After a short debate, the Nova Scotia legislature has agreed to strike a select committee that would set the terms of reference for new electoral boundaries in the province.
The debate was made necessary after the Conservatives voted against a motion introduced Monday that required unanimous consent.
The Tories were looking for equal representation on the nine-member committee because they say it will be making decisions outside of the legislature.
But deputy premier Frank Corbett says the committee is the same as previous committees that have advised the independent commission that will redraw the electoral map.
Mr. Corbett says the committee will soon begin a series of public meetings and will report back to the legislature before the end of the year
He expects the commission will be struck early in the new year and under house rules the boundaries must be set by the end of 2012.