Local riding kept on the hook

Mcneil still undecided on date for Truro area byelection

TRURO, N.S. – Four months after the resignation of Truroarea MLA Lenore Zann, Premier Stephen Mcneil has yet to a call a byelection to replace her.

And that does not sit well with NDP leader Gary Burrill.

“I think the premier could have called a byelection for Truro-bible Hill-millbrook-salmon River much sooner,” Burrill told the Truro News. “There were lots of opportunities to call it.”

Zann tendered her resignation from the provincial NDP on Sept. 12 so she could run as a candidate in the federal election.

And while Burrill said he understands why the premier did not want to announce a byelection in the midst of a federal campaign, there has been lots of opportunity since.

“There was a real window there when the election could have been called and held before the Christmas season piled in,” he said.

Asked last week about the issue during a scrum outside the provincial legislature, Mcneil told reporters no date will be announced until after Feb. 6. That date marks when the resignation of Cape Breton Centre MLA Tammy Martin comes into effect.

“I’m not sure yet,” Mcneil said. “So, it will be sometime after that.”

The premier added that he “… more than likely” will just call the two byelections at the same time.”

From Burrill’s perspective, however, Zann’s former constituents are losing out on the potential for valuable assistance because there is no constituency office available for them.

Although Burrill said he was not suggesting the Truro area is being disregarded by the provincial government, the fact there is no local office for them to take their concerns to, is an issue.

“I think having a representative is a very important thing,” he said. “There are all kinds of things that people need the help of a constituency office with.”

That could include providing general advocacy assistance for dealing with a government office or any number of other issues, he said.

The province is legally required to hold a byelection to replace an MLA within six months of the post being vacant. In Truro’s case, that period will be up on March 12.

Former Stewiacke councillor Matthew Rushton, who plans to run as an Independent for the riding, and Conservative Party candidate Dave Ritcey have both previously called out the premier for not already setting a byelection date.

Kathleen Kevany will be representing the NDP when the election is called while Allan Kennedy will be representing the Liberal Party. Ivan Drouin will be contesting the seat for the Green Party.