New Nova Scotia riding honours Acadian population in Chéticamp area

The Nova Scotia legislature introduced new legislation that will divide the Inverness riding into two ridings.

The Nova Scotia legislature will grow from 55 to 56 seats after the introduction of new legislation that will divide the Inverness riding into two ridings to better represent the Acadian population in the Chéticamp area.

Amendments made to the Elections Act and House of Assembly Act will pave the way for the creation of the Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay riding, which will be the fourth protected Acadian riding, including Argyle, Clare and Richmond.

“It’s a historic day for the legislature and for Acadian Nova Scotians,” said Attorney General and Justice Minister Scott Armstrong.

Acadians are recognized as the first European settlers in Nova Scotia. Armstrong said the new riding honours their rich culture and traditions.

Inverness MLA Kyle MacQuarrie will continue to represent that riding, said Armstrong, and a byelection will be held for the new seat.

According to election regulations, an election must be called within six months after the bill passes in the House of Assembly, which will grow to 56 seats.

The attorney general believes Premier Tim Houston will call the election for the new seat as soon as possible.

“I would expect a byelection in a timely fashion,” said Armstrong. “We don’t want to have a new constituency in Nova Scotia that doesn’t have representation. So, I think you’ll see it sooner than later.”

There are 3,889 registered voters in the new Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay riding, making it the smallest riding by electoral size in the province.

The Inverness riding has 10,609 electors and will continue to be served by MacQuarrie until the next general election is called, said Armstrong, to create as little disruption as possible.

“This was really about Chéticamp and providing them representation and the process that was put in place by the boundaries commission will do that,” said Armstrong.

None of the province’s three main parties have declared candidates yet.

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