Electoral review gets it right, and wrong

The NDP applauds the Electoral Commission for maintaining the district of Evangeline-Miscouche in it’s current size to protect Acadian culture on the Prince Edward Island, but we insist government and the commission continue to miss an opportunity to add indigenous voices to the Legislature.

We cannot simply apologize for the ills of colonization; truth and reconciliation is also about action and adding indigenous voices to the Legislature would ensure the Mi’kmaq people on the Island have a say in the legislative process.

The only electoral district unaffected by change was Evangeline-Miscouche.

This district is an anomaly due to cultural reasons. The district has a large Francophone population and the establishment of the district in the last boundary review was seen as a way to protect Acadian culture on the Island.

We completely agree that protecting Acadian culture on P.E.I. is important, but who is speaking in the Legislature on behalf of the Mi’kmaq people.

There has never been a more important time to listen, learn and act with an indigenous lenses.

Mike Redmond, NDP Leader,

Prince Edward Island