by Chris D'Entremont, MLA Argyle
I thought I’d share my thoughts and some information about the new boundaries proposed recently by the 2012 Boundary Commission.
For the past 11 months, I have been fighting to maintain strong Acadian representation in the legislature, by voting against the resolution that started this process on October 31st, 2011.
We were the only opposition caucus that understood it would give unprecedented power to the Standing Committee that was to pick commission members and set a terms of reference.
During the last two processes, the Legislature itself debated resolutions that set up a clear set of rules, like taking in consideration geography, cultural differences and history before trying to make all constituencies equal.
This is a right that stems from our very own constitution. I believe that effective representation is much more complicated than setting a minimum and maximum of total electors.
The NDP members of the committee moved to set terms of reference that would eliminate “protected” ridings. I dissented against these terms of reference back in December because I knew it would erase the concept of minority rights.
I was very proud of Argyle constituents and Acadians in Clare and Richmond for coming out, fighting for good representation in the Legislature and speaking about how having Acadian MLAs helps keep the distinct culture and language vibrant in Nova Scotia. This lead to a very favourable interim report from the Commission that kept our communities in South West Nova Scotia in tact.
This was a tremendous victory that lasted for only a short time until the Minister of Justice and Premier came out and squashed the work, saying it ran against the terms of reference.
The Commission was then compelled to rewrite the report, which then caused great concern in Yarmouth because it recommended splitting up the county in two. The community came out and made the Commission aware that this was not acceptable to the area and that they should go back and try again.
Try again they did! In the final report from the Boundary Commission it recommended splitting Shelburne County into two new areas, Argyle – Barrington and Queens – Shelburne leaving Yarmouth together.
While, on paper, this may seem reasonable, the voices of the Municipality of Barrington have not yet been heard. So before too much time passes, I would ask residents of the municipality to let their voices be heard by dropping me an email [email protected] so I can bring them to the government and be ready when boundary Legislation is introduced and debated in the House of Assembly.
This was done by the NDP government as they were unwilling to listen to people who actually know their communities.
Blindly they dictated a terms of reference that would, as a side effect, impact neighbouring communities to the minority ones. Darrell Dexter, Ross Landry and Sterling Belliveau were very well aware of the outcome, as they tried to influence it at every opportunity.
Comments
Remember this guy was a Cabinet Minister for Rodney MacDonald, so he doesn't have a lot of insight into what responsible government looks like.
The great irony here is Chris has been complimenting the Boundaries Committee throughout. He is happy to see Shelburne split up. I'm sure D'Entremont has been manipulating the Acadian members on the Boundaries Committee the entire time. Unfortunately PC corruption still exists today, even though that government is long gone.
parent... is there some inside information you can share about this manipulation of the Commission?
Chris' statements about Sterling are only election talk made in the event that he will have to run against Sterling. Take it for what it is. Chris remember what is said on the floor is protected, what is said outside is not. Unsubstantiated gossip just makes you look bad.
To put it politely, many of us are more than a little peeved about bad advice we're receiving.
Sterling advised us to contact the commission about our concerns on the proposed Liverpool/Shelburne riding.
We followed his advice, only to have the commission's director advise us to contact our MLA, as their work ended the day the report landed on Dexter's desk.
Who is passing the buck here - Sterling?
Surely he knew the commission couldn't help us at this late date. Have we been set up for another fall?
Leger is on the ball today:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/142124-leger-electoral-boundaries-a...
Kimber tells it like it is too:
http://metronews.ca/voices/urban-compass-halifax/388857/darrell-dexters-...
If I recall, Mr. D'Entremont was very strongly against the split of Yarmouth. I belive in this regard he said to the commission the Premier could "go to hell." But when it comes to splitting up Shelburne, he is still thinking about it. People in Shelburne County need to know that Chris will always be working for Yarmouth and Argyle. He isn't much concerned about what happens in Barrington. Another reason we need to keep Shelburne county united.
To be sure Chris is only interested in his own fold and any part of Shelburne County will never be included it.
Right now those seeking municipal election appear to spell bound by this "provincial"electorial proposed change.I hope it is not a means of hiding from the municipal issues.The arm chair politicians are not helping things either!
No matter how you slice it, Sterling is not communicating with even the MoB warden, let alone the commoners.
During yesterday's CJLS discussion on the boundaries dispute, George El-Jakl described how he called Sterling Tuesday, Sterling later returned his call, and explained he had just heard the news and would get back to him when he knew more.
As of Sunday morning, George was still waiting for that return call - something is wrong when even Sterling's former council is being kept in the dark.
Sterling says he was blindsided - really?