The town and county of Antigonish are another step closer to consolidation.
Housing Minister John Lohr says he agrees with consolidation, in legislature Tuesday morning, as he tabled the bill.
He says it allows the historic municipalities “to work together in new and innovative ways” for long-term growth.
The town and county voted 5-4 last month to consolidate, after years of debate, but needed special legislation first.
Late last year, a Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruled the town and county had the legal right to ask the province for permission to consolidate.
This has been a contentious issue and residents have been fighting for a vote on the matter.
There have been two surveys, since last March, conducted by MainStreet Research, where the majority of residents said they wanted to have a vote on the merger.
Over 300 people attended a meeting Sunday, hosted by the group “Let Antigonish Decide”.
They signed a petition, with over 4,200 signatures to be presented to the house, in order to have a say.
The province says a transition coordinating committee will be established, consisting of the transition coordinator, the mayor and deputy mayor of the town, and the warden and deputy warden of the county.
The consolidation bill will continue through the legislative process.
If it is passed, the two units are expected to consolidate into the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, by November 1.
