Graham Steele says it’s up to an independent commission to consider the fate of Acadian representation in an upcoming electoral-boundary review.

And the minister responsible for Acadian Affairs said fears over the “loss” of the three Acadian-designated ridings are premature.

“The legislative committee has adopted a variation of 25 per cent, which is as large or larger than any variation allowed (in Canada),” said Steele, speaking at the unveiling of a new Acadian licence plate Monday in Lower Sackville. “The choices about how to recognize Acadian within those guidelines is up to the independent commission.”

The province is required by law to undertake a boundary review every 10 years. The review is undertaken by an arm’s-length commission, the terms of reference decided by an all-party committee of the legislature.

That committee said in December the number of electors in each riding must fall within 25 per cent of the average. That’s an issue for the Acadian ridings of Clare, Argyle and Richmond, as well as the African Nova Scotian riding of Preston, which have significantly fewer electors than other ridings.

Opposition parties and Acadian groups have expressed concern that requiring the 25 per cent variance effectively kills those ridings ‘ Preston, for example, has about half the number of electors as neighbouring Dartmouth East.

“We see this as a great defeat for the community. It’s four steps back,” said Ron Robichaud, president of La Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Monday.