Let Antigonish Decide will not be proceeding with their appeal of a court ruling on the Antigonish consolidation.

The Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruled in December 2023, the town and county had the right to ask the province for permission to amalgamate.

Let Antigonish Decided then appealed that ruling in January.

On behalf of the group, in a press release, Anne Marie Long says they have decided to not ask the public for more funds to continue the legal process.

The merger was a contentious issue that went on for years, with Let Antigonish Decide fighting for the people to have a say.

Legislation moved ahead in March for the town and county to merge into one municipal unit, however, pushing for their voices to be heard, dozens spoke at the legislature.

Minister John Lohr said the department of municipal affairs and housing heard from a significant number of people and simply cannot “ignore the voice of the residents,” and scrapped the bill.

The merger did not proceed.

Long says, “We thank Premier Houston for meeting with, and listening to, over 500 people from the town and county of Antigonish on 2 April 2024. We also thank Minister Lohr for announcing to the Press on 4 April 2024 that, in the future, municipalities will be asked to follow the legislation in the Municipal Government Act for potential mergers of municipalities.”

Long adds, they thank the people of the town and county for their “diligence and unfailing support to engage in this battle to its conclusion.”

She says, the people have effectively won.