N.S. Supreme Court rules Chéticamp should have protected Acadian electoral district
After a Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruling, residents in and around Chéticamp may soon be voting in a new riding in the next provincial election. The court decided that the northern Cape Breton area deserves to have a special Acadian electoral district, citing the lack of a protected district for Chéticamp as an unjustified breach of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The provincial electoral boundaries commission has been given 20 months to draw up the new riding.
Jules Chaisson, executive director of the Acadian group Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, expressed his satisfaction with the ruling after a long struggle. He emphasized the importance of preserving the unique identity of the Chéticamp region and ensuring representation in the legislative assembly. Chaisson highlighted the historical significance of Chéticamp as an Acadian community within the province.
Chéticamp is currently located in Inverness County, part of the Inverness electoral district. The new riding is expected to include not only the village of Chéticamp but also the surrounding areas such as Petit-Étang, Belle-Marche, Plateau, Point Cross, Grand-Étang, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, Terre-Noire, Cap-le-Moine, Belle-Côte, and East Margaree.
The battle for a protected district for Chéticamp dates back to 2012 when an electoral boundaries commission report recommended maintaining protected seats for minorities but excluded Chéticamp. Despite efforts by the federation to challenge this decision, subsequent commission reports continued to overlook the cultural and linguistic specificities of Chéticamp.
Chaisson emphasized the unique culture and community of Chéticamp, stressing the importance of protecting it like other ridings. While the court ruling marks a significant milestone, Chaisson acknowledged that there is a possibility of the province appealing the decision, indicating that this is just the beginning of the process.
As the province navigates through this legal battle, the residents of Chéticamp and the surrounding areas remain hopeful for a fair representation in the legislative assembly. The fight for a special Acadian electoral district continues, with the community’s identity and heritage at the forefront of the discussion.
This news comes as a significant development in the ongoing efforts to uphold minority rights and representation in the Nova Scotia Legislature. The residents of Chéticamp eagerly await the implementation of the new riding, which will finally recognize and protect their cultural and linguistic heritage.
