A commission looking to redraw Nova Scotia’s electoral map is calling for the restoration of four electoral districts aimed at improving representation for black and Acadian voters.
Commission chairman Colin Dodds says the challenge remains to balance effective representation with voter parity.
The commission’s interim report was released Wednesday following a province-wide public consultation process in September that considered five draft proposals.
Dodds says a further set of public consultations in January and February will present four alternatives for consideration.
One proposes 51 electoral districts with minor adjustments to existing boundaries, while another proposes 55 electoral districts which include the four formerly protected districts.
A third proposes 55 electoral districts with a 56th dual member seat for Inverness, where one of the two members would represent Acadian voters, and the fourth proposes 56 electoral districts which would include an added district for the Acadian community of Cheticamp.