Municipalities drop political map lawsuit idea

The warden in Barrington, N.S., says five municipal councils in Shelburne County will not go to court to try to stop changes to the electoral boundary map.

Eddie Nickerson said a court challenge would cost at least $75,000 and lawyers have told the various councils they doubt municipal governments can successfully challenge the province.

"An injunction would have cost, what we’ve been told, is $75,000 to $100,000," he said.

However, Nickerson said he thinks each council should back the Acadian Federation, which is trying to have changes to the electoral map overturned. 

The federation argues the changes will mute the voice of French-speaking people in the ridings of Clare, Argyle and Richmond, which are among those being merged with neighbouring electoral districts.

It's mandatory that the electoral boundaries are reviewed every 10 years.