Residents for and against Antigonish merger have their say in Province House

The Houston government is hearing from both sides in the debate over a bill that will allow the Town of Antigonish to merge with the county that surrounds it.

The proposed law would pave the way for both councils to complete their controversial plan to consolidate, formally set in motion in the fall of 2022 when local politicians voted in favour of combining their municipal units. A group of residents then banded together to launch a legal challenge of those council votes.

One of the 27 people directly involved in that court case, Anne-Marie Long, urged the Houston government on Monday not to push ahead with Bill 407 until an independent study on the pros and cons of a merger can be completed and the issue is put to a plebiscite. She also said it should not happen until a judge hands down a decision on the court challenge.

"To allow municipal units to consolidate and change the form of governance without an independently ordered study to determine what's in the best interests of the affected population, and without a vote from the people, is, in my humble opinion, an abuse of process," Long told the province's law amendments committee in Halifax. "I'm an accountant, for God's sake I want to know what the benefits are."

"So far all we've heard is this is going to be better, climate is going to be better, we can get better housing. But show us the facts. You would never buy a business the way this is being conducted."

That sentiment was echoed by Terry Penny, also part of a pro-plebiscite group called Let Antigonish Decide.

'My voice needs to be heard'

"I believe that any decision on consolidation can only be made after a thorough study of the risks and benefits are conducted," Penny told the all-party committee. "Consolidation will impact us today and into the future."

"This should not and cannot be a decision of council alone. The voice of the people, my voice needs to be heard."

Antigonish resident Noreen Nunn made a similar plea, via video link.

"This legislation and the move toward consolidation is being made without the direct input of the people who live there," said Nunn. "We have a right to be informed. We have a right to vote before you decide something as significant as dissolving a community with such a history."

But two of the key players involved,  Mayor of Antigonish Laurie Boucher and the Warden of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, Owen McCarron, both dismissed claims the merger hadn't been properly examined or that people hadn't been adequately consulted.

McCarron called it misinformation.

'Change is inevitable'

"We conducted one of the most extensive, accessible and comprehensive municipal-public engagement our province has ever seen," said Boucher. "I understand the change is difficult, but change is inevitable and I wholeheartedly believe that this is the right move for our community."

"To say no financial assessments were made, is yet more misinformation," said McCarron. "Financial assessments have been completed and were available throughout our consultation period."

Boucher urged the PC government to push through the proposed law, despite the opposition.

"Our councils are looking forward five, 10, 20 years and I'm confident the positive impacts will have on our municipal service delivery, infrastructure investment and enhancement of urban and rural areas in our community."

Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood offered her support to her council colleagues, praising them for holding firm in the face of fierce opposition.

"I've watched these community leaders go through the hate talk, the ugly vitriol, blatant harassment, the outright abuse that, in my opinion, should have led to a number of people being charged," Moody said via video link from Yarmouth. "They stood their ground, and if you've never been in a position like this, it's the ultimate test of one's integrity and belief in what you're doing."