MLA calls for review

NDP member ponders legal action

The possibility of a provincial election without a review of Nova Scotia’s electoral boundaries is prompting a veteran NDP member of the legislature to consider taking the Liberal government to court.

Sterling Belliveau, a cabinet minister in the former NDP government of Premier Darrell Dexter, says he’s in the process of talking to lawyers about possible legal action.

In an interview Wednesday, Belliveau said he is acting of his own accord and not on behalf of his party.

“We will see what the future brings but I hope other people join in the parade,’’ he said.

Last week the Opposition Progressive Conservatives said they were considering legal options after a court ruling recently found that a previous boundary redrawing by the former NDP government violated the voter rights section of the Charter of Rights.

The Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia took court action after the 2012 boundary change eliminated three protected Acadian districts.

Belliveau voted against the boundary changes while in government because they also split his then district of Shelburne, merging half with Queens County and the other half with the Barrington area.

“I said you can’t do that without consultation and I truly believe when you do something like that it affects a lot of people,’’ said Belliveau. “This (review) is a proper process that needs to be followed and our Charter of Rights gives us those protections.’’