Commission Seeks Public Input on Electoral Boundaries

The commission reviewing Nova Scotia's electoral boundaries is holding a series of public meetings around the province. A schedule for the first round of public meetings was released today, March 1.

The Electoral Boundaries Commission also launched a website where Nova Scotians can ask questions and submit comments. All submissions forwarded to the commission will be viewed as public documents and may become part of the its published reports.

"We look forward to hearing from a wide cross-section of Nova Scotia voters, as public feedback on electoral boundaries is critical as we make our recommendations," said Teresa MacNeil, chair of the commission. "We want what we hear from Nova Scotians to be reflected in our report, and to make sure our recommendations take all concerns into consideration."

Feedback from the meetings and submissions will be used to compile the commission's interim report, due May 31.

Public meetings are scheduled for:

• Lower Sackville: Thursday, March 15, 7–9 p.m., Sackville Fire Hall, 1 Metropolitan Ave.
• Dartmouth: Friday, March 16, 6–8 p.m., Cole Harbour Place, 51 Forest Hills Parkway
• Halifax: Saturday, March 17, 1–3 p.m. Quality Inn and Suites, 980 Parkland Dr.
• Cherry Brook: Saturday, March 17, 6–8 p.m., Black Cultural Centre, 10 Cherry Brook Rd.
• Middleton: Saturday, March 24, 1–3 p.m., Nova Scotia Community College, Annapolis Valley Campus, 295 Commercial St.
• Amherst: Saturday, March 31, 1–3 p.m., Wandlyn Inn, Highway 104, Exit 3
• Stellarton: Saturday, March 31, 7–9 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 86 Lawrence Blvd.
• Louisdale: Friday, April 13, 6–8 p.m., Louisdale and District Fire Hall, Grand Anse
• Sydney: Saturday, April 14, 1–3 p.m., Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, 50 Maillard St.
• Baddeck: Saturday, April 14, 6–8 p.m., Inverary Resort, 368 Shore Rd.
• Tusket: Thursday, April 19, 6–8 p.m., 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., Nova Scotia Community College, Lunenburg Campus, 75 High St.

French interpretation services will be provided at the meetings in Halifax, Louisdale, Tusket and Church Point/Point-de-l'Église.

A second round of public meetings will be held after the interim report is released. The final report and recommendations will be submitted by Aug. 31.

Under the House of Assembly Act, an electoral boundary review is required after every 10-year census to reflect population shifts and to adjust electoral boundaries if necessary. Terms of reference were set by a select committee of the House of Assembly after consultation around the province.

For more information or to submit feedback visit http://nselectoralboundaries.ca .