Mandate of the 2011 Select Committee on Establishing an Electoral Boundaries Commission

RESOLUTION NO. 1846

Whereas the House of Assembly Act requires the appointment of an independent Electoral Boundaries Commission no later than December 31, 2012, to recommend the boundaries and names for the electoral districts comprising this House; and

Whereas the House of Assembly Act requires the appointment of the commission and the issuance of its terms of reference by a select committee of this House and requires that the terms of reference provide that the commission is broadly representative of the population of the province, that the commission prepare a preliminary report and hold public hearings prior to preparing the preliminary report, and that following the preparation of the preliminary report the commission hold further public hearings prior to preparing its final report; and

Whereas the House of Assembly Act requires that the final report of the commission be laid before this House, and that within 10 sitting days after the final report is tabled in this House the government introduce legislation to implement the recommendations contained in the final report;

Therefore be it resolved as follows:

  • (1)  that pursuant to Section 5(3) of the House of Assembly Act and the Rules and Forms of Procedure of the House of Assembly, this House constitute a select committee to determine no later than December 31, 2011,
    • (a)  the composition of an independent Electoral Boundaries Commission; and
    • (b)  the terms of reference for the commission;
    • (2)    (a)  that the Select Committee be composed of the following members of this House:
      • (i)  The Honourable Ross Landry
      • (ii)  Gary Ramey, MLA
      • (iii)  Michele Raymond, MLA
      • (iv)  Leonard Preyra, MLA
      • (v)  Jim Boudreau, MLA
      • (vi)  The Honourable Michel Samson
      • (vii)  Andrew Younger, MLA
      • (viii)  The Honourable Christopher d'Entremont
      • (ix)  Keith Bain, MLA
    • (b)  that the Honourable Ross Landry be the Chairman of the Select Committee;
  • (3)  that the select committee consult as many interested persons as it reasonably can, including persons of Acadian, African Nova Scotian and Mikmaq communities;
  • (4)  that pursuant to Section 36(1) of the House of Assembly Act, this House declare that the select committee is not dissolved by prorogation of the House and authorize the select committee to continue its inquiries after the House is prorogued; and
  • (5)  that the House request that pursuant to Section 80 of the House of Assembly Act and the House of Assembly Management Commission Act, the House of Assembly Management Commission provide the select committee, its members and staff with such facilities and funds as are required to carry out their duties.