary..From.this.point,.it.wraps.around.the.municipal.boundary,.not.including.the.Town.of.Westville.within.its.boundaries..It.follows.the.Town.of.Westville’s.north.border.to.The.Town.of.Stellarton.municipal.boundary.to.the.western.borders.of.The.Town.of.New.Glasgow.and.the.Town.of.Trenton,.which.run.into.the.East.River.of.Pictou.and.onto.Northumberland.Strait.

42.. Queens-Shelburne:.It.is.bounded.on.the.south.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Queens/Lunenburg.County.line..On.the.north,.it.follows.the.Queens/Annapolis.County.line.west.until.it.intersects.with.the.Albany.New.community.boundary..It.follows.this.boundary.north.until.Mersey.Road..It.continues.north.until.the.end.of.this.road,.then.runs.west,.following.an.unidentified.brook.to.an.unidentified.lake..It.then.continues.west,.following.the.northern.boundaries.of.Northfield,.Maitland.Bridge.and.Kejimkujik.National.Park.until.the.Annapolis/Digby.County.line,.which.it.follows.south.to.the.northern.boundary.of.the.Queens.County.line..From.this.point,.it.turns.west.following.the.northern.boundaries.of.Queens.County.and.Shelburne.County.until.it.intersects.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Barrington.municipal.line..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.eastern.boundary.of.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Barrington.

43.. Sackville:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Highway.101..On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Halifax/Hants.County.line..On.the.east,.it.follows.the.rail.line.southeast.until.a.point.west.of.Sidhu.Drive..From.this.point,.the.boundary.turns.east.to.Beaver.Bank.Road,.which.it.follows.to.Galloway.Drive,.where.it.follows.an.unidentified.brook.to.Box.Mill.Brook.to.the.point.where.the.Beaver.Bank.and.Windsor.Junction.community.boundaries.intersect..From.this.point,.the.boundary.runs.south.and.west,.following.the.Beaver.Bank.community.boundary.until.it.reaches.Millwood.Drive..From.this.point,.it.follows.Beaver.Bank.Road.south.to.Highway.101.


44.. Sackville-Cobequid:.On.the.east,.it.is.bounded.by.Highway.102.until.it.intersects.Highway.101..On.the.south,.it.is.bounded.by.Highway.101.to.the.Sackville.River.to.Beaver.Bank.Road..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Beaver.Bank.Road.to.Millwood.Drive,.where.it.continues.north.following.the.Sackville.community.boundary..Along.the.north,.it.follows.the.Sackville.community.boundary.east,.and.south.intersecting.Cobequid.Road,.running.along.Lakeview.Road.to.Highway.102...

45.. Sydney:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Sydney.Harbour..On.the.north,.from.Sydney.Harbour,.the.boundary.follows.the.Sydney.community.boundary,.running.between.Grant.Street.and.Birchwood.Lane,.parallel.to.MacLeods.Hill.until.the.Lingan.Road.community.boundary..It.continues.east.along.the.community.boundary.for.approximately.500.metres.and.then.turns.south,.where.it.reconnects.with.the.Lingan.Road.community.boundary,.running.parallel.to.Dryden.Avenue..It.continues.following.the.community.boundary.south.until.a.point.south.of.Military.Road,.at.which.it.turns.south.and.runs.for.approximately.2300.metres,.intersecting.the.Sydney.Port.Access.Road,.until.Grand.Lake.Road..It.then.follows.Grand.Lake.Road.west.to.Reeves.Street,.where.it.runs.south.along.Reeves.Street.to.Upper.Prince.Street,.southwest.along.Upper.Prince.Street.just.past.the.intersection.with.Centennial.Drive,.where.it.turns.south.and.southeast,.connecting.to.Highway.125.at.a.point.south.of.Cossitt.Heights.Drive..It.follows.Highway.125.south.to.exit.8,.turns.northwest.and.follows.the.Sydney.community.boundary.to.the.Membertou.community.boundary.to.the.southwestern.point.where.the.Sydney.and.Membertou.community.boundaries.intersect..Heading.northwest,.it.follows.the.southern.extent.of.the.Sydney.community.boundary.to.the.shoreline.of.Sydney.Harbour.

46.. Sydney River-Mira-Louisbourg:.On.the.south,.from.the.Atlantic.Ocean,.it.follows.the.Richmond/Cape.Breton.County.line.northwest.until.the.Mira.River..It.follows.the.Mira.River.north.until.it.reaches.Morley.Road,.which.it.follows.to.Kings.Road.(Highway.4).to.Eskasoni.Road..It.turns.northwest.and.follows.the.Portage.community.boundary.to.the.Blacketts.Lake.community.boundary,.turning.northwest.for.approximately.700.metres..It.then.turns.northeast.and.intersects.Coxheath.Road.north.of.where.Portage.Brook.merges.with.the.Sydney.River..The.boundary.turns.north.and.runs.to.the.intersection.of.Highway.125.and.Frenchvale.Road,.then.follows.Highway.125.northeast.to.Sydney.River,.where.it.turns.north.and.follows.the.shoreline.to.the.Sydney.community.boundary..It.follows.the.Sydney.community.boundary.east.to.the.Membertou.community.boundary,.then.northwest.along.the.Membertou.community.boundary.and.back.to.the.Sydney.community.boundary..It.follows.the.Sydney.community.boundary.to.exit.8.of.Highway.125,.then.follows.Highway.125.to.a.point.south.of.Cossitt.Heights.Drive,.where.it.turns.northwest.and.north.to.Prince.Street.near.the.intersection.with.Centennial.Drive..Following.Prince.Street.to.Reeves.Street,.it.runs.north.to.Grand.Lake.Road,.where.it.follows.Grand.Lake.Road.to.the.intersection.of.Highway.125.and.Highway.4..Heading.northeast.on.Highway.4.to.a.point.just.past.Garth.Wilson.Avenue,.it.turns.southeast.for.approximately.1200.metres,.then.turns.northeast,.running.parallel.to.Highway.4.until.the.property.line.of.the.Sydney.International.Airport..Following.the.airport.property.to.the.northeastern.boundary,.it.runs.east.and.connects.to.the.Glace.Bay.community.boundary,.where.it.then.follows.the.boundary.to.the.intersection.of.Birch.Grove.Road.and.Highway.255..It.then.


follows.Highway.255.to.the.shoreline.of.Big.Glace.Bay..It.is.bounded.on.the.north.and.east.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean.

47.. Timberlea-Prospect:.On.the.east,.from.the.Atlantic.Ocean,.it.runs.from.the.western.edge.of.West.Pennant.to.the.east.shore.of.Ragged.Lake,.through.The.Two.Lakes,.through.Moody.Lake,.follows.a.river.along.the.north.shore.of.Run.Lake,.goes.through.Sheas.Lake,.through.Spruce.Hill.Lake,.and.through.Long.Lake.Provincial.Park.along.the.western.shore.of.Long.Lake.to.St.Margaret’s.Bay.Road..From.this.point,.it.turns.northwest.to.Highway.103.and.wraps.around.Bayers.Lake.Industrial.Park.to.a.point.just.north.of.where.Highway.102.and.Chain.Lake.Drive.intersect..It.then.follows.Highway.102.north.to.a.point.east.of.Washmill.Lake..On.the.north,.it.runs.west.from.Highway.102.through.Washmill.Lake,.south.of.Ash.Lake,.slightly.north.of.Frasers.Lake,.and.through.Maple.Lake.to.a.point.northeast.of.Sussex.Drive,.where.it.turns.south.to.Highway.103..It.then.follows.Highway.103.west.until.it.intersects.Hammonds.Plains.Road..On.the.west,.it.follows.Hammonds.Plains.Road.south.until.St..Margaret’s.Bay.Road..From.this.point,.the.boundary.runs.southeast.in.a.straight.line.through.the.eastern.shore.of.Long.Lake,.through.Big.Five.Bridge.Lake,.and.Moores.Lake.to.Upper.Pond,.through.which.it.runs.into.Shad.Bay,.which.it.follows.to.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.south.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean.

48.. Truro-Bible Hill:.On.the.north,.from.the.mouth.of.the.Cobequid.Bay,.it.runs.east.following.the.Salmon.River.and.the.northern.Truro.community.boundary.to.the.Bible.Hill.community.boundary,.which.it.follows.east,.south,.and.west.to.a.point.just.south.of.Warren.Drive..From.this.point,.it.runs.southeast.for.approximately.2300.metres.until.it.reaches.the.intersection.of.the.community.boundaries.for.Truro,.Salmon.River,.and.Murray.Siding..It.continues.following.the.Truro.community.boundary.south.and.west.until.it.reaches.the.Millbrook.27.Reserve..It.follows.this.boundary.west.and.north.until.it.reconnects.with.the.Truro.community.boundary,.which.it.follows.north.into.Cobequid.Bay.

49.. Victoria-The Lakes:.It.is.bounded.on.the.west.by.the.Inverness/Victoria.County.line,.starting.in.the.south.at.Little.Narrows.on.the.Bras.d’Or.Lakes.and.heading.north.to.Meat.Cove..It.is.bounded.on.the.north.from.Meat.Cove.and.follows.the.shoreline.southeast.to.the.mouth.of.St..Andrew’s.Channel.at.Point.Aconi..The.boundary.then.heads.south,.following.the.west.side.of.St..Andrew’s.Channel.to.where.it.intersects.with.Highway.105,.then.follows.Highway.105.east.to.Highway.125..It.follows.Highway.125.to.where.it.intersects.with.Frenchvale.Road,.turning.south.and.running.to.a.point.on.Coxheath.Road.north.of.where.Portage.Brook.merges.with.Sydney.River..The.boundary.then.turns.southwest.to.a.point.on.the.Blacketts.Lake.community.boundary.approximately.700.metres.northwest.of.the.boundary.between.Gillis.Lake.and.Blacketts.Lake.communities,.turning.southeast.to.the.Portage.community.line..It.follows.the.Portage.community.line.southwest.to.the.intersection.of.Highway.4.and.Highway.216,.then.follows.the.shoreline.of.the.Bras.d’Or.Lake.south.and.west.to.where.the.Inverness/Victoria.County.line.intersects.with.the.lake.shoreline.near.Little.Narrows.


50.. Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank:.On.the.north,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Hants/Halifax.County.line..On.the.east,.it.follows.Highway.102.south.until.it.intersects.Aerotech.Drive..From.this.point,.the.boundary.runs.southeast.until.it.reaches.an.unidentified.brook,.which.it.follows.south.through.Soldier.Lake..It.then.turns.east.at.the.southern.point.of.Soldier.Lake.and.runs.along.the.northern.borders.of.the.communities.of.Waverley.and.Preston.to.Three.Mile.Lake..On.the.east,.the.boundary.runs.south.through.Three.Mile.Lake,.Long.Duck.Lake,.and.East.Lake,.where.it.turns.west.and.runs.through.Lake.Major,.parallel.to.Willowhill.Ridge,.to.Highway.118..It.follows.Highway.118.south.to.a.point.west.of.Lake.Charles,.where.it.runs.west.for.approximately.2000.metres,.until.it.reaches.the.rail.line.northeast.of.Anderson.Lake..It.then.follows.the.rail.line.south.to.Windmill.Road..On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.Windmill.Road.to.the.Bedford.Bypass.to.the.railroad.to.Rocky.Lake.Drive,.around.Quarrystone.Drive.and.back.to.Rocky.Lake.Drive,.and.through.Rocky.Lake.until.Highway.102..From.this.point.it.follows.Highway.102.northeast.to.Lakeview.Road.to.Cobequid.Road.to.a.point.west.of.the.railroad..It.then.runs.northwest,.parallel.to.the.rail.line,.turns.west.through.Second.Lake,.turns.northeast,.parallel.to.Capilano.Drive.and.Briancrest.Road,.to.Box.Mill.Brook,.which.it.follows.west.to.an.unidentified.brook,.which.runs.west.parallel.to.Galloway.Drive.to.Beaver.Bank.Road..It.then.turns.south,.and.follows.Beaver.Bank.Road.until.it.reaches.Sidhu.Drive..From.this.point,.it.turns.west.and.runs.approximately.1000.metres.west.to.the.rail.line..From.this.point.it.follows.the.rail.line.northwest.to.the.Hants/Halifax.County.line.

51.. Yarmouth:.On.the.west,.it.is.bounded.by.the.Atlantic.Ocean..On.the.north,.from.the.Atlantic.Ocean,.the.boundary.follows.the.Yarmouth/Digby.County.line.until.it.intersects.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Argyle.municipal.line..On.the.east,.from.this.point,.it.runs.southwest,.following.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Yarmouth.and.the.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Argyle.municipal.line.to.the.Atlantic.Ocean.


Appendix B: Public Meetings Schedule (first round)

Lower.Sackville:. Thursday,.March.15,.7–9.p.m..Location:.Sackville.Fire.Hall,.1.Metropolitan.Ave

Dartmouth:. Friday,.March.16,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Cole.Harbour.Place,.51.Forest.Hills.Parkway

Halifax:. Saturday,.March.17,.1–3.p.m..Location:.Quality.Inn.and.Suites,.980.Parkland.Drive

Cherry.Brook:.. Saturday,.March.17,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Black.Cultural.Centre,.10.Cherry.Brook.Road

Middleton:.. Saturday,.March.24,.1–3.p.m..Location:.Nova.Scotia.Community.College,.Annapolis.Valley.Campus,.295.Commercial.St

Amherst:. Saturday,.March.31,.1–3.p.m.. .Location:.Wandlyn.Inn,.Highway.104,.Exit.3

Stellarton:. Saturday,.March.31,.7–9.p.m..Location:.Holiday.Inn.Express,.86.Lawrence.Blvd

Halifax:.. Thursday,.April.12,.7-9.p.m..Location:.Old.Ashburn.Golf.Club

Louisdale:.. Friday,.April.13,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Louisdale.&.District.Fire.Hall,.Grand.Anse

Sydney:.. Saturday,.April.14,.1–3.p.m..Location:.Membertou.Trade.and.Convention.Centre,.50.Maillard.St

Baddeck:.. Saturday,.April.14,.6–.8.p.m...Location:.Inverary.Resort,.368.Shore.Road.

Tusket:. Thursday,.April.19,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Salle.Père-Maurice-LeBlanc.in.Centre.communautaire.de.Par-en-Bas.,.4258,.Route.308

Church.Point/Pointe.de.l’Église:.. Friday,.April.20,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Université.Sainte.Anne,.1695,.Route.1

Bridgewater:.. Saturday,.April.21,.1–3.p.m... .Location:.NSCC,.Lunenburg.Campus,.75.High.St


Appendix C: Public Meetings Schedule (second round)

Port.Hawkesbury:. Tuesday,.August.7,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Port.Hawkesbury.Civic.Centre,.606.Reeves.Street

Westville:. Wednesday,.August.8,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Westville.Civic.Centre,.2042.Queen.Street

Sydney:. Thursday,.August.9,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Ukrainian.Hall,.51.West.Street

Halifax:.. Monday,.August.13,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Atlantica.Hotel.Halifax,.1980.Robie.Street

Yarmouth:.. Monday,.August.13,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Mariners.Centre,.31.Cottage.Street

Bridgewater:. Tuesday,.August.14,.6–8.p.m.. .Location:.Best.Western.Plus.Bridgewater.Hotel.and.Convention.Centre,.527.Highway.10,.Exit.12

Church.Point/Pointe.de.l’Église:. Tuesday,.August.14,.6–8.p.m..Location:.Université.Ste..Anne,.Gymnasium,.1695.Route.1

Dartmouth:.. Wednesday,.August.15,.6-8.p.m..Location:.Holiday.Inn.Halifax,.Harbourview.and.Conference.Centre,.101.Wyse.Road

Annapolis.Royal:. Thursday,.August.16,.6-8.p.m..Location:.Annapolis.Royal.Fire.Hall,.5.Saint.Anthony.Street


Appendix D: Presenters (first round, in order of presentation)

Lower Sackville, Thursday, March 15

The.Honourable.Percy.Paris,.Minister.of.Economic.and.Rural.Development.and.Tourism,..MLA,.Waverley-Fall.River-Beaver.Bank

Mike.CormierStephen.TaylorAnthony.BensonPatrick.DoyleMat.Whynott,.MLA,.Hammonds.Plains-Upper.SackvilleSteve.CraigAnthony.MartinPaul.Russell

Dartmouth, Friday, March 16, 2012

Becky.Kent,.MLA,.Cole.Harbour-Eastern.PassageMike.TriderRobert.HarpelleDoug.WilliamsBarry.AlexanderJ..Dianne.GeddesJim.Geddes

Halifax, Saturday, March 17, 2012

Claude.Renard,.President,.Conseil.Communautaire.du.Grand-HarveJules.Chiasson,.Executive.Director,.Conseil.Communautaire.du.Grand-HarveMary.Ann.McGrathHoward.Epstein,.MLA,.Halifax.ChebuctoPeter.ChristieJoan.ChristieKevin.Lacey,.Atlantic.Director,.Canadian.Taxpayers.FederationColin.O’NeilMichael.KennedyDiana.Whalen,.MLA,.Halifax-Clayton.ParkPeter.Bragg


Cherry Brook, Saturday, March 17, 2012

Connor.SmithersmappYvonne.Atwell,.East.Preston.Ratepayers.AssociationConrad.GrosseAlma.JohnstonDolly.WilliamsPastor.Wayne.Desmond

Middleton, Saturday, March 24, 2012

D..Kent.RobinsonLinda.GregoryDarrell.HannamThe.Honourable.Ramona.Jennex,.Minister.of.Education,.MLA,.Kings.SouthThe.Honourable.Stephen.R..McNeil,.Leader.of.the.Official.Opposition,.MLA,.Annapolis

Amherst, Saturday, March 31, 2012

Gary.MillerPaul.Giroux

Stellarton, Saturday, March 31, 2012

Wayne.Pierce,.President,.Pictou.West.Constituency.Association,.New.Democratic.PartyMaurice.(Moe).Smith,.MLA,.Antigonish

Halifax, Thursday, April 12, 2012

David.Finlayson,.Bedford-Birch.Cove.Progressive.Conservative.AssociationStephen.CainesElaine.Loney

Louisdale, Friday, April 13, 2012

Jacklyn.SamsonMarie.Brunelle.and.Michel.de.NoncourtJoel.LefortVictor.David,.Deputy.Warden,.the.Municipality.of.the.County.of.RichmondFrank.ComeauGabrielle.SamsonSteve.Samson,.Councillor,.the.Municipality.of.the.County.of.RichmondMichel.Samson,.MLA,.Richmond


Sydney, Saturday, April 14, 2012

John.ShawEarle.O..TubrettHeather.Paterson,.Treasurer,.Cape.Breton.South.New.Democratic.Party.Association.and.John.Evans,.

President,.Cape.Breton.Nova.New.Democratic.Party.AssociationRon.MacDonald,.President,.Cape.Breton.North.Progressive.Conservative.AssociationHugh.Kennedy,.President,.Cape.Breton.West.Progressive.Conservative.Association

Baddeck, Saturday, April 14, 2012

Stephen.MacAskill,.President,.Victoria-The.Lakes.Liberal.AssociationSandy.Hudson,.Chief.Administrative.Officer,.Municipality.of.the.County.of.VictoriaBob.GreerJim.MorrowJoan.O’Liari,.Victoria-The.Lakes.New.Democratic.Party.AssociationKeith.Bain,.MLA,.Victoria-The.Lakes

Tusket, Thursday, April 19, 2012

Réal.Boudreau,.président,.Chambre.de.commerce.d’Argyle.Chamber.of.Commerce,.and.Peter.BoudreauClinton.Saulnier,.President,.Argyle.Progressive.Conservative.AssociationTherese.Boucher,.Société.historique.et.généalogique.d’ArgyleClyde.deViller.and.Norbert.LeBlanc,.président,.Conseil.acadien.de.Par-en-BasMaurice.leBlanc,.Président.du.Conseil.des.arts.de.Par-en-BasAllain.Muise,.Chief.Administrative.Officer.and.Warden.Aldric.d’Entremont,.Municipalité.d’ArgyleCoral.A..d’Entremont,.secrétaire.du.Réveil.de.PombcoupBernice.d’Entremont,.Responsable.du.Musée.des.Acadiens.des.PubnicosCécile.d’Entremont.Bourque,.Association.des.Acadiennes.de.la.région.d’ArgyleJean.d’Entremont,.présidente.du.comité.régional.d’Argyle.du.Regroupement.des.aînés.de.la.

Nouvelle-ÉcosseNoe.Bourque,.président.du.Comité.jeunesse.de.Par-en-BasJoshua.Shaw,.président.du.conseil.étudiant.de.École.secondaire.de.Par-en-BasGhislain.Boudreau,.président.de.la.Fédération.culturelle.acadienne.de.la.Nouvelle-ÉcosseChris.d’Entremont,.MLA,.ArgyleDésiré.Boudreau,.président.de.la.Chorale.acadienne.du.sud-ouestNatalie.Ibbott-Smith,.présidente.Argyle.Farmers’.MarketGhislaine.d’Eon,.directrice.générale.de.l’Équipe.alphabétisation.Nouvelle-ÉcosseLisa.Landry-Shaw,.directrice.du.Jardin.des.petitsCalvin.d’Entremont,.Village.historique.acadien.de.la.Nouvelle-ÉcosseDonald.W..Jacquard,.Association.du.Musée.de.WedgeportLouis.d’Entremont,.Association.du.parti.libéral.d’Argyle


Briar.Spinney.and.Nicole.Thimot,.jeunes.de.École.secondaire.de.ClareLeland.Anthony,.Warden,.Municipality.of.YarmouthByron.Boudreau,.Deputy.Mayor,.Town.of.Yarmouth

Church Point, Friday, April 20, 2012

Jean.Melanson,.Warden,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.ClarePaul.Comeau,.President,.and.Kristanne.Chandler,.Clare.Civic.AssociationRonald.Robichaud,.Président.and.Jean.Léger,.Directeur.général,.Fédération.acadienne.de.la.

Nouvelle-Écosse.(FANE)Wayne.Gaudet,.MLA,.ClareKenneth.Deveau,.Université.Sainte-Anne,.on.behalf.of.President.and.Vice-Chancellor.Allister.SuretteDiane.Besner,.présidente,.and.Elaine.Thimot,.directrice.générale,.La.Société.acadienne.de.ClareLori-Lynn.Comeau,.Conseil.Jeunesse.provincial.(CJP).and.Jonah.Guillmond,.student.from.École.

secondaire.de.Clare.(ESDC)Charles.MacDougall,.Sara.Sabry.and.Néomie.Losier,.students.from.École.Rose.des.Vents–GreenwoodGhislaine.LeBlanc,.présidente,.Festival.acadien.de.ClareGuy.J..Le.BlancGhislaine.LeBlanc.and.Janice.LeBlancJoline.LeBlanc.and.Clyde.Deveau,.Foyer.“Maison.Jerôme”Daniel.RobichaudAnne.LeBlancAngeline.ThimotMarc.Boudreau,.Clare.Progressive.Conservative.AssociationSuzanne.Saulnier,.directrice,.and.Patricia.Theriault.(board.member),.Centre.provincial.de.ressources.

préscolaires.(CPRPS)Marcel.CottreauJames.Crombie,.PhD,.professor.at.Université.Sainte-AnneColette.Deveau.King

Bridgewater, Saturday, April 21, 2012

Karen.ReinhardtEdward.(Ted).BulleyGary.Ramey,.MLA,.Lunenburg.WestPam.Birdsall,.MLA,.LunenburgWilliam.CoxKeith.SullivanDavid.YoungCarolyn.Bolivar-Getson


Appendix E: Presenters (second round, in order of presentation)

Port Hawkesbury, Tuesday, August 7, 2012

John.PettipasJoel.LefortDanny.GrahamNeil.Decoff,.President,.Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour.Progressive.Conservative.Association,.Herman.Long,.

Vice-President,.Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour.Progressive.Conservative.Association.and.Ron.ChisholmRichard.CottonGabrielle.SamsonDavid.Clark,.Warden,.St..Mary’s.MunicipalityVictor.David,.Deputy.Warden,.Richmond.CountyBert.LewisMichel.Samson,.MLA,.RichmondAllan.MacMaster,.MLA,.Inverness

Westville, Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Wayne.Pierce,.President,.Pictou.West.Constituency.Association,.New.Democratic.PartyClarrie.MacKinnon,.MLA,.Pictou.EastJim.Boudreau,.MLA,.Guysborough-Sheet.HarbourTyler.CameronHis.Worship.Mayor.Roger.MacKay,.Town.of.WestvilleThe.Honourable.Charlie.Parker,.Minister.of.Natural.Resources,.Minister.of.Energy,.MLA,.Pictou.WestGordon.Anderson.and.Raymond.KirkChester.DewarDeborah.StilesRonald.Baillie,.Warden,.Municipality.of.Pictou.CountyRick.YoungDarren.ThompsonLawrence.DunnGlenn.MacLeodDavid.ParkerMilton.FraserMary.K..MacKinnonLuke.YoungAndy.Thompson,.Councillor,.Municipality.of.Pictou.CountyGerald.RomsaRose.MacKenzieCharlie.Sullivan


Sydney, Thursday, August 9, 2012

Tim.Menk,.Barry.Sheehy.and.Gene.Kersey,.Friends.of.Gabarus.SocietySandra.DunnOwen.FitzgeraldThe.Honourable.Gordie.Gosse,.MLA,.Cape.Breton.NovaJim.MacLeodJohn.DanchKathleen.BurkeElizabeth.BeatonDonelda.MacDonald

Halifax, Monday, August, 13, 2012

Rob.BathersonBernard.K..ConradThe.Honourable.Percy.Paris,.Minister.for.Economic.and.Rural.Development.and.Tourism,.MLA,.

Waverley-Fall.River-Beaver.BankThe.Honourable.Maurice.G..Smith,.Minister.of.Transportation.and.Infrastructure.Renewal,.MLA,.

AntigonishGeoff.Le.BoutillierJim.CarwardineGwen.ChristieRené.E..Lavoie,.PhD,.St..Margaret’s.Bay.Stewardship.AssociationBill.SwanPeter.Lund,.Councillor,.Halifax.Regional.MunicipalityMichael.PoworoznykThe.Honourable.David.Wilson,.Minister.of.Health.and.Wellness,.MLA,.Sackville-CobequidCathy.Crouse,.St..Margaret’s.Bay.Stewardship.AssociationCathy.Gamache,.Aspotogan.Heritage.TrustRick.GrantMary.Ann.McGrath,.Chair,.Kearney.Lake.Residents.AssociationMat.Whynott,.MLA,.Hammonds.Plains-Upper.SackvilleThe.Honourable.Denise.Petersen-Rafuse,.Minister.of.Community.Services,.MLA,.Chester-St..Margaret’sShelley.WebbDiana.Whalen,.MLA,.Halifax.Clayton.ParkMichèle.Raymond,.MLA,.Halifax.AtlanticEd.GilesAlan.Ruffman


Yarmouth, Monday, August 13, 2012

Marie-Germaine.ChartranZach.Churchill,.MLA,.YarmouthJohn.SollowsHis.Worship.Mayor.Phil.Mooney,.Town.of.YarmouthKen.Crosby,.Councillor,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.YarmouthJohn.Cunningham,.Councillor,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.YarmouthDick.StewartMike.Mercier,.Yarmouth.Chamber.of.CommerceJohn.Nause,.PhD,.President,.Yarmouth.Liberal.Association,.and.Michael.DrewRichard.Brezet,.Yarmouth.Historical.SocietyShirley.ShermanSteve.PaquetteThe.Honourable.Chris.d’Entremont,.MLA,.Argyle,.and.Clinton.Saulnier,.President,.Argyle.Progressive.

Conservative.AssociationRéal.Boudreau,.Yarmouth.Chamber.of.CommerceLeland.Anthony,.Warden,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.YarmouthBrittany-Jean.BlakeKen.Langille.for.Aaron.LeBlancLeigh.HawkesBrian.Boudreau,.Board.of.Directors,.Yarmouth.Progressive.Conservative.AssociationJohn.Morris,.Yarmouth.New.Democratic.Party.AssociationAldric.d’Entremont,.Warden,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.ArgyleNeil.MacKenzie,.Councillor,.Town.of.YarmouthClyde.deViller.and.Norbert.LeBlanc,.Président,.Conseil.acadien.de.Par-en-BasStephen.SollowsDeborah.Robinson,.Chief,.Acadia.First.NationMaurice.LeBlancMurray.JudgeEric.J..RuffDavid.SollowsMarianna.PezarisLouis.d’EntremontKelly.Bellamon

Church Point/Pointe-de-l’Église, Tuesday, August 14

Jean.LeBlanc,.Chez.Jean.RestaurantCharles.Gaudet,.directeur.général,.and.Ronald.Robichaud,.président,.Fédération.acadienne.de.la.

Nouvelle-Écosse


Claire.Comeau.BoulianneJean.Melanson,.Warden,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Clare/Préfet,.Municipalité.du.district.de.ClareColette.Deveau.King

Bridgewater, Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Mark.FureyDavid.MitchellHis.Worship.Mayor.Don.Downe,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.LunenburgLee.Nauss,.Councillor,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.LunenburgEric.Hustvedt,.Councillor,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.LunenburgPam.Birdsall,.MLA,.LunenburgGary.Ramey,.MLA,.Lunenburg.WestVicki.Conrad,.MLA,.QueensKaren.ReinhardtCarolyn.Bolivar-GetsonSheldon.BrannenBill.CoxEvelyn.Snyder

Dartmouth, Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Lucien.ComeauDavid.Hendsbee,.Councillor,.Halifax.Regional.Municipality.(HRM)Lois.MillerDaniel.BoutinDavid.NantesThe.Honourable.Darrell.Dexter,.Premier,.Province.of.Nova.Scotia,.MLA,.Cole.HarbourTracey.PreeperKevin.LaceyPete.SmithEd.KinleyMaureen.VineWilliam.MolandAgnes.ElmsMichael.CormierZachery.ComeauAndrew.Younger,.MLA,.Dartmouth.EastAllan.BillardJoanne.JardineBev.Doman


Margie.VaughanRobert.Hammer

Annapolis Royal, Thursday, August 16, 2012

The.Honourable.Stephen.R..McNeil,.Leader.of.the.Official.Opposition,.MLA,.AnnapolisRay.MackieJane.NicholsonHelen.OpieGregory.Heming,.PhDBurton.LeathersWayne.BoucherAndreas.KilianJerri.CostaPaul.J..MacDonaldPeter.ZavitzWayne.MacDonaldHarold.Theriault,.MLA,.Digby-Annapolis


Appendix F: Written Submissions Received January 11–May 31, 2012 (in alphabetical order)

Alexander,.Barry,.PEng,.CQMCAnthony,.Leland,.Warden,.Municipality.of.YarmouthBain,.Keith,.MLA,.Victoria-The.LakesBelliveau,.Jeannine,.Regroupement.des.ainées.et.

ainés.de.la.Nouvelle-ÉcosseBengivenni,.TrudyBesner,.Diane,.présidente,.and.Elaine.Thimot,.

directrice.générale,.La.Société.acadienne.de.Clare

Boudreau,.Byron,.Deputy.Mayor,.Town.of.YarmouthBoudreau,.Ghislain,.présidente.de.la.

Fédération.culturelle.acadienne.de.la.Nouvelle-Écosse.(FéCANE)

Boudreau,.Marc,.Clare.Progressive.Conservative.Association

Boudreau,.Real,.président,.Chambre.de.commerce.d’Argyle

Boudreau,.TimBuchanan,.Carol,.President,.Bedford-Birch.Cove.

New.Democratic.Party.Riding.AssociationBulley,.Edward.(Ted),.Provincial.Returning.

Officer,.District.of.QueensBumstead,.JustinCaines,.SteveCameron,.Caroline,.Coordinator,.Comhairle..

na.GàidhligCard,.EdgarChaisson,.Jules,.Executive.Director,.le.Conseil.

communautaire.du.Grand-HavreChristie,.JoanChristie,.PeterClack,.LyssaComeau,.ClaireComeau,.Lorie-Lynn.(Conseil.Jeunesse.provincial—

CJP).and.Jonah.Guimond,.students.from.Ecole.secondaire.de.Clare.(ESDC)

Comeau,.LucienComeau,.Paul,.President,.and.Kristanne.Chandler,.

Director,.Clare.Civic.AssociationComeau,.Paul-Emile,.président,.la.Fédération.

régionale.des.arts.et.du.patrimoineComeau,.PhyllisComeau,.WayneComeau,.Yvon,.l’Association.le.Moulin.de.la.Baie.

Sainte-MarieCook,.Christopher,.A.,.President,.

Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour.New.Democratic.Party.Association

Cormier,.MichaelCottreau,.MarcelCrombie,.James,.PhD,.Professor.at.Université.

Sainte-AnneCunningham,.Trevord’Entremont,.Albenie,.Father,.Stella-Maris.

Parish,.Meteghand’Entremont,.Aldric,.Warden,.and.Alain.D..Muise,.

CA,.Chief.Administrative.Officer,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Argyle

d’Entremont,.Bernice,.Head,.Musée.des.acadiens.des.Pubnicos

d’Entremont,.Coral.A.,.secrétaire.du.Réveil..de.Pombcoup

D’Entremont,.Jean,.présidente,.du.comité.régional.d’Argyle.du.Regroupement.des.aînés.de.la.Nouvelle-Écosse

d’Entremont.Bourque,.Cécile,.l’Association.des.Acadiennes.de.la.region.d’Argyle

David,.Victor,.Deputy.Warden,.Municipality.of.the.County.of.Richmond

De.Noncourt,.Michel,.Marie.Brunelle,.Clyde.de.Viller,.and.Norbert.LeBlanc,.président,.le.Conseil.acadien.de.Par-en-Bas


Després,.Noël,.Gérant.général,.Comeau’s.Sea.Foods.Limited

Deveau,.Kenneth,.PhD,.Vice.President,.Academic.and.Research,.Université.Sainte-Anne

Deveau.King,.ColetteDoucet-Boudreau,.Glenda,.présidente,.

L’Association.Madelaine.LeBlancDowne,.Don,.Mayor,.Municipality.of.the.District.

of.LunenburgEmbree,.Margaret.H.Epstein,.Howard,.MLA,.Halifax.ChebuctoEvans,.JohnFinlayson,.DavidFinlayson,.David,.Bedford-Birch.Cove.Progressive.

Conservative.AssociationGarnier,.MaryGaudet,.M..Kenneth,.président.du.Conseil.scolaire.

acadien.provincial,.and.Guy.J..LeBlancGaudet,.Wayne,.MLA,.ClareGerrits,.GerryGreer,.BobHammond,.GordonHarpelle,.RobertHudson,.A.W..(Sandy)Hudson,.Sandy,.Chief.Administrative.Officer,.

Municipality.of.the.County.of.VictoriaIbbott-Smith,.NatalieIsnor,.LynneJacquard,.Donald.W.,.l’Association.du.Musée.de.

la.pêche.sportive.au.thon.de.WedgeportJarvis,.Joseph.G.Jones,.Arnold.and.JanetKelly,.DuncanKennedy,.HughKennedy,.MichaelKent,.Becky,.MLA,.Cole.Harbour-Eastern.PassageLandry-Shaw,.Lisa,.directrice,.Le.Jardin.des.PetitsLeBlanc,.AlainLeBlanc,.Anne

LeBlanc,.CyrilleLeBlanc,.Ghislaine,.présidente,.Festival.acadien.

de.ClareLeBlanc,.Guy.J.,.board.of.directors,.Festival.

acadien.de.ClareLeBlanc,.Maurice,.président.du.Conseil.des.arts.

de.Par-en-BasLeBlanc,.Paul.Emile,.président,.La.Chambre.de.

commerce.de.ClareLeBlanc,.RaymondLeFort,.JoelLoney,.Elaine.A.Lugar,.DonnaMacArthur,.Rod,.QCMacAskill,.StephenMacAskill,.Stephen,.President,.Victoria-The.Lakes.

Liberal.AssociationMacDonald,.Ron,.Cape.Breton.North.Progressive.

Conservative.AssociationMacMaster,.Allan,.MLA,.InvernessMacVicar,.AnnMaillet,.Lucille,.Administratice,.Villa.AcadienneMartin,.Jean-Jacques.and.LouiseMcGrath,.Mary.AnnMelanson,.Jean,.Warden,.Municipality.of.the.

District.of.ClareMiller,.GaryNorman,.CarolO’Boyle,.SusanO’Liari,.JoanOrrell,.EddieParis,.The.Honourable.Percy,.Minister.of.Economic.

and.Rural.Development.and.Tourism,.MLA.for.Waverley-Fall.River-Beaver.Bank

Patterson,.Heather,.Treasurer,.Cape.Breton.South.New.Democratic.Party.Constituency.Association,.and.John.Evans,.President,.Cape.Breton.Nova.New.Democratic.Party.Constituency.Association


Pierce,.Wayne,.President.of.Riding.Association,.Pictou.West,.New.Democratic.Party

Ramey,.Gary,.MLA,.Lunenburg.WestRaymond,.Doug,.Secretary,.Kings.North.

Progressive.Conservative.AssociationRegan,.Kelly,.MLA,.Bedford-Birch.CoveReinhardt,.KarenRenard,.Claude,.président,.le.Conseil.

communautaire.du.Grand-HavreRobichaud,.Ronald,.président,.and.Jean.Léger,.

directeur.général,.Fédération.acadienne.de.la.Nouvelle-Écosse

Robinson,.D..KentRodgers,.DanielSamson,.GabrielleSamson,.Jacqueline,.directrice.générale,.La.

Picasse,.centre.communautaire.culturelSaulnier,.Suzanna,.directrice,.and.Patricia.

Theriault,.board.member,.Centre.provincial.de.ressources.préscolaires.(CPRPS)

Savoury,.MichelineShaw,.JohnShaw,.Joshua,.président.du.Conseil.étudiant.de.

École.secondaire.de.Par-en-BasSheehan,.PeterSmith,.MauriceThériault,.GérardThimot,.AngelineThimot,.NicoleTitus,.Everett,.Marine.Superintendent,.A.F..

Theriault.and.Son.LimitedTrider,.MichaelTubrett,.Earle.O.Veevers,.GregoryWall,.Brenda,.RCTWeagle,.AnthonyWilkie,.GregoryWilliams,.DougWilliamson,.Marthanne

Wood,.RichardYoung,.David.I.


Appendix G: Written Submissions Received June 1–July 13, 2012 (in alphabetical order)

Aitken,.JimBannerman,.BlairBannerman,.Mark.and.SelenaBenson,.Ann.M.,.President,.Beaver.Bank.

Kinsac.SeniorsBenson,.AnthonyBlack,.AndrewBrown,.D..ScottBrown,.JanetByrne,.TimCasey,.Karen,.MLA,.Colchester.NorthChurchill,.Zack,.MLA,.YarmouthClack,.LyssaConrad,.Bernard.K.Conrad,.MerrillCosman,.The.Honourable.FranceneDawson,.LorraineDoucet,.LesterDubinsky,.Dr..LeslieDunlop,.W..DaleFawson,.PatFerguson,.JasonFiander,.ErinFurey,.MarkGeddes,.J..DianneGray,.Justin.and.SherryHarris,.DavidHerron,.Bruce,.President,.Pictou.County.Chamber.

of.CommerceHirtle,.PatrickHolmes,.Louis.M.Hunt,.Jeffrey.R.,.Executive.Vice.President,.

Progressive.Conservative.Party.of.Nova.ScotiaIpe,.Christopher,.and.Tanya.NicholsonLanigan,.JohnLoney,.Elaine

Loney,.RobertLugar,.BrianLugar,.DonnaMacDonald,.StephenMacHardy,.JoanneMacKay,.BobMacKinnon,.Clarrie,.MLA,.Pictou.EastMacLellan,.MarleneMcCluskey,.PatrickMcQuaid,.JaniceMelanson,.Jean,.préfet,.Municipalité.du.district.

de.ClareMeldrum,.DaveMiller,.GaryMisner,.Jeanne.and.BrianMorton,.Jim,.MLA,.Kings.NorthMuise,.EvelynParker,.JimPerry,.DonnaRegan,.Kelly,.MLA,.Bedford-Birch.CoveReinhardt,.KarenRobichaud,.J..Ronald,.président,.Fédération.

acadienne.de.la.Nouvelle.ÉcosseRobinson,.CaroleRyan,.PatSamson,.RosemarieShaw,.JohnShindruk,.ArdithSkinner,.DougSmith,.BillSmith,.JaniceSmith,.NancyStewart,.Mary.ElizabethTaggart,.TomThériault,.Gérard,.Executive.Secretary,.Clare.

Civic.Association


Tillman,.SandyVeevers,.GregoryWalker,.GrantWhalen,.MichaelWhite,.BillWhite,.MeredithWhitehead,.MikeWilson,.Cheri


Appendix H: Written Submissions Received July 14–September 4, 2012 (in alphabetical order)

Aalto,.SergeiAckerman,.JerryAlbright,.CamAlexander,.Barry,.PEng,.CQMCAllaire,.SylvainAllan,.Wilfred.H.Allen,.Don.and.JeannieAmero,.AnganetAmero,.AngelaAmon,.JennahAtwell,.Wanda.L.Bailey,.Linda,.RNBaker,.Dr..Christopher.and.StephanieBaroni,.NancyBarteaux,.AshleyBatherson,.RobertBeals,.LauraBeattie,.DeloresBenson,.Anthony.V.Bickford,.JimBillard,.AllanBishara,.Joanne.E.Blake,.Brittany-JeanBoivin-Cole,.Dr..CarmelitaBonnar,.Veralyn.Anne.RogersBouchard,.AndréBoucher,.Wayne,.The.Milford.and.Area.Community.

Hall.Association.and.Chairman.of.the.Friends.of.the.Annapolis.Community.Health.Centre

Boudreau,.Brian.and.JimBoudreau,.Brian.and.SandraBoudreau,.Jim,.MLA,.Guysborough-Sheet.HarbourBoudreau,.MarylnBoudreau,.Réal,.Yarmouth.Chamber.of.CommerceBoutilier,.RogerBoyd,.Fred

Bridson,.CherylBrown,.Hugh.and.LeonaBrown,.LaurieBuchanan,.Al,.and.Nancy.SullivanBuckler,.MatthewBuckmaster,.JoanneBullerwell,.Earl.and.JaniceBurke,.Patrick.A.,.QC,.Executive.Member,.

Lunenburg.Liberal.AssociationButland,.FreemanButt,.GeorgeCaines,.JulieCaldwell,.SherryCalvi,.Morgan.F.Cameron,.KimberlyCard,.EdgarCasey,.Karen,.MLA,.Colchester.NorthCarson,.WardCawthra,.Michael.and.KarenChapman,.JosieChisholm.McQuaid,.JaniceChristie,.PeterChurchill,.JoyceChurchill,.Karen,.President,.Yarmouth.and.Area.

Chamber.of.CommerceChurchill,.Zach,.MLA,.YarmouthClarke,.SusanCoady,.EileenCoady,.PaulColaiacovo,.KathyComeau,.AndreComeau,.ClaireComeau,.JeannineComeau,.WarnerConnell,.BrianConrad,.Bernard.K.


Conyers,.DonnaCook,.ShirleyCooke,.KevinCormier,.MichaelCosta,.JerriCranton,.SharonCress,.PatriciaCrossman,.AnneCrouse,.Cathy,.Vice-Chair,.St..Margaret’s.Bay.

Stewardship.AssociationCunningham,.John,.Councillor,.Municipality.of.the.

District.of.YarmouthCunningham,.TrevorCurry,.GerryCurry,.IanCurry,.MikeCurry,.William.E..(Bill)deViller,.Clyded’Entremont,.Aldric,.Warden,.Municipality.of.the.

District.of.Argyle.d’Entremont,.The.Honourable.Chris,.MLA,.Argyle,.

and.Clinton.Saulnier,.President,.Argyle.Progressive.Conservative.Association

d’Entremont,.JeanDanch,.JohnDares,.GilDavid,.JimDavies,.Peter.and.ValerieDavis,.DickDay,.CecilDay,.William.H.E.D’Entremont,.PaulDease,.Jack.and.Donna-LeeDecoff,.Neil,.President,.Guysborough-Sheet.

Harbour.Progressive.Conservative.Association,.Herman.Long,.Vice-President,.Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour.Progressive.Conservative.Association.and.Ron.Chisholm

deMolitor,.Ruth.and.Ken

DeViller,.SharonDewar,.Kenneth.C.DeWolfe,.JaneDodaro,.PaulaDoman,.BevDonaldson,.RandyDoucette,.DavidDowne,.His.Worship.Don,.Mayor,.Municipality.of.

the.District.of.LunenburgDuffy,.Bryan.D.,.FCADunn,.LawrenceDunn,.SandraDystant,.DonnaEarle,.DanEaton,.SusanEdwards,.LaurieEllis,.Darlene.F.English,.DaveEpstein,.Howard,.MLA,.Halifax.ChebuctoFakhri,.JosephFearon,.MikeField,.ReneeFitzgerald,.KevinFrancruz,.JoanFecteau,.JanetteFoley,.PeggyForrestall,.MonicaFoster,.DouglasFougere,.KathyFox,.JeanneFraser,.MiltonFurey,.MarkFyfe,.PeterGaudet,.Charles,.directeur.général.and.Ronald.

Robichaud,.président,.Fédération.acadienne.de.la.Nouvelle-Écosse

Geddes,.J..DianneGennette,.BrandiGillis,.Gordon.D.


Gobien,.KevinGregory-Hudson,.LunettaGrove,.Jo-AnneHall,.FloraHalley,.AnnaHannam,.GregHanson,.Carol.and.JohnHanson,.KarenHardy,.AndrewHarper,.Ron.and.JudyHarvey,.AnthonyHaslam,.BillHawkins,.Derek.and.SueHay,.Gene.and.SusanHayward-Byrd,.LynetteHebditch,.Suzan.A.Hefler,.Marge,.Timber.Trails.Land-.

Leased.CommunityHelmke,.Ellen,.President,.St..Margaret’s.Bay.

Chamber.of.CommerceHeming,.Gregory,.PhDHill,.WandaHines,.Lloyd.P.Hodgins,.Brad,.BA,.MA,.MPAHodgson,.Jo.and.RayHolt,.Dr..Richard.THoward,.Dessie.and.BobHuby,.BobHurlbert,.ErnieHudson,.Karen.L.Hyman,.Michael,.M.D.Hyson,.WayneIbraheem,.Al.WaedhIgot,.PierreIngalls,.Wayne.and.SharonIrving-Kennedy,.SharonIsles,.KenIsnor,.OwenJardine,.Joanne

Jarvis,.Joseph.G.Jenereaux,.Harriet.E.Jenereaux,.Keith.W.Jessop,.B.Johnson,.RachelJohnston,.CorrineJudge,.MurrayKearnes,.NicoleKhan,.LornaKilian,.AndreasKinley,.EdKugel,.HerbKutschera,.EllaLacey,.Kevin,.Atlantic.Director,.Canadian.

Taxpayers.FederationLamey,.JoanneLavoie,.René.E.,.PhDLawrence,.E.Layes,.Mary.K.LeBlanc,.AaronLeBlanc,.Jean,.Chez.Jean.RestaurantLeBlanc,.MauriceLeBlanc,.NorbertLeBoutilier,.GeoffLeathers,.Burton,.PhDLeon,.John,.St..Margaret’s.Bay..

Stewardship.AssociationLewis,.S.M.Little,.MatthewLipton,.JohnLombard,.SueLoney,.ElaineLoney,.RobertLorefice,.LouiseLosier,.SoniaMacDonald,.AdeleMacDonald,.Gerald.A.,.QCMacDonald,.JanetMacDonald,.Joe


MacDonald,.MarionMacDonald,.Paul.J.MacDonald,.Peter.M.MacDonald,.Ronald.AMacDonald,.Wayne,.Chair,.Annapolis.West.

Health.FoundationMacDonald,.WendyMacDonald,.WillardMacDonell,.The.Honourable.John,.Minister.of.

Agriculture.and.Minister.of.Service.Nova.Scotia.and.Municipal.Relations,.MLA,.Hants.East

MacInnis,.Professor.MalcolmMacKenzie,.Neil,.Councillor,.Town.of.YarmouthMacKenzie,.RoseMackie,.RayMacKinnon,.Clarrie,.MLA,.Pictou.EastMacKinnon,.Mary.K.Maclaughlin,.GaryMacLean,.BillMacLennan,.John.and.JanetMacMillan,.MaryMacNeil,.Michael,.The.East.Bay.and.Area.

Community.CouncilMaher,.KenMaher,.Judy,.RNMallet,.AndréMansour,.PeterMarshall,.KevinMaybee,.JanetMcCaul,.Margaret.and.PaulMcCaul,.PamMcCluskey,.PatrickMcCormick,.Ashley,.MD,.CCFPMcDonald,.Patrick.G.McGill,.SharelleMcGinis,.Jim.and.JeanMcGowan,.LaurieMcGrath,.Mary.Ann,.Chair,.Kearney.Lake.

Residents.Association

McInnis,.Thomas.J.,.President,.Sheet.Harbour.and.Area.Chamber.of.Commerce.and.Civic.Affairs

McLagan,.LornaMcNeil,.ColleenMcNeil,.The.Honourable.Stephen.R.,.Leader.of.

the.Opposition,.MLA,.AnnapolisMelanson,.DurlineMelanson,.Jean,.Warden,.Municipality.of.the.District.

of.Clare./.Préfet,.Municipalité.du.district.de.ClareMelanson,.PaulaMenk,.Tim,.Barry.Sheehy,.and.Gene.Kersey,.

Friends.of.Gabarus.SocietyMennie,.Gerald.E.Mercier,.MikeMersereau,.ByronMildon,.John,.and.Melissa.KeddieMillett-Campbell,.SandiMills,.William,.Executive.Director,.and.Graziella.

Grbac,.Incoming.Executive.Director,.Main.Street.Dartmouth.and.Area.Business.Improvement.Association

Mitchell,.DavidMoir,.SheilaMoore,.John,.Maskwa.Aquatic.ClubMorash,.DougMorris,.John,.Yarmouth.New.Democratic..

Party.AssociationMorton,.AshleyMorton,.Jim,.MLA,.Kings.NorthMosley,.JenniferMueller-Sparenberg,.HolgerMuise,.DanielMuise,.MalcolmMullett,.ByronMunro-Cape,.Christopher.J.Murphy.Boudreau,.SandraMurray,.Brian.and.DebbieNause,.John,.PhD,.President,.Yarmouth.Liberal.

Association,.and.Michael.Drew


Nauss,.Lee.,.Councillor,.Municipality.of.the.District.of.Lunenburg

Nicholson,.GordNicholson,.JaneNickerson,.MichaelO’Donnell,.RoyO’Grady,.SallyOlie,.David,.President,.Yarmouth.New.Democratic.

Party.AssociationOliver,.ReganO’Neil,.David,.President,.Cole.Harbour.New.

Democratic.Party.AssociationO’Neil,.JackO’Neil,.VickiOpie,.HelenOrkin,.David,.and.Vanessa.WilkesPaquette,.JoanPaquette,.SteveParis,.DebbieParkes,.ErnieParker,.The.Honourable.Charlie,.Minister.of.

Natural.Resources.and.Minister.of.Energy,.MLA,.Pictou.West

Parker,.Grand.Chief.Mary.Lou,.Eastern.Woodland.Metis.Nation,.Nova.Scotia

Parker,.MauriceParker,.TimPateman,.ChrisPeach,.John.and.RosannePelham,.Pat.and.ElizabethPercy,.JonPerry,.Frieda.M.Perry,.JoshPetersen-Rafuse,.The.Honourable.Denise,.

Minister.of.Community.Services,.MLA,.Chester-St..Margaret’s

Pettipas,.JohnPierce,.Wayne,.President,.Pictou.West.New.

Democratic.Party.Association

Preeper,.TraceyPunnett,.ElizabethRaffel,.HenryRafuse,.BarbaraRafuse,.BronsonRamey,.Gary,.MLA,.Lunenburg.WestRamey,.LeotaRedgrave,.PatrickReed,.KatherineRegan,.Kelly,.MLA,.Bedford-Birch.CoveReynolds,.ArthurRhodenizer,.Robert.C.Rhymer,.ElizabethRichells,.HeideRierden,.AndiRitchie,.FranRoberts,.LawrenceRoberts,.His.Worship.Phil,.Mayor,.Town.of.AnnapolisRoberts,.RyanRobinson,.Deborah,.Chief,.Acadia.First.NationRobinson,.LeslieRockwell,.M.L.Rogers,.Doreen.and.BillRodgers,.DorothyRogers,.BruceRogers,.TwilaRomsa,.GeraldRose,.LindaRoy,.CrystalRoy,.JennaRoy,.SuzanneRussell,.PaulRyan,.BonnieRyan,.PatSaad,.EmileSaulnier,.AshleySaulnier,.ConnieSchneeweiss,.VictorSegulin,.Tim


Setlakwe,.JennaSchwartz,.AlissaShaw,.JohnShepard,.JacquiSherman,.ShirleyShortt,.CatherineSkabar,.Brian,.MLA,.Cumberland.NorthSlinn,.GrantSloan,.ChristineSmith,.DavidSmith,.Fielding.P.,.Deputy.Warden,.Municipality.of.

Pictou.CountySmith,.Gary.and.LindaSmith,.Neil.and.JeanSmith,.PeteSmithson,.Jim.and.LillianSnyder,.EvelynSollows,.DavidSollows,.JohnStackhouse,.ValerieStanton,.Eldon.and.DorisSteele,.Lise.W.Stewart,.Arthur.and.HeatherStewart,.HarveyStopford,.SusanSullivan,.JuanitaSurette,.JaniceSutton,.Linda.D.Swan,.BillSwift,.JudithSynishin,.PeterTaggart,.DavidTate,.Brenda.LevyTaylor,.His.Worship.Bob,.Mayor,.Municipality.of.

the.County.of.ColchesterTaylor,.DeanThompson,.KatherineTibbo,.WadeTileston,.Susan

Trimper,.Alan.R.Turcotte,.TracyTweedie,.GraemeUchacz,.StevenUhlman,.BrandonUrbaniak,.Tom,.PhDvan.Kampen,.Herbert.and.Eva.KozlowskiVanasse,.PierreVallillee,.KevinVaughan,.MatthewVeevers,.GregoryVerhoeckx,.IvyVine,.MaureenWagner,.DaleWallace,.PerryWambolt,.SusanneWard,.CarolWarner,.GillianWebster,.The.Rev..Charles.M.,.BA,.MDivWentzell,.LindaWesenhagen,.JaninaWestoll,.GaryWhalen,.Diana,.MLA,.Halifax.Clayton.ParkWhelan,.KayWhite,.ArtWhite,.DeniseWilkes,.VanessaWilson,.BobWilson,.The.Honourable.David,.Minister.of.Health.

and.Wellness,.MLA,.Sackville-CobequidWilson,.David.S.,.Chairman,.East.River.Valley.

Community.Development.AssociationWilson,.SaraWoodill,.Eliz.HollyWright,.NadineWright,.TedYounger,.Andrew,.MLA,.Dartmouth.EastZavitz,.PeterZisserson,.Marilynn.and.Warren


Appendix I: Summary of Comments from the Public

Public.comments.and.advice,.in.the.form.of.written.and.verbal.submissions,.are.summarized.in.point.form.and.grouped.under.four.headings..Full.Hansard.transcripts.of.what.was.said.at.the.public.meetings.are.available.on.the.Commission’s.website.

Summary of Comments from the Public, to May 31, 2012 (before release of the Interim Report)

Number and size of electoral constituencies

•. Stay.within.the.existing.52.seats.(as.savings.from.minor.seat.reduction.would.be.small.and.the.level.of.representation.in.Nova.Scotia.is.not.abnormal.within.Canada)

•. Reduce.to.27.seats;.52.seats.or.a.slight.reduction.is.okay;.three.provincial.ridings.for.each.federal.riding.to.produce.33.seats;.45-seat.legislature.is.reasonable.to.provide.government,.cabinet.and.opposition

•. Reduce.to.42.seats.to.bring.costs.in.line.with.provincial.GDP;.if.Commission.does.not.agree,.hold.a.voter.plebiscite.on.the.topic

•. Use.the.redrawn.HRM.municipal.electoral.districts.and.average.number.of.electors.as.a.basis.for.redrawing.districts.across.the.province:.would.give.42.seats.in.the.legislature;.could.make.work.easier.for.elected.representatives.and.community.groups

•. Consider.reducing.the.number.of.seats.to.achieve.cost.savings

•. Apply.additional.support.staff.and.current.information.technologies

•. Communications.technologies.to.assist.rural.members.of.the.Legislative.Assembly.(MLAs).and.their.widely.dispersed.constituents

•. Work.with.county.and.municipal.boundaries.to.the.extent.possible

•. Recognize.that.urban.constituents.are.easier.to.represent.due.to.geographic/population.compactness.and.fewer.and.different.demands.on.MLAs

•. Respect.long-standing.municipal.and.county.boundaries

•. Respect.established.and.natural.communities.of.interest.as.determined.by.various.factors,.which.include.transportation.routes;.shopping.patterns;.infrastructure.and.facilities;.employment;.and.recreation,.etc..This.would.mean.adjusting.boundaries.where.community.of.interest.has.been.compromised.in.the.past.and.ensuring.that.new.or.expanded.districts.respect.long-standing.communities


Voter parity

•. Use.the.±25.per.cent.variance.as.an.absolute.maximum

•. Aim.for.a.±10.per.cent.variance;.aim.for.a.±10.to.15%.variance.as.maximum

•. One.person,.one.vote—no.special.status.or.protection.for.anyone

•. Representation.by.population.only.one.of.the.factors.to.consider

•. Use.the.±25.per.cent.variance.as.a.guideline.only,.weighing.it.against.factors.such.as.history,.geography,.culture,.communities.of.interest.and.language.and.against.the.goal.of.fair.and.effective.representation.for.all

•. Consider.a.population.benchmark.or.standard.lower.than.±25%.for.constituencies.in.rural.Nova.Scotia;.consider.different.standards.for.rural.and.urban.areas

•. Take.into.account.that.the.rural.voter.turnout.is.larger.than.urban

Boundary adjustments

•. Harmonize.provincial.poll.boundaries.with.federal.poll.boundaries

•. Use.rear.property.lines.rather.than.streets.as.boundaries.where.this.could.avoid.confusion

•. Maintain.the.status.quo.in.Pictou,.Antigonish,.and.Kings;.Cape.Breton.has.enough.voters.to.sustain.the.status.quo

•. Move.boundaries.in.Cape.Breton.so.as.to.meet.the.population.requirement.and.thereby.justify.and.maintain.the.current.number.of.seats

•. Maintain.the.current.number.of.seats.in.Cape.Breton.in.appreciation.that.a.reduction.would.add.to.the.economic.and.out-migration.problems.on.the.Island

•. Expand.Victoria-The.Lakes.to.include.more.rural.population.(from.Cape.Breton.North.or.West;.e.g.,.Mill.Creek-Point.Aconi.area)

•. Combine.the.Inverness.and.Victoria-The.Lakes.highlands;.move.Polls.1–20.from.Inverness.to.Victoria-The.Lakes;.polls.27–32.from.Victoria-The.Lakes.to.Cape.Breton.North

•. Maintain.the.status.quo.in.Victoria-The.Lakes.(rather.than.expand.it),.given.its.geography.and.unwieldy.size

•. Add.some.north-end.polls.in.Sydney.to.Cape.Breton.Nova.(Whitney.Pier)


•. Move.four.polls.from.Cape.Breton.Centre.into.the.Glace.Bay.constituency

•. Restore.the.coastal.area.of.Lunenburg.County.to.Lunenburg.West.out.of.respect.for.its.Bridgewater.orientation.and.long-standing.community.of.interest

•. Maintain.the.Queens.constituency.by.incorporating.more.of.central.Nova.Scotia.(Maitland.Bridge.area).as.well.as.Lunenburg.West.(north.of.current.coastal.section);.change.name.to.Queens–West.Lunenburg

•. Leave.New.Germany.in.Lunenburg.West

•. Add.population/voters.to.Cumberland.South.by.taking.in.Nappan,.Maccan,.Fenwick,.Chignecto,.Five.Islands.to.Glengarry

•. Cumberland.South.will.soon.slip.outside.permissible.range:.look.at.long-term.growth.projections

•. Address.the.under-population.of.Eastern.Shore.by.moving.the.southern.boundary.only

•. Address.the.under-population.of.Guysborough.by.taking.polls.from.Antigonish

•. Guysborough.travel.and.communication.oriented.to.Antigonish.and.Pictou.rather.than.Halifax;.make.Guysborough.County.a.constituency,.or.keep.status.quo,.but.if.that.is.not.possible.recognize.functional.issues.in.creating.new.area.by.going.into.Eastern.Shore

•. Separate.Clayton.Park.from.Timberlea

•. Consider.merging.Birch.Cove.area.into.a.new.or.expanded.constituency.such.as.Clayton.Park;.move.polls.1–14.and.46–48.out.of.Bedford

•. Treat.Rockingham,.Cresthaven,.Grosvenor.Park,.Kearney.Lake,.and.Wedgewood.neighbourhoods.in.HRM.as.a.community.of.interest

•. Could.keep.Bedford–Birch.Cove.intact.or.separate.Birch.Cove..Avoid.narrow.constituencies.going.out.from.Bedford.Basin

•. Fairview.has.no.community.of.interest.with.the.mainland;.Fairview.could.be.returned.to.its.historic.connection.to.Armdale

•. To.create.six.constituencies.in.Central.Halifax.(from.current.5),.consider.a.new.Halifax–Northwest.Arm.constituency.and.some.adjustments.to.other.affected.constituencies

•. Voter.dilution.currently.a.problem.in.Halifax.and.suburbs;.up.to.five.constituencies.may.need.to.shift.from.outside.HRM.mainland;.could.adjust.boundaries.between.Halifax.Chebucto.and.Halifax.Needham.from.Windsor.to.Robie.Street.(extended.to.North.Street)

•. Create.a.Bedford.constituency.based.on.original.town.boundaries,.new.municipal.electoral.districts,.and.in.conjunction.with.the.creation.of.new.HRM.constituencies.or.realignment.of.existing.ones.in.the.vicinity


•. Include.Colby.Village.in.Cole.Harbour–Eastern.Passage.consistent.with.municipal.boundaries

•. Take.Colby.Village.out.of.Cole.Harbour–Eastern.Passage.and.put.with.Dartmouth.East;.no.community.of.interest.with.Eastern.Passage

•. Extend.the.boundaries.of.Cole.Harbour–Eastern.Passage.into.Dartmouth.South.so.as.to.absorb.South.Woodside

•. Extend.Dartmouth.East.northward.to.take.in.streets.off.the.Waverley.Road.that.are.now.oriented.to.Dartmouth.(up.to.highway.overpass)

•. Move.the.Lakelands–Mount.Uniacke.communities.into.the.West.Hants.constituency

•. Move.the.Upper.Sackville.segment.of.Hammonds.Plains.into.the.greater.Sackville.constituency.so.as.to.provide.for.the.growth.in.Hammonds.Plains

•. Align.the.current.communities.of.Middle.and.Upper.Sackville,.Lucasville,.and.Mount.Uniacke;.include.“Lucasville”.in.the.constituency.name

•. Move.Beaver.Bank.into.the.Sackville.constituency

•. Recognize.as.a.general.principle.that.public.sector.service.“regions”.across.the.province.demonstrate.little.consistency.from.a.boundary.standpoint,.thus.creating.confusion.for.both.citizens.and.service.providers

Protected constituencies

•. Continue.protection.of.the.existing.four.protected.seats,.given.that.the.Acadian.or.African-Nova.Scotian.minorities.confront.dilution.of.voter.influence.and,.in.the.case.of.the.former,.ultimate.assimilation.into.the.mainstream.population

•. Acadian.MLAs.perform.a.dual.role,.representing.Acadian.interests.across.the.province

•. The.gains.made.by.Acadians.in.language.and.culture.have.been.possible.due.to.the.collective.strength.of.MLA.representation

•. Eliminating.or.merging.ridings.would.be.a.step.backwards;.merging.ridings.would.create.rivalries;.reducing.numbers.would.weaken.Acadian.political.power

•. Recognize.that.the.Charter.of.Rights.and.Freedoms.and.judicial.decisions.now.protect.minorities,.including.their.right.to.effective.representation.in.legislatures

•. Recognize.that.Charter.protection.reduces.the.need.and.justification.for.special.treatment.of.minorities.as.voters


•. Appeals.to.higher.courts.would.be.likely.if.protected.constituencies.were.to.be.eliminated

•. There.is.no.merit.to.the.claims.that.the.terms.of.reference.are.unconstitutional

•. Avoid.splitting.up.minority.communities.in.re-alignments.within.a.±25.per.cent.variance;.avoid.gerrymandering

•. Tighten.the.boundaries.around.the.Preston.area.community.to.further.ensure.that.an.African.Nova.Scotian.candidate.would.take.the.seat

•. Consider.innovations.such.as.“administrative.districts,”.and.“members.at.large”.who.could.represent.the.named.minorities.regardless.of.where.they.live;.the.Gaelic.community.has.sufficient.numbers.to.warrant.consideration

•. Consider.creating.a.dispersed.constituency.that.would.include.various.Acadian.communities.in.different.parts.of.the.province

•. Consider.proportional.representation.to.replace.the.currently.employed.first-past-the-post.electoral.system

•. Consider.low-cost.alternatives.to.expensive.MLA.ridings.to.address.needs.of.the.communities

•. Representation.only.by.or.for.a.particular.group.goes.against.democracy;.special.seats.go.against.common.sense;.no.groups.should.have.reserved.seats;.where.will.it.end;.should.be.one.person.one.vote;.could.lead.to.other.constituencies.based.on.people’s.backgrounds


Summary of Comments from the Public, June 1–July 13, 2012 (after release of the Interim Report)

Constituency of Kings North

•. Pleased.the.boundaries.have.been.left.intact

Constituency of Timberlea-Prospect

•. Move.the.community.of.Williamswood.from.the.constituency.of.Timberlea-Prospect.to.the.constituency.of.Halifax.Atlantic

Constituency of Yarmouth

•. Maintain.Yarmouth.as.a.constituency.of.and.to.itself

•. Do.not.divide.or.parcel.the.constituency.of.Yarmouth.into.two.segments

General comments

•. Peninsular.Halifax:.universities.and.hospitals.provide.a.natural.boundary.between.the.urban.core.and.the.single.family.dwellings.that.are.more.common.in.the.south.and.southwest.areas.of.the.peninsula;.both.the.current.boundaries.and.those.presented.in.the.Interim.Report.see.a.natural.community.of.family.neighbourhoods.broken.up;.a.more.natural.grouping.of.like-minded.communities.would.bring.together.citizens.in.single.family.dwellings..This.could.start.on.the.eastern.end.of.Inglis.Street,.head.north.on.Robie.Street,.west.of.Quinpool.Road,.north.at.Oxford.Street,.and.west.continuing.down.Chebucto.Road.to.the.Armdale.Rotary

•. Move.the.Kearney.Lake.area.to.the.proposed.new.riding.of.Halifax.Clayton.Park

•. Consider.the.following.name.changes:.Lunenburg.Centre.to.LaHave.River.Valley;.Lunenburg.East.to.Lunenburg;.and.Queens-Lunenburg.West.to.Queens-Kejimkujik

•. Delay.the.start.of.the.second.round.of.public.meetings


Governance

•. The.Commission.performed.well.within.the.provisions.and.spirit.of.the.House.of.Assembly.Act;.the.Commission.should.adhere.to.its.Interim.Report

•. The.Commission.is.independent;.that.means.independent.of.government,.including.any.minister,.any.department,.or.any.official;.the.Commission.should.seek.its.own.legal.advice

•. The.Commission.should.have.followed.its.Terms.of.Reference

•. Adhere.to.the.Terms.of.Reference.or.resign

•. Should.there.be.any.meeting.involving.the.Minister.of.Justice.and.the.Commission.or.any.member.thereof,.the.Progressive.Conservative.Party.of.Nova.Scotia.takes.the.position.that.in.order.to.preserve.the.independence.of.the.process.it.must.be.made.public

Number of MLAs

•. Keep.at.52.to.ensure.fair.representation.across.the.province

•. There.are.too.many.MLAs.in.NS.given.its.size.and.population

Proposed change to the constituency of Bedford-Birch Cove

•. Area.east.of.the.102.should.remain.in.one.riding;.suggest.the.southern.boundary.be.placed.somewhere.near.the.Esquire.Motel.and.the.north.boundary.along.Duke.Street;.eastern.boundary.should.run.down.the.Bedford.bypass.from.the.102.to.the.top.of.Magazine.Hill

•. Ensure.all.of.the.Basinview.community.remains.in.the.Bedford-Birch.Cove.constituency

•. Area.north.of.the.102.(including.the.new.high.school.and.community).should.be.placed.in.the.constituency

•. Thank.you.for.including.the.community.of.Royal.Hemlocks.in.the.proposed.constituency.of.Bedford

•. Proposed.constituency.of.Bedford.simply.as.the.old.Town.of.Bedford

•. Place.Sandy.Lake.and.the.Bedford.West.area.in.the.proposed.constituency


Proposed change to the constituency of Colchester North

•. Revise.decision.to.alter.the.boundaries.of.the.constituency.of.Colchester.North.because.of.community.of.interest

•. Reconsider.recommendation.knowing.that.the.constituency.population.can.be.better.achieved.through.boundary.changes.between.Cumberland.North.and.Cumberland.South

•. Proposed.change.to.the.constituency.of.Pictou.East

•. Constituency.has.a.population.of.15,613.and.11,803.voters,.well.within.the.±25.per.cent.guidelines;.the.constituency.should.remain.untouched

•. Be.retained.as.a.riding.within.the.boundaries.of.Pictou.County

Proposed change to the constituency of Dartmouth East boundary

•. Supports.the.proposed.change

•. Supports.the.proposed.change.of.adjusting.the.constituency’s.boundary.from.Barry’s.Run.to.include.Waverley.Road.out.to.Spider.Lake

Proposed constituencies of Sackville and Waverley-Fall River-Beaver Bank

•. Entire.community.of.Beaver.Bank,.including.Kinsac,.be.included.with.Sackville.(Middle.and.Upper),.under.the.name.Sackville-Beaver.Bank

Protected constituencies

•. Keep.the.constituency.of.Clare.as.is

•. Maintain.an.Acadian.riding.of.Clare.and.Argyle;.or.look.to.bring.those.ridings.into.Queens.and.Digby.counties

•. Stay.the.course.with.the.status.quo

•. Continue.to.advocate.for.cultural,.linguistic,.and.racial.communities.by.keeping.special.status.for.those.affected.communities

•. Support.for.maintaining.the.“protected.constituencies”

•. Dismayed.at.the.retention.of.the.“protected.constituencies”


Summary of Comments from the Public, July 14–September 6, 2012 (after release of the Revised Interim Report)

A new Dartmouth constituency

•. Named.Dartmouth-Portland.Valley.and.would.include.the.area.bounded.by.Highway.111,.by.Main.Street,.and.the.current.eastern.electoral.boundary.between.the.electoral.district.of.Dartmouth.South-Portland.Valley.and.Cole.Harbour..Major.connector.streets.between.these.two.areas.are.Portland.Estates.Boulevard.to.Spring.Avenue.and.Portland.Hills.Drive.to.Regal.Road

Electoral district of Annapolis

•. Leave.Annapolis.Royal.and.other.affected.communities.in.the.electoral.district.of.Annapolis

•. Hold.a.public.meeting.in.Annapolis.Royal.to.discuss.proposed.changes.to.the.electoral.district.of.Annapolis

•. Changes.to.the.electoral.district.of.Annapolis.may.impact.taxation.rates.and.health.and.education.districts

•. Thank.you.for.holding.an.additional.public.meeting.in.Annapolis.Royal

•. Recognize.the.community.of.interest.in.western.Annapolis.County.and.amend.its.proposed.recommendation.to.return.the.area.from.Bear.River.to.the.Youngs.Mountain.and.Spurr.Roads.back.into.the.same.riding.as.the.rest.of.Annapolis.County

Electoral district of Antigonish

•. Pleased.with.Revised.Interim.Report’s.proposal.for.the.electoral.district.of.Antigonish;.i.e.,.leave.as.is

Electoral district of Bedford-Birch Cove

•. Leave.Bedford.West.in.the.electoral.district.of.Bedford-Birch.Cove

•. Pleased.with.changes.in.the.Revised.Interim.Report.affecting.the.electoral.district.of.Bedford-Birch.Cove

•. Recommend.the.polls.of.1–14.and.46–48.with.their.current.boundaries.could.be.moved


Electoral district of Cape Breton Nova

•. Community.of.Whitney.Pier.should.not.be.awkwardly.and.artificially.divided

•. Add.polls.13–17.to.the.electoral.district.of.Cape.Breton.Nova.from.the.existing.electoral.district.of.Cape.Breton.South

Electoral district of Cape Breton West

•. Strong.objection.to.the.proposed.changes.to.the.electoral.district.of.Cape.Breton.West,.particularly.with.respect.to.the.Gabarus.area

Electoral district of Chester-St. Margaret’s

•. Return.east.side.of.St..Margaret’s.Bay.to.the.electoral.district.of.Chester-St..Margaret’s

•. Electoral.district.of.Colchester.North

•. Pleased.with.proposals.in.the.Revised.Interim.Report.that.impact.the.electoral.district.of.Colchester.North

•. Include.a.portion.of.the.electoral.district.of.Colchester.North.with.the.electoral.district.of.Pictou.West

•. Keep.the.electoral.district.of.Colchester.North.as.is

Electoral district of Cole Harbour

•. Remove.a.small.area.defined.as.the.area.to.the.north.and.west.of.the.intersection.of.Astral.Drive.and.Millbrook.Avenue.from.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Cole.Harbour-Eastern.Passage.to.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Cole.Harbour-Portland.Valley

•. No.changes.to.the.electoral.district.of.Cole.Harbour

•. Include.the.area.known.as.Bel.Ayr

Electoral district of Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage

•. Extend.this.electoral.district.into.the.Fisherman.Cove.and.Woodside.areas


Electoral district of Cumberland North

•. Original.proposal.in.Interim.Report.more.effectively.addresses.the.Commission’s.mandate

•. Include.a.public.meeting.in.Cumberland.County

Electoral district of Dartmouth East

•. Do.not.split.the.electoral.district.along.Main.Street;.maintain.the.Main.Street.Dartmouth.business.district.community.intact

•. Do.not.bisect.the.Montebello.neighbourhoods

•. Rename.the.electoral.district.to.Dartmouth.East-The.Canal.or.Dartmouth.East.and.the.Canal

•. Leave.the.electoral.district.as.is

•. Rename.Preston-Dartmouth.East.and.include.all.of.the.communities.presently.in.the.electoral.district.of.Preston.with.the.exception.of.the.communities.of.Porter’s.Lake.and.Minesville,.which.would.go.the.electoral.district.of.Eastern.Shore

Electoral district of Dartmouth North

•. Pleased.the.boundaries.will.remain.the.same

•. Electoral.district.of.Dartmouth.South-Portland.Valley

•. The.areas.west.of.Highway.111,.known.as.South.Woodside.and.Imperoyal.be.moved.to.the.electoral.district.of.Cole.Harbour-Eastern.Passage.and.be.renamed.Dartmouth.South

Electoral district of Halifax Clayton Park

•. Communities.of.Birch.Cove.and.Prince’s.Lodge.do.not.have.anything.in.common.with.the.residents.of.Clayton.Park

•. Keep.the.Rockingham.area.with.Birch.Cove.and.take.school.districts.into.consideration..The.Willett.Street.area.would.fit.with.the.proposed.Fairview-Clayton.Park.riding


Electoral district of Guysborough-Sheet Harbour

•. Extend.the.electoral.district.to.the.electoral.district.of.Eastern.Shore.and.name.it.Guysborough-Eastern.Shore

Electoral district of Halifax Atlantic

•. Transfer.three.polls.in.and.around.Williams.Lake.Road.from.Halifax.Atlantic.to.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Halifax.Armdale

•. Gain.five.polls.in.and.around.Cowie.Hill.from.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Halifax.Armdale

Electoral district of Halifax Citadel-Sable Island

•. The.polls.between.Jubilee.Road.and.Coburg.Road.should.remain.in.the.electoral.district.of.Halifax.Citadel-Sable.Island

Electoral district of Halifax Needham

•. Transfer.a.poll.south.of.Cornwallis.Street.to.Halifax.Citadel-Sable.Island

•. Subtract.polls.south.of.North.Street.to.Halifax.Chebucto,.which.would.be.renamed.Halifax.Chebucto-Gottingen

•. To.be.renamed.Halifax.Needham-Africville

Electoral district of Hammonds Plains-Upper Sackville

•. Give.Westwood.Hills.and.Haliburton.Heights.to.Hammonds.Plains-Upper.Sackville

•. Keep.the.community.of.Lucasville.in.the.same.electoral.district.as.the.communities.of.Middle.and.Upper.Sackville

Electoral district of Hants East

•. Proposed.boundary.change.regarding.a.portion.of.Enfield.be.reconsidered:.Horne.Settlement.and.Arrow.Head.Park.subdivision


Electoral district of Hants West

•. Place.communities.of.Pigott.Lake,.East.Uniacke,.Lakelands,.Mount.Uniacke,.and.South.Uniacke.in.the.electoral.district.of.Hants.West

Electoral district of Kings North

•. Pleased.that.the.Revised.Interim.Report.maintains.the.current.boundaries.for.Kings.North

Electoral district of Kings South

•. Support.for.the.current.size.of.the.electoral.district

Electoral district of Lunenburg West

•. Revisit.the.proposed.changes.to.Lunenburg.West

•. Any.name.change.for.this.electoral.district.avoid.using.Lunenburg.Centre

•. Revert.to.the.Lunenburg.West.riding.boundaries.that.preceded.the.last.boundary.review

•. Status.quo

Electoral district of Pictou East

•. If.a.change.has.to.be.made,.then.create.two.ridings.in.Pictou

•. Eliminating.the.electoral.district.of.Pictou.East.is.not.in.the.best.interests.of.the.people.of.the.constituency

•. Leave.Westville.in.the.electoral.district.of.Pictou.East

Electoral districts of Queens, Shelburne, and Argyle

•. Consolidate.the.electoral.districts.of.Queens,.Shelburne,.and.Argyle.in.the.effort.to.identify.two.electoral.districts.that.meet.the.expectation.of.relative.parity.among.affected.voters


Electoral district of Sackville-Cobequid

•. Leave.as.is

Electoral district of Timberlea-Prospect

•. Return.Hubley.Wedge,.including.Sheldrake.Lake,.to.the.electoral.district.of.Timberlea-Prospect

•. Transfer.one.poll.from.the.Moody.Lake.Subdivision.from.the.electoral.district.of.Timberlea-Prospect-St..Margaret’s.to.the.electoral.district.of.Halifax.Atlantic

Electoral district of Waverly-Fall River-Beaver Bank

•. Should.be.a.balance.of.electors.with.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Bedford

•. Disagree.with.proposal.to.join.Beaver.Bank.and.Sackville;.Beaver.Bank.and.Fall.River.were.joined.as.communities.and.this.works

Electoral district of Yarmouth

•. Splicing.the.electoral.district.of.Yarmouth.in.half.is.not.the.answer

•. Merge.the.electoral.district.of.Argyle.with.the.electoral.district.of.Queens.and.merge.the.electoral.district.of.Clare.with.the.electoral.district.of.Digby-Annapolis

•. Merge.the.electoral.districts.of.Argyle.and.Clare

•. Thank.you.for.coming.to.Yarmouth

Electoral district size

•. ±25%.must.be.adhered.to.in.the.allocation.of.legislative.seats

•. Pleased.that.the.Revised.Interim.Report.reflects.the.±25%.population.requirement


Electoral system

•. Consider.Proportional.Representation.as.an.electoral.system

•. Use.proportional.representation.to.address.the.concerns.of.the.Acadian.and.African.Nova.Scotia.Communities

General

•. Commission.has.a.phenomenal.job.in.maintaining.fairness.across.the.province

•. Commission.should.recommend.that.the.House.of.Assembly’s.Management.Commission.look.at.increasing.the.constituency.budget.for.large,.rural.areas

•. Commission.reference.the.current.funding.formula.employed.by.Elections.Nova.Scotia,.which.is.strictly.based.on.voters

•. “Cape.Breton”.should.not.be.used.in.any.constituency.names

•. Include.maps.of.each.proposed.constituency.in.the.final.report

•. Government.has.forgotten.there.is.a.rural.attitude,.a.rural.demeanor,.a.rural.perspective.in.Nova.Scotia

•. The.final.report.of.the.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.should.be.subjected.to.a.province-wide.referendum.during.the.next.election

Governance

•. There.is.potential.for.conflict.because.the.Boundary.Commission.is.not.an.outside.agency

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)

•. HRM.remains.under-represented.under.the.proposals.of.the.Revised.Interim.Report;.suggest.that.the.Commission.revert.to.a.recommendation.for.a.52-seat.legislature.and.add.another.seat.in.HRM


Interim Report

•. Be.considered.as.the.Final.Report.of.the.Commission

•. The.findings.and.conclusions.of.the.Interim.Report.must.be.included.and.made.part.of.the.Commission’s.Final.Report

Names of electoral districts

•. Consider.using.the.names.of.Richmond-Port.Hawkesbury,.New.Waterford-Sydney,.and.Mira.River-.Louisbourg.as.names.for.electoral.districts

Number of electoral districts/Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)

•. The.Commission.should.have.eliminated.10.electoral.districts

•. Consider.both.natural.geographic.boundaries.and.the.volume.differences.in.the.electoral.districts

•. A.reduction.in.legislative.seats.isn’t.required.at.this.time

•. A.reduction.in.legislative.seats.is.required

•. Maintain.52.electoral.districts

•. The.Commission.should.consider.a.43.member.House.of.Assembly

•. Reduce.the.number.of.MLAs.to.36

•. The.number.of.MLAs.in.the.Halifax.Regional.Municipality.should.be16.(the.same.as.HRM)

Public meetings

•. Encouraged.to.continue.to.gather.information

Proposed electoral district of Bedford

•. Accept.the.former.Town.of.Bedford.lines.as.the.boundary,.thereby.removing.the.area.of.Larry.Uteck.Drive.along.the.Bedford.Highway.from.Clearwater.Fine.Foods.to.the.Hemlock.Ravine


Proposed electoral district of Cape Breton Southwest

•. “Richmond”.should.be.part.of.the.name

•. This.proposed.electoral.district.should.be.reconsidered.and.returned.to.the.status.quo

•. There.are.no.historic.connections.between.Gabarus,.Belfry,.or.French.Road.with.Port.Hawkesbury

Proposed electoral district of Clayton Park West

•. Return.the.Blue.Mountain-Birch.Cove.Lakes.Regional.Park.area.to.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Clayton.Park.West

•. The.Bayers.Lake.Business.Park.should.be.in.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Clayton.Park.West

•. Add.the.small.residential.block.of.Hamshaw.and.Saskatoon.Drive.to.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Clayton.Park.West

•. Place.the.communities.of.Birch.Cove,.Rockingham,.Cresthaven,.Sheffield,.Wedgewood,.Sherwood.Heights,.and.Sherwood.Park.in.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Clayton.Park.West

•. Willett.Street.(on.the.west.side.Dunbrack.Street).fits.well.with.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Fairview-Clayton.Park

•. Reconsider.where.the.Mount.Royale.subdivision.and.the.area.around.Main.Avenue.and.Washmill.Lake.Drive.fits

•. The.Maskwa.Aquatic.Club.should.stay.within.its.existing.riding

Proposed electoral district of Fairview-Clayton Park

•. Restore.the.eastern.boundary.line.of.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Fairview-Clayton.Park.to.the.current.CN.rail.line

Proposed electoral district of Guysborough-Pictou East

•. Geographically,.it.is.unnecessarily.large

•. Consider.using.the.new.federal.riding.boundaries.from.the.Antigonish-Guysborough.county.line.to.the.Northumberland.Strait


•. Will.be.difficult.to.deal.with.from.a.communications.perspective

•. Keep.three.seats.in.Pictou.County;.i.e.,.status.quo

•. Expand.current.electoral.district.of.Guysborough-Sheet.Harbour.westward.until.it.meets.the.80.to.85%.seat.entitlement

•. Expand.current.electoral.district.of.Eastern.Shore.westward.toward.Halifax.Regional.Municipality

Proposed electoral district of Halifax Armdale

•. Transfer.the.Mount.Royale.subdivision.from.Halifax.Armdale.to.Fairview-Clayton.Park

•. Restore.the.eastern.boundary.line.of.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Fairview-Clayton.Park

•. Be.renamed.Halifax.Northwest.Arm.and.expand.eastward.to.Connaught.Avenue,.continuing.south.along.Connaught.Avenue.to.Jubilee.Road,.and.then.west.along.Jubilee.Road.to.the.Northwest.Arm

Proposed electoral district of Dartmouth-Preston

•. Expand.the.boundary.of.the.proposed.new.electoral.district.by.extending.it.further.down.the.Forest.Hills.Parkway,.as.far.down.as.the.Cole.Harbour.Road

Proposed electoral district of Hammonds Plains-Lucasville

•. Mount.Uniacke.should.not.be.in.the.same.constituency.as.Hammonds.Plains.and.Lucasville

•. These.three.distinct.communities.do.not.logically.fit.together

Proposed electoral district of Lunenburg Centre

•. Modify.the.electoral.boundary.proposed.in.the.Revised.Interim.Report.to.place.Hebbville.Academy.within.the.proposed.electoral.district.of.Lunenburg.Centre


Proposed electoral district of Queens-Lunenburg West

•. Reconsider.this.proposal.based.on.voter.turnouts,.geography.and.no.common.interest.between.the.two.counties

•. Address.the.Maitland.Bridge.issue

Proposed electoral district of Sackville-Beaver Bank

•. Thank.you.for.the.favourable.consideration.given.to.the.proposal.from.Beaver.Bank

•. The.boundary.between.Sackville-Beaver.Bank.and.Sackville-Cobequid.should.continue.to.run.entirely.along.the.Beaver.Bank.Road

Protected Constituencies

•. Commission.got.it.right.with.regard.to.the.Protected.Constituencies

•. Strong.support.for.the.maintenance.of.the.electoral.districts.of.Clare.and.Argyle.as..protected.constituencies

•. Combine.the.electoral.district.of.Argyle.with.the.electoral.district.of.Clare

•. Keep.the.status.quo

•. Eliminate.protected.constituencies

•. Adding.the.Town.of.Port.Hawkesbury.and.northern.Cape.Breton.will.diminish.the.chances.of.electing.another.Acadian.representative

Terms of Reference

•. Consider.boundaries.as.you.see.fit

•. Obtain.a.constitutional.ruling.on.the.validity.of.the.Commission’s.Terms.of.Reference

•. Commission.should.seek.independent.legal.advice.as.to.whether.the.position.of.the.government.regarding.the.terms.of.reference.and.regarding.your.work.was.in.fact.legitimate.or.not


Voter parity

•. Adhere.to.the.principle.of.representation.by.population

•. Applaud.the.government.for.its.initiative.to.have.electoral.boundaries.defined.by.population.as.opposed.to.special.interests

•. Those.electoral.districts.that.currently.meet.parity.should.be.exempt.from.change.if.at.all.possible

•. Maximize.the.25%.rule.for.urban.electoral.districts


Appendix J: Letter from the Hon. Ross Landry, Attorney General, June 14, 2012


Appendix K: Elaboration on Data Sources

The.terms.of.reference.set.for.the.Commission.specify.that.the.most.recent.census.and.other.available.population.data,.as.well.as.demographic.data.relating.to.age,.language,.and.cultural.diversity.are.to.be.used.for.delineating.the.proposed.provincial.electoral.boundaries..Population.count.of.electors—that.is,.Canadian.citizens.who.are.18.years.of.age.and.older,.and.living.in.Nova.Scotia—is.to.be.considered.by.the.Commission.

On.February.8,.2012,.Statistics.Canada.released.the.population.and.dwelling.counts.as.the.result.of.the.national.enumeration.conducted.in.2011.with.the.reference.day.of.May.10,.2011..These.basic.counts.were.reported.on.the.level.of.the.dissemination.block.(DB),.the.smallest.census.geographic.area.

To.obtain.demographic.information.needed.to.calculate.the.population.of.electors.for.the.2012.delineation.of.the.provincial.electoral.boundaries,.the.2006.census.information.and.geography.had.to.be.used.as.the.base,.since.2011.census.demographics.were.not.yet.available.

Elections.Canada.worked.closely.with.Statistics.Canada.in.obtaining.this.demographic.information.for.the.2012.delineation.of.the.federal.electoral.boundaries..To.derive.demographic.data.for.the.2011.dissemination.areas.(DAs)—a.DA.is.a.geographic.unit.composed.of.more.than.one.DB—Statistics.Canada.transposed.the.dissemination.blocks.of.2011.and.2006.census.geography.and.re-summed.the.2006.demographic.data.counts.of.each.DB.into.the.2011.DAs..However,.Statistics.Canada.suppressed.some.data.for.confidentiality.reasons.on.the.DB.level.before.providing.the.demographic.counts.for.a.number.of.geographical.units.to.Elections.Canada.

To.overcome.the.impact.of.the.suppressed.data.and.to.provide.demographic.information.at.the.DB.and.DA.levels,.Elections.Canada.worked.further.on.these.2006.Census.demographics,.now.redistributed.according.to.the.census.geography.of.2011,.and.applied.imputation.methods.to.substitute.the.value.for.geographic.units.with.missing.or.zero.population.in.2006..Elections.Canada.completed.this.work.for.all.of.Canada,.including.Nova.Scotia’s.census.geographic.units.

On.February.16,.2012,.Elections.Canada.provided.Elections.Nova.Scotia.(ENS).with.the.newly.derived.and.adjusted.demographic.data.for.the.province..In.particular,.derived.counts.for.Canadian.citizens.who.are.18.years.of.age.or.older.were.provided.on.the.level.of.the.DA..The.sum.of.this.demographic.count.established.the.total.number.of.electors.in.Nova.Scotia.used.to.derive.the.average.number.of.electors.in.an.electoral.district.

ENS.has.developed.an.electronic.Electoral.Boundaries.Tool.(EBT),.which.is.a.fully.functional.redistribution.application..This.tool.offered.the.Commission,.with.the.support.of.the.ENS.GIS.Analyst,.the.capability.to.prepare.various.boundary.scenarios,.including.the.demographic.information.of.electors.

Using.the.2011.census.DA.geography.and.the.elector.demographic.counts.provided.by.Elections.Canada.for.each.DA,.the.tool.is.able.to.provide,.in.minutes,.the.number.of.electors.within.any.specific.boundary..It.sums.up.the.counts.of.all.DAs.that.are.enclosed.within.the.boundary,.and.wherever.a.DA.is.traversed.


by.the.boundary.and.split.into.two.parts,.the.EBT.uses.the.proportional.distribution.of.registered.electors.within.the.DA.for.calculating.the.elector.count.of.its.parts..The.proportional.distribution.of.electors.is.derived.from.the.spatial.distribution.of.the.residential.civic.addresses.and.the.electors.registered.in.the.Register.of.Electors.as.living.there.as.of.February.2012..The.Register.of.Electors.containing.both.the.addresses.and.the.electors.is.continuously.maintained.up.to.date.by.ENS.


Appendix L: Composition of the Provincial Electoral Boundaries Commission

Composition of the Provincial Electoral Boundaries Commission

To.promote.fairness.and.impartiality,.the.Select.Committee.agreed.that.current.or.former.candidates.or.members.of.federal.or.provincial.legislatures.or.municipal.councils.or.individuals.closely.associated.with.partisan.politics.would.not.be.appointed.to.serve.on.the.Commission.

The.Select.Committee.further.agreed.that.the.Commission.would.broadly.represent.the.population.of.the.province.

The.Select.Committee.agreed.to.appoint.members.to.the.Commission.based.on.their.experience,.skill,.and.commitment.to.ensuring.to.the.greatest.degree.possible.that.Nova.Scotia’s.electoral.boundaries.result.in.effective.representation.for.all.its.citizens.

Based.on.this.understanding,.the.following.individuals.are.appointed.to.the.provincial.Electoral.Boundaries.Commission.

•. Dr..Teresa.MacNeil,.Chair,.Johnstown,.Richmond.County

•. Dr..J..Colin.Dodds,.Vice-chair,.Halifax

•. Dr..Jill.L..Grant,.Dartmouth.(on.May.31,.2012,.Dr..Grant.resigned.from.the.Commission)

•. Dr..James.P..Bickerton,.Antigonish

•. Mr..Douglas.Peach,.Marion.Bridge,.Cape.Breton

•. Mr..Paul.Gaudet,.Saulnierville

•. Mr..Rustum.Southwell,.Bedford

•. Ms..Barbara.Feeney,.Mahone.Bay

Special Circumstances

In.the.event.a.member.of.the.Provincial.Boundaries.Commission.cannot.complete.his.or.her.duties,.the.Select.Committee.will.name.a.replacement..The.Select.Committee.may.also.reconvene.to.address.any.operational.issues.that.may.arise.

N.S. Electoral Boundaries Report (Final)

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Transcript of N.S. Electoral Boundaries Report (Final)