A group of citizens is taking the fight against the merger of the ridings of Mont-Royal and Outremont to the next level.
The group is now suing the Director General of the Quebec Elections Commission and the commission itself over the merger.
The group includes former Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, Côte-des-Neiges Notre-Dame-de-Grâce councillor Marvin Rotrand and The Suburban editor Beryl Wajsman.
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They have the support of mayors of the five cities affected: Town of Mount-Royal, Côte Saint-Luc, Côte-des-Neiges Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Outremont and Hampstead.
They argue their residents’ votes will be diluted with the change.
“This is a fundamental injustice and it really must be fought. It will have very significant implications for us in the future,” Hampstead mayor Bill Steinberg said.
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Prominent constitutional lawyer Julius Grey believes they have a case.
Grey says the lawsuit is based on the issue of fair representation.
The group has gathered about $26,000 to finance the legal fight.
Contributions came from affected cities and their residents.
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“Every day in the mail cheques are coming in, and we’re calling on the public to help us,” Rotrand said.
Global News reached out to Quebec’s electoral commission, but officials declined an interview.
Both parties will meet June 19 to fix a hearing date.
The group hopes a ruling will come through before the next provincial election in fall 2018.
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