Respect electoral boundaries commission, PC leadership candidates say

The candidates for the leadership of Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative party expressed their support last week for the Acadian community in its efforts to restore the province’s minority ridings.

The issue came up Thursday night in Tusket as part of the candidates’ third leadership debate, where they were asked for their position on re-establishing the Acadian ridings, given the ruling by the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal that the elimination of the ridings was unconstitutional.

“We need to protect distinct communities, so we need to find a way to make that happen,” said Tim Houston, MLA for Pictou East and one of the five people vying to become Nova Scotia’s next PC leader. “There’s a process going on right now and the end result of that will have to protect the distinct communities, which is what they deserve, so I support that and I will work in the legislature to make that happen.”

Julie Chaisson spoke of the need for cultural and heritage preservation, saying, “The French culture in our province is very important.” Doing away with the minority ridings is inconsistent with that view, she said.

“I would not support anything that would diminish our cultures and push them to one side,” she said.

Said fellow candidate Cecil Clarke, “What caused the problem that the Acadians had to go to court in the first place? Political meddling by an NDP minister.” He was referring to the boundary review process conducted in 2012, The Nova Scotia PC leadership candidates following their July 12 debate in Tusket. From left, Tim Houston, Julie Chaisson, John Lohr, Elizabeth SmithMcCrossin and Cecil Clarke. when the initial recommendation from the commission reviewing the boundaries at that time was that the minority ridings should be maintained. The NDP government of the day rejected that, however, and eventually the minority, or protected, ridings were eliminated.

Clarke said the next commission that will examine the electoral boundaries should be allowed to do its job and he encouraged people to attend the commission’s meetings and make sure their voice is heard.

“A wrong can be righted now and it should be righted,” said Clarke, mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality and a former Tory MLA and cabinet minister.

PC leadership candidate Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, MLA for Cumberland North, cited the minority riding issue as an example of how citizens need to be consulted before decisions are made.

“Politics needs to be taken out of so many decisions,” she said. “Decisions should be made based on what is right for the people. And in government ... we shouldn’t be making decisions based on what’s going to be best for us politically. We should be making decisions based on what is right for you, the people we represent.”

Candidate John Lohr echoed some of the remarks made by others and he congratulated Nova Scotia’s Acadian federation (FANE) for its successful court challenge regarding the minority ridings. He said it’s important to respect the work of the commission that will review the electoral boundaries.

“And we certainly respect the integrity and the vision and cultural identity of the Acadian community,” said Lohr, MLA for Kings North. “We’re very fortunate to have the Acadian (community) here and we want to see it represented adequately in the legislature.”

Aside from the issue of minority ridings, the leadership candidates discussed questions pertaining to health care, education, marine protected areas and the size of government/tax reduction.

Further debates are scheduled for Aug. 9 in the Sydney area, Sept. 11 in Bridgewater and Oct. 10 in Truro. The PC leadership convention will be held in Halifax in late October.

Western Counties Regional Library has a set of tool kits for individuals and families living with autism thanks to a partnership with Autism Nova Scotia and public libraries.

“Such partnerships are very important for libraries and for the community,” says regional library director Erin Comeau. “By working closely with organizations like Autism Nova Scotia, we are able to engage experts to help develop useful collections for our patrons.”

The kits are called Autism Tools and provide community members with the opportunity to test many of the support products and tools available before buying or creating their own.

There are 3 sets of Autism Tools kit bags available for borrowing from the library: Sensory Tools, Visual Tools and Fidget Tools.

The tools cover all demographics and aspects of life.

“Families and individuals in the autism community of all ages will find the tools and resources on offer useful whether they’re at school, work or home,” says Cynthia Carroll, executive director of Autism Nova Scotia.

Autism Nova Scotia’s relationship with libraries allowed the non- profit organization’s staff the freedom to invent ¬¬– hence a tool kit that promises to improve the daily lives of many people.

“People in rural areas do not always get access to the information and services that are readily available in urban centres,” Comeau says. “By collaborating with established organizations, we are better able to give individuals the opportunity to access resources and information that have the potential to benefit them in their daily lives.”

Comeau adds that libraries are working with various partners to provide enhanced services and opportunities to the public.

Autism Tools kit bags can be checked out by any Western Counties Regional Library member the same as books, DVDs, and other special library items. People can borrow and place holds through westerncounties. ca or talk to staff at their local library branch.