“These communities saw an opportunity to increase their population and enhance their financial standing by combining resources,” Minister Sheridan said. “The province applauds the vision of community leaders, who saw they could make a brighter future for their residents by becoming stronger together.”

The two municipalities submitted a request for amalgamation to the province earlier this year. Bedeque was first incorporated in 1978 and has a current population of 143, and Central Bedeque began life in 1966 and has a population of 167; the combined municipality of Bedeque and Area will have 310 people.

The new council members – which were elected on November 3 from two wards representing the former Bedeque and Central Bedeque – are Ron Rayner (chair), Rob Green, Tony Lockhart, Hance Lord, Don MacFarlane, Scott Smallwood and Susan Whelan. They will be sworn in November 17, the day the amalgamation becomes official.