Official Sydney and Area Projects Thread [Archive] - Page 3

Smevo

Apr 3, 2008, 5:41 AM

Cape Breton Post

I have some stuff to rebut this opinion piece with. :cheers:
Building debt without new resources could be precursor to tougher times ahead

Section: Comment

Since the amalgamation of eight municipalities more than 10 years ago, we all know the rubber hits the road every time the Cape Breton Regional Municipality strikes its annual budget. Owing to our complex fiscal situation, striking a municipal budget comes down to what some might call rock-and-a-hard-place politics.

If it is the role of this level of government to attract new people to reverse the region's declining tax base, striking a credible budget is a crucial exercise for council.

This government believes it cannot wait to address a deteriorating infrastructure: it cannot wait to repair some of the worst roads in the province; it cannot wait to fix deteriorating sewers, sidewalks and signage; it cannot wait to repair declining parks and recreational facilities; it cannot wait to make the necessary investments to modernize the use of the Sydney Harbour.

These are just some of the exigencies we must face if we are to survive as a viable urban centre.

But not every demand from the more than 100 communities that come under this government can be satisfied by a $121 million operating budget.

This part of the island has lost much of its industrial tax base as well as the wages paid by these industries that were traditionally spent in our local economy. CBRM's budget reflects our recessionary economy.

To complicate matters, our population is shrinking, leaving fewer, older, and many retired taxpayers on fixed incomes to carry the burden of supporting this government.

To paraphrase one American president: "Blessed are our seniors for they shall inherit the municipal debt."

Successive councils have learned that budgeting for CBRM involves the even distribution of dissatisfaction in all communities. Given what is happening to our population, we can't continue to spend when there isn't any money.

The option to borrow money may not be the best course, as tempting as it might be to believe we will be better off down the road.

But there are no new enterprises to replace the lucrative anchors we have lost.

The local economy is not "turning the corner," as some would have us believe. It's good to remember that the slogan Herbert Hoover used to get elected U.S. president in 1928, "Prosperity is just around the corner," led us into the Great Depression, starting in 1929. The economic growth that isn't happening now is not going to pull us out of this dive by the next budget.

Many believe that winning CBRM's constitutional case against the province, which is now before the Nova Scotia Supreme Court, will automatically raise our revenue profile. Such a decision would force the province to reconsider what adequate transfers should be made to bring CBRM to national standards. But a favourable decision does not necessarily fix our cash flow problems.

Losing the case will place us back to Square 1, where property and business tax increases are inevitable and cuts to programs will have to be built into the budget. No one wants this. It is an unfortunate possibility.

This budget miraculously contains no tax increases or services cuts. But to accomplish this, the budget includes a borrowing component.

Most of the council voted to add just over $20 million to CBRM's debt. By this time next year the taxpayers of CBRM will owe creditors more than $105 million.

Because of the extent of our current debt, we will lose the benefit of more than $3 million in gasoline tax revenues which will go to servicing the debt rather than to funding capital projects in CBRM. Other municipalities in the province can use this federal money to their advantage; we cannot, and will be placed at a further disadvantage.

We are borrowing money to sustain a municipal lifestyle we think we deserve. But borrowing money because we lack sufficient income is like a steroid: there is a short-term boost followed by long-term withdrawal. It's like borrowing money to buy food. At some point in the future the bank will involuntarily put us on a starvation diet.

Conventional wisdom dictates that budgets should be balanced, except in cases where emergency events force a government to borrow to meet costs. While all projects at this level of government look to be essential and worthy of funding, we may be at the point where the crash test dummies are about to hit the wall.

We will need to take a penetrating glance at what we are doing in these important matters of fiscal management if we are to survive with any credibility as an urban community.

Sooner or later we will have to make our local government fit the size of our economy. Given what we know for sure about revenue sources for CBRM, the process of budgeting will have to include saying no.

That might mean saying no to certain infrastructure investments, arterial and collector road repairs, and recreational projects. They are all important to us but not affordable from our revenues.

Councillor Ray Paruch may not be wrong about CBRM losing its life support systems. If we don't die, as he believes we might, our community is going to have a near-death experience.

Jim Guy, PhD, is a professor of political science at Cape Breton University.

"The local economy is not "turning the corner," as some would have us believe."
*cough*
Housing starts in 2007 represented a 32.5% increase over 2006, and in the first two months of 2008 have increased 125% over the first two months last year (though a historically slow time of year).
I don't have comparative data for MLS sales, unfortunately, but for absorbtion of completed units, I do.
2006 saw a 39.5% drop in absorbtion rates, however, the final half of 2007 saw an 89% increase in absorbtion over the same period of 2006, almost negating a weak first half of 2007 with a year total rate 4.25% less than 2006. Median housing prices increased 3.4% in 2006 and another 7.2% in 2007 for absorbed units. Average prices increased slightly less than 1% in 2006, but increased 8.7% in 2007. As far as mulitple-unit residential buildings go, availability rates dropped from 7.3% in 2005, to 5.2% in 2006, to 4.0% in 2007! Vacancy rates dropped from 6.8% in 2005, to 4.7% in 2006, to 3.9% in 2007! The vacancy rate is the lowest it's been since 1989. None of these things on their own point to anything significant, but in combination, it's all a very good sign! If these aren't good indications of turning the corner along with the recent improvement in the labour participation market and unemployment rates (though both still bad) after these same areas were in decline for decades, I don't know what is!
One correlation I've found in all this stats studying is there seems to be a correlation between the Post running stories about the "continual decline" and the area actually declining. In other words, stop the doom and gloom and look for more indicators other than a two year old census! Just because it was the case doesn't make us doomed to follow the same path until the end of time!

[/rant]

Keep the pressure on for province to approve BEd program for CBU

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

The time is drawing near for the government to make its decision on whether to grant Cape Breton University the right to provide its own Bachelor of Education program. I still can't get over that this is being debated.

The provincial government wants to stop out-migration yet many of this province's students travel to other provinces and even the United States to get education degrees. Many from Cape Breton do so, and when they get their degrees a large percentage of them do not come back to Cape Breton.

The agreement between CBU and Memorial University has been a good way for CBU to raise its profile and allow for students to stay at home, or closer to home, to get degrees in education. This agreement allows Memorial to collect some $400,000 in tuition which should stay at CBU.

I have been told by staff at CBU that many of the key recommendations of the teacher education review panel mirror the practices under the CBU-Memorial program, including the 16-month model and an education advisory committee comprised of key educational and community stakeholders.

It's good enough to be duplicated and recommended for other universities but not good enough for CBU to be awarded its own BEd, in the panel's view.

The premier is suggesting the status quo is sufficient. I say that for CBU to progress it must be granted the authority to provide this program. I do not see any sound reason that the premier does not take a stand here. I do see, though, that it is pure politics, and, at the moment I believe the premier is trying to be politically correct to appease the institutions in Halifax.

Please do not let this issue rest. Time is running out, and if we do not speak out we will be defeated. Call the premier's office, and get as many as you can to do so. All students at CBU and throughout the island should call twice a day. Call the constituency office of the premier twice a day. What an impact this would have!

Paul Carrigan

Port Caledonia

Considering the recommendations hinged on a "high rate of unemployment for new teachers" (roughly 3% :rolleyes: ), it seemed directly aimed at keeping CBU from progressing, especially since the model they suggest other universities use is the exact same model CBU employs in it's BEd program.

MPs showed support for ports by bringing senator to visit

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

It was obvious from Senator Terry Mercer's remarks while in Sydney that both Rodger Cuzner (Cape Breton-Canso) and Mark Eyking (Sydney Victoria) played an important role in having him take a closer look at the Ports of Sydney (Senator Backs Away from Controversy Over Ports, March 29). For this we are grateful.

By his own admission, Sen. Mercer found his time in Sydney to be revealing. The ports' important and significant potential is now more apparent, and it has been indicated that this will highlighted in the forthcoming report on containerization by the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications.

We intend to maintain contact with Sen. Mercer on the Ports of Sydney going forward and would appreciate the continued support of the two island MPs on this matter. We thank them for their ongoing interest in the development of the Ports of Sydney.

Owen Fitzgerald

president,

Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce,

Sydney Ports Advocacy Council

While some of these comments may come off as "anti-Halifax", they actually aren't, they're just the usual anti-politician comments that are sometimes warranted and sometimes not.
Senator's Halifax-first view typical of capital thinking

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

Halifax Senator Terry Mercer really doesn't need to back away from comments he made that the Port of Halifax should be the priority before the province looks at other container terminals (Senator Backs Away from Controversy Over Ports, March 29). It's not a misunderstanding, or anything like it; all he is stating is how the governments in Ottawa and Nova Scotia, as well as the powers to be in such governments, think.

It's the same thinking that made sure we here got no jobs out of the Sable gas projects some years ago. It's the same thinking that Via Rail used when giving free trips to veterans - as long as they got on in Truro. It's the same thinking that closed down our industries.

As a friend of mine said, Halifax would build container cranes on top of Citadel Hill before allowing anything to compete.

The senator need not say anything else. He's just repeating what most of us already know. It works the same way for any offshore projects.

Lorne MacKinnon

Sydney

I could go on about the Sable project and how the area actually did get shafted, but I'll spare you all from that.

Smevo

Apr 3, 2008, 5:56 AM

Since the census information came out, I figured I'd post it here. The community breakdown from the NS finance department probably won't be out for another 2-3 months, but when it does come out, I'll post that too.

http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/95084388/original.jpg

One thing that troubles me about this one, is that over 16,000 people are apparently unaccounted for. That's Truro and Bible Hill CSD's being completely wiped off the map!
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/95084389/original.jpg

This is one thing I hate about the effect amalgamation has had on our StatsCan numbers. The Sydney area would come in at a rate probably around 3%, with Whitney Pier coming in over 5% maybe closer to 6%, but instead, we're doomed to be reported as 1.4%. :(
:cheers:

Smevo

Apr 3, 2008, 6:25 AM

Glace Bay Gleaner Website (http://glacebaygleaner.com/public/index.php)

Seven months of budget fallout and outmigration talk...ugh! :brickwall:
Seven Months To Go, But. . .
Written by Paul Carrigan
Monday, 31 March 2008

I can’t stop thing about the Municipal Election and who will be the potentials candidates!

First of all I do not write this to tick the mayor or existing councilors off; but I can not stop thinking that perhaps change will be good for the municipality. People are now starting to announce their interest in running for councilor or mayor and this is great! When you hear somebody announce that they are interested or even confirm that they will run in the October Municipal election and you believe that they would be effective, give them a call and let them know that you are pleased with their announcement.

We really need to broaden the spectrum of candidates and in particular we need to encourage more women to announce their candidacy. I mentioned in a past column that we have a lot of credible candidates for mayor and I thought I would throw a few more names out there. Helen Boone (Luedee), A resident of New Waterford and Human Rights Officer at Cape Breton University. Helen has a lot of integrity and has a reputation as a very honest, hard working individual. Claire Dethridge is a current councilor within the CBRM. Claire is well known and respected as a regional councilor who constantly works hard for the residents of our Municipality. Another name that comes to mind is Ray Paruch, Ray is also a respectable councilor and man who has pride in his job and is a great decision maker. Again, this is just a few individuals I think are credible candidates for Mayor. If you know any of these people give them a call and ask them to consider running for Mayor.

Now, let’s talk councilors! There is no question that all of the councilors who put their names forward and in turn got elected in the last election are very concerned about our Municipality and are determined to make the CBRM a better place to live. We must give these people credit for having the interest and the big shoulders to handle the criticism, the constant complaints about our region and the long hours put in helping residents of our area. These people all deserve the right to run again and if you believe that they are making a difference then they perhaps deserve your vote. If you do not think that they are doing a great job, perhaps you should tell them. Let them know what you think. I personally believe that speaking to an elected official can build a great relationship and the official feels good that you also care about what they are doing. You will also get a perspective of what the job entails and in particular you will get a sense of what this elected individual goes through in the run of a day. From time to time I have emailed my councilor and he always responded to my concern. I found this to be very positive and it made me realize how approachable this councilor is. So, get in the election mode, care about our municipality and make sure you participate by voting.

In other words, go to this! I actually mean that.
Community & Labour Panel in Glace Bay Thursday
Written by Jay McNeil
Tuesday, 01 April 2008

The Cape Breton District Labour Council and the Canadian Labour Congress have organized a series of MUNICIPALITIES MATTER public forums in different communities within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to bring members of the communities and unions together to discuss what the priorities should be for the municipal government.

The first session was held in Sydney last week. A session is scheduled for Thursday, April 3 at The BayPlex in Glace Bay. The meeting will begin at 7PM and will run two hours. The final meeting will be held in Sydney Mines on Thursday April 10th at the Sydney Mines Fire Hall, also at 7PM.

In a release organizers said, "Municipal politics affect every part of our lives. As citizens, we need to discuss what the priorities should be for the upcoming municipal elections which are approaching in the fall."

Issues to be addressed will include:
* Transparency, Accountability & Local Democracy
* Sustainability
* Infrastructure
* Transportation
* Housing
* Building the type of Cape Breton that working families need for the future
* A fair wage policy
* A green agenda for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality
* Procurement and a Made in Canada purchasing policy

For more information, please contact Tony Tracy at 902-455-2965 / ttracy@clc-ctc.ca

Hopefully the leadup politics to the election won't be too hard on the area, as we've seen, doom and gloom predictions hurt the area which bounces back when those stories aren't run.

Smevo

Apr 4, 2008, 2:29 AM

Cape Breton Post

Louisbourg update
Developer not concerned by builders lien

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post
Cape Breton Island Developers commented Wednesday for the first time on the builders lien filed against them by Silver Grey Building Solutions in a Halifax court, Feb. 5.

The company claims the developers of the Louisbourg Resort Golf and Spa and Colin Howell owe Silver Grey $192,000 for unpaid work at the resort site, currently in its early stages of construction.

According to court documents, Silver Grey contends it supplied labour and materials to construct housing units on four lots of land located on Bastion Avenue in the Grand Lake subdivision.

The Sydney company says that despite repeated demands for payment, the developers have so far not paid the bill in full.

"We paid all invoices which we had, other than the holdback and there's a good reason why in construction there is a holdback and that's what we're trying to work out with them," German resort developer Henric Bauermeister said during an interview with the Cape Breton Post at his home on the resort site.

"We have different views as it relates to work from last year. As I've said money is in trust accounts here . . . you always have deficiencies or different views on things which didn't work ideally, so we deal with them and I think (the dispute) is in arbitration."

Bauermeister said Cape Breton Island Developers is in the process of drafting up its defence, which will be filed in court at a later date.

The allegations made by Silver Grey have yet to be proven in court.

The $300-million resort development that partially surrounds Grand Lake spans 1,000 hectares of land and will include an 18-hole gold course designed by professional golfer Nick Faldo, along with the construction of 400 luxury homes and a European-style spa.

There are about 30 lots, which have already been sold, and work continues on four homes on site. Three of the luxury homes are fully built and furnished. The homes are expected to range in price between $400,000 and $1-million.

Bauermeister said the builders lien against his company doesn't put the large-scale housing development in jeopardy.

"It's a relatively small amount of moneys on trust accounts," he said. "It will be dealt with over the next weeks and there's absolutely nothing to worry about especially because the lien is not on our property.

"It's on four homes out of 400 where a former company worked and we are in agreement with the other party that this will be between the lawyers and again it's not on our property. It will not hinder any progress here. There's absolutely nothing to worry about."

ECBC provided money for sewer system, marketing of Louisbourg area resort

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post
Public money pumped into a $300-million luxury home, golf and spa resort being designed by private European interests came at the discretion of Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. officials, said Henric Bauermeister of Cape Breton Island Developers.

"It was not my decision," Bauermeister said Wednesday, although he acknowledged his company filled out the necessary paperwork for the financial support from the federally owned Crown corporation.

"It was ECBC's decision (to help with infrastructure) and not my decision as an owner of Cape Breton Island Developers or Louisbourg resort."

Earlier this year, ECBC gave CBI Developers a $750,000 non-repayable contribution for work to its sewer system and a $500,000 repayable loan for marketing.

The funding wasn't announced publicly.

Bauermeister said CBI Developers become acquainted with ECBC officials since first landing in the province in 2004, but no financial arrangement was decided upon until recently with its water and sewer hookups to the Louisbourg system.

At the official announcement of the resort development in December 2006, CBI Developers said the money for the project would come from private resources.

"At the time there was no government money involved and it was the truth," he said. "When we wanted to hook up the new water system to the newly built water treatment plant in Louisbourg, and when we came up with the idea to build a Rembrandt (water) system, they quite liked it. And they said, 'If we can be helpful then we can discuss.' And that's just the truth."

The municipality is likely to take over the sewage and water treatment systems once complete. Bauermeister said it will benefit the Cape Breton Regional Municipality because jobs are being created as a result of the housing development.

The sewage treatment system is expected to run between $4 million and $5 million and as much as $4.5 million for water treatment. He said the non-repayable loan should be looked at in its proper context.

"So put this into perspective - don't get me wrong - it helps, but it's a small amount in the overall project."

Bauermeister describes the $500,000 in repayable contributions for marketing as "an appreciation for the value of having Nick Faldo, as the Ryder Cup captain of 2008, having him design a course on Cape Breton exclusively for us."

Although, he also noted the money would be spent in foreign publications, mainly in the United Kingdom, to attract new visitors to Cape Breton who would be willing to spend large sums of money here.

ECBC chief executive officer Marlene Usher said earlier this week that the money handed to CBI Developers was for infrastructure which would ultimately be owned by the CBRM.

"For a corporation to actually borrow money to put in infrastructure that they won't own, it's not even possible or feasible. We did that project in conjunction with the municipality to allow them to proceed with the project," said Usher, who added the developers could have "found the cash somewhere conceivably."

She said the repayable marketing funds provided would not only assist in raising awareness of the resort near Louisbourg, but would also highlight other attractions in Cape Breton to prospective European tourists.

"Anytime somebody is going to spend that amount of investment to market Cape Breton, we feel it's a good investment."

The luxury homes, which range in size from 1,300 square feet to more than 5,000 square feet, will cost approximately from $400,000 to $1 million.

Three of the homes are fully built and furnished, while another four are currently under construction on the 2,500-acre development. There are about 30 lots already sold and construction is expected to continue throughout the year.

When the resort is complete in another six years or so, it's expected that 400 homes will be part of the resort.

And crews are also currently removing trees for fairways for the 18-hole golf course designed by Faldo, which is expected to open in 2010.

Wentworth Park development moves to next phase

Section: Cape Breton

By Erin Pottie, Cape Breton Post
Wentworth Park is entering the next phase of renovations in its makeover.

Construction is expected to continue in two or three weeks when the frost has left the ground, says Coun. Ray Paruch, speaking on behalf of the Friends of the Wentworth Park Society.

"We've got through the major stumbling blocks and hurdles with the federal government on all the prerequisites that have to take place for the second and third phase," Paruch said.

Federal government requirements concerned the safe construction for waterways, plant and fish life around the park, and approval took 18 months.

After receiving the green light on the project, a contract was signed between the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. for the disbursement of funds.

The total cost of this phase of the project is $750,000. CBRM will receive a $500,000 contribution toward the project through ACOA's innovative communities fund. The province has also agreed to contribute $100,000 for work at the bandshell area of the park, though the project is still short about $500,000.

Located adjacent to both the waterfront and commercial district, the final phases of the project will see upgrades to provide improved access to the park and enhanced amenities.

"What you're going to see there is a continuation of the first phase. You're going to see lighting, you're going to see walking trails, you'll probably see a couple of sprinklers the same way that you've seen in the first phase."

In its first phase of renovations, there was extensive work to the lower pond part of the park including landscaping, new fountains, a gazebo and a tunnel running under Kings Road and eventually to the Sydney boardwalk.

There have already been conversations with ECBC and the CBRM about future funding. Funding applications will be made to ECBC within the next seven to 10 days.

Paruch is optimistic the entire project will be completed by the end of this building season and the 2009 tourism season.

Under the third phase of construction, there will be a total revamping of the bandshell located at George and Argyle streets, transforming the aging structure into visual arts performing centre.

Apparently it's wrong for elected officials to listen to the concerns of their constituents before an election. I wonder if he's on Stubbert's payroll. :rolleyes:
Elected people should offer answers instead of asking public

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

After attending the recent municipal forum at the Steelworkers and Pensioners' Club, organized by the Cape Breton District Labour Council, I am convinced that the disaster facing us in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality because of our huge debt of more $100 million, the mayor with his court case against the province, councillors who miss important meetings and show no responsibility for the taxpayers, is going to be very difficult to overcome.

How could nine councillors attend a very important meeting such as this and only one get up to speak, telling us much of the problem lies with the mayor? Councillor Wes Stubbert gave an excellent presentation on our problems and what needs to be done.

Councillors who would not follow Stubbert to the microphone were Brian Lahey, Darren Bruckschwaiger, Jim MacLeod, Ray Paruch, Tom Wilson, Charlie Long, Richard Fogarty and Claire Detheridge.

If these councillors came to sit and see whether taxpayers could solve the problems, they are dead wrong. It is their job to tell us directly what is wrong and how they will fix the problems.

After all, $30,000 per year plus $140 per week in expenses is not bad pay.

I'm told the mayor and chief administrative officer Jerry Ryan are not on the same playing field. I think it is time for Mayor John Morgan to face the fact that the CAO, according to my reading of the Municipal Government Act, is the leader of CBRM, and the mayor and councillors must respect his decisions.

Borrowing money must stop but the CAO's hands are tied if the mayor does not support him.

Another issue that must be resolved is the mayor's locking of his office while he is away. We pay the deputy mayor an extra $5,000 per year to replace the mayor, not on the streets or by phone but in his office.

I say it is Deputy Mayor Forgarty's place to do it, even if it means kicking the door down.

Coun. Stubbert should do us a favour and place his name on the ballot for mayor. When he speaks, he speaks as a leader.

Kaz Siepierski

Sydney

"How could nine councillors attend a very important meeting such as this and only one get up to speak, telling us much of the problem lies with the mayor? Councillor Wes Stubbert gave an excellent presentation on our problems and what needs to be done."

Hmm...9 councillors attend a meeting intended for the public to voice their concerns, and only one speaking just to defame the mayor (who I usually don't agree with either, but you get my point). Yup, gotta agree with you Kaz, the councillors should just read our minds about our concerns and just offer a "take it or leave it" solution. :rolleyes:

"Coun. Stubbert should do us a favour and place his name on the ballot for mayor. When he speaks, he speaks as a leader."
I'm convinced, he's on the payroll. :koko:

Municipal forums off to a good start

Section: Comment

The Cape Breton District Labour Council and the Canadian Labour Congress have held their first of three municipal forums. At the Sydney Pensioners and Steelworkers Hall we had about 75 come out to listen and voice their concerns, including nine regional councillors and one school board representative.

There were also a few people who are considering offering for a council seat in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality for the October elections.

We were very pleased with the turnout and can only hope our two other events will be supported as well. I thank everyone who took part in our first Municipality Matters session. We have two more forums scheduled for April 3 (today) at the Bayplex in Glace Bay and April 10 at the Sydney Mines fire hall, both starting at 7 p.m.

The information gathered will be put into a newsletter and made available before the elections in October.

Gary Fukala

Glace Bay

president, Cape Breton District Labour Council

Census: less Capers 'Canadian'

Section: Front

By CP
Almost half the people in Cape Breton Regional Municipality consider their ethnic background to be at least partly "Canadian", according to the 2006 census, an indication that many people feel a connection to Canada as well as their ethnic roots.

But the number of people who declared Canadian ancestry nationwide has actually dropped since the last census - perhaps because the concept of "ethnicity" is more complex than ever in an increasingly diverse country.

Statistics Canada has been including "Canadian" as an example in its ethnic origin question in the census for 10 years now and fewer people in Cape Breton Regional Municipality identified their ancestry as Canadian than in the last census - 40.6 per cent in 2006 compared to 47.8 per cent in 2001.

The "Canadian" response compares to 65.5 per cent who listed their ancestral origins as British and 19.1 per cent who listed French - Canada's two founding cultures.

Other popular responses (either reported alone or in combination with other origins) to the ethnic origin question in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality region included German (3.5 per cent), Italian (3 per cent) and Polish (2.5 per cent).

Some demographic experts have said answering Canadian to the ancestry question on the census is more of a statement of patriotism than a person's true ethnic origin. Statistics Canada didn't list Canadian as an example until 1996 - after a public campaign by some media organizations led to a large number of write-in Canadian replies in the 1991 census.

Unlike other questions on the census forms that are based on hard facts - such as age, sex and the number of people living in one dwelling - Canadians are left to interpret their own ethnicity.

The census form asked respondents about their "ethnic or cultural origins" and then offered further instructions.

"This question refers to the ethnic or cultural origin or origins of a person's ancestors. An ancestor is someone from whom a person is descended and is usually more distant than a grandparent. Other than Aboriginal persons, most people can trace their origins to their ancestors who first came to this continent. Ancestry should not be confused with citizenship or nationality," the census says.

The census has collected data on the ethnic origins of the population since 1871.

Statistics Canada says this reflects the long-standing, continuing and widespread demand for information about ethnocultural characteristics of the Canadian population.

The Department of Canadian Heritage uses information on ethnic origin to administer programs under the Multiculturalism Act. Statistics Canada also says the question on ethnicity provides some of the most widely requested data from the census. Governments, community groups, ethnic and cultural organizations, school boards, hospitals and researchers all use ethnicity data to assess how people of different backgrounds have integrated into life in Canada.

The census data released Wednesday also includes information on visible minorities in Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

A total of 1.7 per cent of the population of Cape Breton Regional Municipality identified themselves as a visible minority in 2006 - an increase from 2001 when the figure was 1.4 per cent.

Across Canada, 16.2 per cent of the population identified themselves as a visible minority - that's more than five million Canadians.

The national figures show the continued ethnic diversity of the Canadian population over the last 25 years. In 1981, there were just over one million Canadians who were visible minorities, representing less than five per cent of the population.

In Cape Breton Regional Municipality, 75.9 per cent of the community's visible minority population was born in Canada.

The largest visible minority population was black (1 per cent), followed by South Asian (0.3 per cent) and Chinese (0.2 per cent).

The census also sheds light on the work and education of visible minorities.

Visible minorities in Cape Breton Regional Municipality had a higher employment rate than non-visible minorities - 50.4 per cent compared to 44.7 per cent.

This article is what tipped me off to look for more information from the census only to find out that it was only the table I posted info from yesterday that was flawed, unfortunately the same table StatsCan used to compare municipalities. Someone screwed up bigtime! :hell:

Smevo

Apr 4, 2008, 2:50 AM

Here ya go! :cheers:
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/95114787.jpg
Our South Asian population EXPLODED! :haha:

mmmatt

Apr 4, 2008, 2:53 AM

The reason I post that is because of the artists that disabled direct linking. :cheers:

There are ways of getting around that muhahaha

If you have firefox there are add-ons that can block images, just use that and block "spaceball.gif" that removes the transparent overlay image Flickr places over the picture to "block" people from downloading it...

If you have IE just hit "view source" in tools or something and it brings up the html of the page...then hit ctrl F and type in "spaceball" that will bring you to where they have that image...then scan through that line of code and you will find the actual picture link.

Smevo

Apr 4, 2008, 2:56 AM

Haha...good to know. Don't know if I'll ever use it, but I'll keep it in mind if they all start blocking their images. ;)

mmmatt

Apr 4, 2008, 3:05 AM

Haha...good to know. Don't know if I'll ever use it, but I'll keep it in mind if they all start blocking their images. ;)

Figured, I just like stickin to the man, I have this secret hope that if I use someones image that they know is blocked they will find out and be impressed...or pissed, either would be cool hahaha! I know Im wierd. :cool:

Smevo

Apr 6, 2008, 7:48 PM

Cape Breton Post

I'm posting this for a couple of reasons, including one relating to the situation with the Vogue.
Granville Street revitalization may be a multi-year project

Section: Cape Breton

By Tom Ayers,
A Town of Port Hawkesbury proposal to revitalize Granville Street along the town's waterfront may become a multi-year project, now that council's ideal street design has been priced at $2 million.

"We did a bit of a study on what we'd like to do with the street, but it came in at $2 million, which we won't have," Mayor Billy Joe MacLean said following Tuesday's council meeting.

The provincial government has kicked in $385,000, he said, but that's not nearly enough for the town to start work on the project right away.

Instead, council will consider a number of options including partnering with local businesses to defray some of the costs and possibly spreading the $2-million project out over four or five years, MacLean said.

Council's ideal project would see the entire waterfront street rebuilt, with new sidewalks, landscaping, old-style street lighting and buried telephone and power lines.

MacLean said a $2-million Granville Street redevelopment would help attract tourists and commercial traffic to the town's waterfront.

"Really, what we're saying is, if we're going to do it, we should do it right," he said.

"We're going to meet and go over our options, because we could never afford that," said Coun. Jim King, adding other options include seeking additional funds from the federal government and borrowing.

King said it could be a week or more before council has laid out all of its options, which it has to do before deciding how to proceed with the project.

The north end of the street received new sidewalks and lights and council is hoping to extend the redevelopment all the way to the pulp mill road, he said.

In any event, the entire road needs to be rebuilt, having been surface patched for years, King added.

Meanwhile, King said, the provincial government will be providing $500,000 toward a new entertainment venue to replace the Creamery building on Granville Street.

An announcement on the provincial funding was expected this morning at 9 a.m. at the Port Hawkesbury provincial building.

Initial cost estimates put the Ship Harbour Place project at between $1.3 million and $2 million, so the project has been scaled back.

The Strait Area Waterfront Development Society said in December it is now proposing a 7,500-square-foot building that will blend in with the boardwalk and be a multi-use venue incorporating the local marina, a hall and related facilities such as kitchen and washrooms.

The town just built a new Civic Centre (entertainment venue) a couple of years back. Now, when I asked the people behind the "Save the Vogue" group to continue with the momentum they had, and create a new, non-profit entertainment venue downtown built on donations (monetary and possibly supplies/skilled labour if they played their cards right), the overwhelming response was "oh, the Vogue is gone, the council has no foresight, the arts community will continue to suffer without a venue because of this council" (not the exact words, but all the blame was on council and Harbour Royale Developments). In other words, they were all just a bunch of NIMBY's it seems. It's sad that the Vogue is gone (officially now, demolition was Friday), but the biggest problem with CBRM is that these kinds of groups have no foresight, and have always adopted an "all or nothing" strategy. The city won't start the project, it already runs the Savoy and will be renovating the Wentworth Park bandshell. But the group was expecting provincial grants and loans to renovate the Vogue anyway, the bolded section in the story just proves that they had the option of provincial money conditional on donations for a new project.

If you want to read my comments, they're on the facebook groups wall here (note: I got 0 messages from the group admins, all responses have been on the wall, most have simply ignored the concept). (http://www.facebook.com/wall.php?id=8293113998&page=1&hash=1760070bec0a25a088f99c3e5bf8514e)

All my comments appear on page 2, I'm too disgusted to reply to any more right now. There's also photos and a video of the demolition on the main page of the group.

Support for lawsuit looms large at forum

Section: News

By Tom Ayers,
Mayor John Morgan and five councillors heard plenty of ideas about what people want from their next municipal council at a labour-sponsored public forum Thursday, but the loudest message was support for the Cape Breton Municipality's lawsuit over how the province distributes equalization funds from the federal government.

The Canadian Labour Congress and Cape Breton District Labour Council hosted the second of three Municipalities Matter meetings at the BayPlex, where about 45 people listened to a presentation from Cape Breton University political science professor Tom Urbaniak and retired steelworkers union representative Bernie Campbell.

As part of Urbaniak's presentation, he said he supports the CBRM lawsuit because it dramatizes the plight facing the municipality, which he said is being shortchanged by the provincial government.

The problem is stark when property tax revenues are compared, said Urbaniak.

"It's a good year if we're able to bring in even three-fifths of the per-household revenue of Halifax," he said, adding that the province's own equalization formula shows CBRM should receive $10 million more annually in equalization funds.

Campbell said councillors should support the mayor's efforts to push ahead with the lawsuit, especially since he received 80 per cent of the vote in the last election.

Only one audience member, Fred Holman of Port Morien, disagreed. He said he voted for John Morgan, but not for the lawsuit.

A dozen people got up to the microphone to suggest priorities for the municipality, and most said someone needs to stand up to the province and demand Cape Breton's fair share of revenues.

Audience suggestions included:

Better bus service

Buying local products

Jobs and recreation for youth

Turning CBRM into a recycling centre of excellence

Opposing bulk exports of water

Fixing council's pay for the entire four-year term

Matching unionized municipal employees' pay raises to those of management

Cutting some of the managers

Stopping councillors from personally attacking each other

Building new infrastructure

Supporting Cape Breton University's desire for its own Bachelor of Education degree

Downsizing council

Holding small local kitchen meetings to discuss issues

Sending the province a bill for the provincial roads maintained by the municipality

Setting aside any new tax revenues from windmills and putting it exclusively toward CBRM's debt.

Council members in attendance included Darren Bruckschwaiger, Ray Paruch, Charlie Long, Wes Stubbert and Tom Wilson.

Mayor Morgan said afterwards that the meeting was very positive and provided some useful feedback on what people expect from council.

The final meeting will be held at the Sydney Mines fire hall Thursday.

Go to it!

I'll be posting a link to the audio from Urbaniak and Morgan when I post the GB Gleaner update. Urbaniak's speech was quite good, Morgan was mostly just thanking the crowd and commenting on the lawsuit and such.

Port Hawkesbury again
Return of bus service good news for Strait area

Section: Our community

Column: Dan Nightingale

By Dan Nightingale,
There are good ideas, and then there are very good ideas. Reintroducing a public transportation system to the communities of the Strait area is definitely one of the very good ideas. There are many positives about bus service and rural communities are at a distinct disadvantage without it.

We continually lose services to larger centres, increasing the need for a vehicle just to access the necessities of life. Where many people see the loss of the community school as the beginning of decline, if you look back you might be surprised to find out how often the loss of local bus service preceded school closures by a few years.

Public transportation improves access for people who don't own a vehicle. Just as importantly it offers an alternative to driving long distances to work, school, shopping, or recreational activities for those who do. The price of operating a vehicle is skyrocketing, and not just because of the price of gas. The cost of everything from auto insurance to maintenance and repairs are up.

If you live a half-hour drive from your place of work or study, those costs are quickly becoming a serious limiting factor. The impact varies, depending on the type of vehicle you drive, but a person working 40 hours a week who lives 50 kilometres from their workplace has to put at least two dollars an hour into their vehicle, not including payments. If you work at a $10 an hour job, that means you have to devote one full day's pay just to get back and forth to work.

The advantages of public transportation are many. Ecologically there are reduced emissions. Wear and tear on roads is another factor; fewer cars on the road will see savings in tax dollars spent on road maintenance. This could allow us to finally get rid of the 'politics of paving' mentality that has dogged us for years. That particular failure of political vision is a major reason that we remain a have-not province.

Public transportation is all about access and it is one of the things that draw people away from smaller communities. With population decline costing us services, many people have to leave rural communities just to find work or attend school. Rural residents with health problems are especially vulnerable to transportation difficulties.

Outmigration is killing rural communities. The loss of public transportation and other services are what cause people to leave. The return of bussing is akin to the ice leaving, it is a sign of renewal.

We all need to support the people working hard to make this thing happen, and to thank them for displaying the first thing that looks like true vision that we have seen in a long time.

Dan Nightingale is a forestry worker and the operator of Loggerdan Forest Safety. He lives in Grand Greve, Richmond County.

Smevo

Apr 6, 2008, 8:21 PM

Cape Breton Post

Follow-up on the bus commentary for Port Hawkesbury
Bus service coming to Strait area

Section: Business

By Nancy King,
Regional public transit could be coming to the Strait area by June, with word Friday that the province will contribute $120,000 to the project.

The Strait Area Transit Co-operative will use the one-time contribution to purchase three vehicles, construct bus shelters and other related infrastructure to support a transit-service pilot project.

"Today can go down in history, that we'll be able to apply accessible transportation to the whole Strait area," said Malcolm Beaton, general manager of the co-operative. "This is the announcement we were waiting for and it certainly will move the projects forward very quickly."

The transit system will see vehicles travel regularly between smaller communities and the region's service centre of Port Hawkesbury, helping rural residents access services they need on a daily basis.

The contribution will help the co-operative purchase one 20-passenger accessible bus, two seven-passenger commuter vans, bus shelters and office equipment. Service will include scheduled, regular week-day main-route transit, door-to-door (in conjunction with the Provincial Dial-a-Ride program), and charter services for nursing homes, senior complexes, regional occupation centres and others.

"Our next move is to start looking at the vehicles, do the purchasing of the vehicles, get the proper licence through the Utility and Review Board, so we're anticipating that at the end of May or the first part of June we should be mobile," Beaton said. "We've done a lot of work over the past year in developing our policies, so we know where to go with our next moves."

Initially, the co-op has hoped to have buses on the road by January, but that was slowed a bit as it waited for funding approvals.

Of all the community initiatives he's work on, Beaton said the transit project has elicited a great deal of enthusiasm and anticipation.

"The need is definitely there for it," he said.

Communities including Port Hastings, Mulgrave and Louisdale would have access to the bus, which will make two daily trips into Port Hawkesbury.

"Improving infrastructure, protecting our environment, and building safer, healthier communities are three priorities of our government, and the transit proposal helps in all three," Premier Rodney MacDonald said in a press release Friday. "The province is happy to support the initiative. It will mean so much for residents who currently are in need of safe, affordable and accessible transportation."

The two vans will make pit stops in areas such as L'Ardoise, St. Peter's, Chapel Island, Arichat and Petit de Grat, and then transfer users to the bus in Louisdale and that vehicle will take them into the town.

Can't really expect much better service than this is such a small area (Port Hawkesbury ~ 3,500, surrounding area rural villages).

More info on Port Hawkesbury's entertainment venue (how is this town dominating the news? :koko: )
Waterfront project gets boost from province

Section: Business

Premier Rodney MacDonald announced a $500,000 contribution to a waterfront development project here Friday.

The Strait Area Waterfront Development Society is planning to build Ship Harbour Place, an entertainment, education and marina venue.

"Gathering places like Ship Harbour Place keep communities active and vital, and keep residents healthy," MacDonald said. "I am confident the new facility will quickly become a centre of community activity, providing opportunities for recreation, education and culture."

Ship Harbour Place will house the Port Hawkesbury marina services, offer courses, provide retail space, and host cultural, entertainment events and meetings. It will replace the Creamery, which was formerly used for similar purposes but has been leased to a local company.

"We're very pleased to have the support of the province and thankful they also believe in the valuable contribution that a dynamic waterfront provides to the town of Port Hawkesbury," said Blaine MacQuarrie, chair of the Waterfront Development Society ceilidh committee. "This support, along with the previous support from the federal government will serve only to boost the health, well-being and cultural richness of our area for years to come."

The premier also acknowledged the valuable contributions made by the many volunteers who assist the waterfront society with the presentation of their cultural programs.

Initial cost estimates put the Ship Harbour Place project at between $1.3 million and $2 million, so the project has been scaled back. The Strait Area Waterfront Development Society said in December it is now proposing a 7,500-square-foot building that will blend in with the boardwalk.

"The premier also acknowledged the valuable contributions made by the many volunteers who assist the waterfront society with the presentation of their cultural programs."
*cough* hint to Vogue supporters, there is hope! Don't be defeatist fools and follow through, since your apparent support was based on providing a venue for Sydney's arts community!

Louisbourg, Gabarus link road.
Case unveiled for Gabarus link

Section: Comment

In retrospect it might have been smarter to start at the other end in 1994 by building a highway between Louisbourg and Gabarus, leaving it for others to lobby for the upgrading and paving of the rest of the Fleur de lis to St. Peters. Did David Dingwall and Richie Mann, the federal and provincial ministers who launched the project so controversially, really think they'd be in a position to ensure its completion?

Five years, the original timeline, is a long time in politics. Dingwall soon moved on from federal public works, but more significant was the lurch of the provincial Liberal government into deficit-fighting mode. Highways, existing and proposed, slid further to the back burner. That priority decision that would help bring the Conservatives to power in 1999, and indeed they're still campaigning as the party of roads.

The return of road construction and maintenance as a high government priority has not brought completion of the Fleur de lis back to the fore, however. A campaign fronted by Louisbourg area tourism operator Germaine LeMoine has been underway for more than two years to change that, and now there's a $100,000 report by the Halifax consulting firm Gardner Pinfold to buttress the case.

Lead author Michael Gardner unveiled the study Monday, arguing that the business development potential that would be tapped by building the final 17 kilometre link, along with other benefits, outweighs the negatives. The chief obstacle remains the cost, now estimated at $20 million, twice the number thrown around when this campaign started. Back in 1994 it was thought that $24 million would do the whole thing.

Among the pieces of evidence assembled is a survey in which 60 per cent of visitors to the Cabot Trail who didn't visit Fortress of Louisbourg said they would if it wasn't necessary to backtrack to Sydney after seeing the national historic site. Even a third of those extra visitors would make a huge difference for Louisbourg, and potentially for other localities along a completed Fleur de lis, which features virtually no tourism businesses east of St. Peters.

LeMoine sees the Louisbourg-Gabarus link as an opportunity for the federal government right a historic wrong it committed by closing the dirt road that joined those communities along the coast until 1966. Indeed that does look today like an example of the imperious mindset of federal parks administrators who thought little of disrupting living communities for the sake of preserving the undiscovered artefacts of dead ones.

Bringing in federal funding would be a big help in getting the province onside, as it was in 1994, but it remains to be seen how feasible that is today. Local authorities, including both affected municipalities (Cape Breton regional as well as Richmond), along with the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority which commissioned the study, appear to be firmly in support.

Funding a new stretch of "tourist highway," as this has been dismissively called, will take some determined lobbying in the era of green policy filtering. Last time we checked, however, Nova Scotia was still promoting motor tourism as an economic engine for the province. Completion of the Fleur de lis has to make economic sense but now there is a researched case that says it does.

Too bad it wasn't Inverness County that was affected, Rodney would be jumping on the bandwagon! :rolleyes:

Work at cooling pond winding down; dealing with dust

Section: Front

As work on the project is nearing an end, construction work resumed at the cooling pond Friday, after it was shut down Thursday evening when dust limits outlined in the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency's environmental management plan were approached.

Work was also halted last Friday, when dust levels were exceeded for the first time on the project. It resumed the following day.

The Sydney cooling pond is a manmade, circular body of water and sludge, located on Inglis Street. The function of the pond was to cool water once used by Sysco's rolling mills.

The agency's real-time air monitoring program is intended to protect the health of the general public and on-site workers from being affected by cleanup activities.

"Each day they have almost like a dust budget," agency spokesperson Tanya Collier MacDonald noted. "Last Friday there was an exceedance of that budget and (Thursday) night they came close, but they didn't actually exceed, they were shut down as a precautionary measure until the air monitoring people had time to crunch the numbers."

The real-time data, collected as 15-minute averages, are monitored continuously during construction activity to identify sources of volatile organic compounds and dust. This approach allows site managers to modify activities immediately and to implement controls that lower dust levels before they become a hazard.

Work on the cooling pond project is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

"They're almost at the very end of the solidification and stabilization part of the project, so all the sediment that was in there is almost completely solidified and stabilized and they're almost finished capping as well," Collier MacDonald said. "To look at it, pretty well most of the cooling pond just disappeared."

The cooling pond project was the first aboriginal set-aside component of the cleanup of the tar ponds and coke ovens sites, with three local aboriginal construction companies working on the project. They are currently working on the last cell of the project.

Aboriginal construction companies are already looking toward future contracts as part of the cleanup process.

"This experience has also allowed these Cape Breton aboriginal construction companies to build capacity and expertise and has positioned them to play a significant role in future contracts and other major construction projects in Nova Scotia", said Dan Christmas, chair of the Unama'ki economic benefits steering committee and senior adviser to Membertou First Nation.

Frank Potter, president of the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency, called the cooling pond project a success, largely due to the aboriginal contractors working on the project.

"They have responded to the challenge of a demanding environmental project and in the process have acquired valuable skills and training from some of the top experts in the field of solidification and stabilization," he said.

History in the making

Beaton Institute bringing archives into digital age

Section: Weekend

By Erin Pottie,
Much like history itself, traditional archives are becoming dated as research centres move toward the future.

The Beaton Institute of Cape Breton University is taking a step toward the future by putting several of its historical items and online through digitilization.

The institute will scan approximately 150 items from its inventory which will be made available through the province's ArchWay website, the Atlantic Scholarly Information Network hosted by Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Beaton Institute website hosted on www.cbu.ca.

The items are among the tens of thousands of pieces within the institute's archives. Hundreds of those contain documentary evidence of elders and tradition bearers in, such as the Mi'kmaq, Ukrainian, Italian, and Polish to Belgian, Hungarian, Jewish and African Nova Scotian communities.

Institute staff have spent months working on the project which is funded by National Archival Development Program. The project will help maintain the island's diverse multi-cultural heritage and will include the most representative Cape Breton ethno-cultural items.

"We've been working with stakeholders in the cultural communities to identify which records the community would see as important as having scanned and available online," said institute manager Catherine Arseneau.

Working with six of the most prevalent cultural community groups, the institute has also established its own selection criteria.

The first priority is the need for preservation, such as a fragile item that requires protection. The second criteria is how often an item is accessed. Item selection may also consider a piece's ability to increase representation of underrepresented ethno-cultural groups in Canada's archival heritage.

"The initial inventory was done in 1985, so we wanted to update some of that and also (ask) stakeholders in the community what they see as important. With that information we then had to ensure there were copyright clearances in place and that there weren't any restrictions place during that initial donation to the archive," said Arseneau.

Items include audio tapes, newspaper clippings, photographs and manuscripts that cover topics such as community history, religious practices, gender issues, folk songs, and personal narratives.

The Beaton Institute believes in the rich cultural heritage of Cape Breton that extends beyond the waves of 19th Century Scottish and Irish settlers and the empire-building French and English explorers of 100 years ago.

From the indigenous Mi'kmaq to generations of immigrants seeking better opportunities for their family. Many immigrants from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Caribbean Islands brought their customs and traditions with them to Cape Breton.

Throughout the years, some of the heritage was preserved and remains intact today, while some has all but disappeared.

"This project is to start the process of making some of our holdings available almost on an Internet basis. People could, rather than going to a card catalogue, be able to search through a database for some items," said Arseneau.

Funding was completed in March and institute staff are now working toward uploading the final selection to the provincial archival database.

The digitization project will be ongoing as the Beaton Institute works with the Centre for Cape Breton Studies and the university community to make its archives widely available in a safe format. Considered a timesaver for researchers, faculty and staff across Canada, people will eventually be able to search and access information from their home computers.

An archive and research centre mandated to collect and conserve the social, economic, political and cultural history of Cape Breton Island, the Beaton Institute is located within a 17,000-square-foot complex at CBU.

Its origins date to 1957 when the late Sr. Margaret Beaton, former librarian of Xavier College, the predecessor to CBU, began collecting material on Gaelic language and culture. Upon her death in 1975 and the subsequent renaming of the institute in her honour, the mandate of the Beaton was expanded to incorporate all aspects of the island's life and history.

Smevo

Apr 6, 2008, 8:25 PM

From the website (http://glacebaygleaner.com/public/)

Lessons From The Past: Tompkins, Coady, Davis, McLachlan Written by Jay McNeil
Friday, 04 April 2008

If we want things to change we have to look to community leaders of the past. That was the message delivered Thursday night at Municipalities Matter, the second in a three-part series of meetings organized by The Canadian Labor Congress (CLC) in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Throughout the meeting panelists, speakers, and guests each called for a return to the days of Father Jimmy Tompkins, Dr. Moses Coady, William Davis, and J. B. McLachlan.

The panel consisted of CLC Representative for Nova Scotia Tony Tracey, local organizer Gary Fukala, Professor Tom Urbaniak, and retired steelworkers representative Gary Campbell.

Dr. Tom Urbaniak, a professor at Cape Breton University, delivered a compelling speech that provided the context for the rest of the discussion. He opened his remarks with a quote from Father Jimmy. “Let us begin locally, and at the root of things and all other development will follow. An organization is the heart of intelligence.” (Listen to the speech)

According to Urbaniak there is one central question that should be asked of those seeking election to municipal council. “It is really my fervent hope that in this municipal election campaign, when candidates show up at our doorstep, when we attend all candidate meetings, that we will ask the following question to those who want to represent us: How will you create leaders in our community? Or to put it in a more fancy way, how will you cultivate the leadership potential that lies dormant in our communities.”

Urbaniak challenged many of the all-or-nothing positions that our municipal leaders are taking, specifically Economic Development Manager John Whalley’s report that called for sweeping changes to the governance structure before any local progress can be made. Calling for incremental changes, he suggested that the CBRM, which is currently preparing a report as part of the federal government’s review of ECBC, boldly suggest that the board of directors be elected, rather than appointed, with the hopes that such a process would force a discussion within the community about the types of economic development we want.

He called on municipal leaders to be more strategic in their use power, and to realize the powers they have but are perhaps are unaware of – what he called the ‘soft power’ of municipal government. “That means doing more than picking up a shovel and filling a pot hole,” he said, “it means looking at the municipality in its’ entirety.” He called on municipal leaders to use their inherent moral authority within the community to work with agencies to cultivate solutions within the community at-large.

With Mayor John Morgan, and Councillors Darren Bruckschwaiger, Charlie Long, Tom Wilson, Wes Stubbert, and Ray Paruch in attendance, Urbaniak challenged council’s recent passing of the annual budget. “I was concerned that only one day was devoted to this critical discussion of the future of the CBRM,” he said. “Even the discussion about how best to approach the provincial government, over time, is a very critical discussion that needs to happen in the public forum over a number of days.”

As his remarks proceeded he discussed several issues ranging from housing to the size and scope of council. However, in tying it all together he spoke of the defining campaign issue of 2004 election – the lawsuit against the province.

“Stop talking about these ideas!,” he said mockingly to himself. “You can’t talk about these ideas until the lawsuit is dealt with!” Calling the lawsuit an “important matter of principle,” which he supports, he further illustrated his earlier point about all-or-nothing leadership, saying that our leaders shouldn’t wait until the issue is resolved before enacting some changes. “There are many examples across Canada,” he said, “where lawsuits have been launched against senior levels of government where other things have been happening in the meantime.”

When the panel turned discussion over to the floor, the first person at the microphone was Mayor John Morgan. He began by apologizing for not attending the first meeting in Sydney, and highlighting the strong labor relations that he and council have managed to oversee for the last seven years. (Listen to his comments.)

Addressing those who say that the province is currently under funding the CBRM as a result of the lawsuit, Morgan said, “If you, in fact, look back many decades you will see the former municipalities were actually pushed to the brink of bankruptcy by a similar unfair funding arrangement. They did not, at that time, have the benefit of the constitutional amendments that came in for us in 1986, so we have some tools that are available to us to try to correct that situation.” To those who wish to abandon the lawsuit, he asked voters to look at the “plan b” opponents are presenting, saying it calls for devastating increases in property tax.

Evoking the memory of William Davis, who died as a result of a labour dispute in New Waterford in 1925, Mayor Morgan recalled that when a reporter asked BESCO General Manger J.L. McClurg if he looked at the ongoing strike as a game of poker, McLurg replied, “Game of poker, nothing. We hold the cards… they can’t stand the gaff.” The company had shut off water service, and was determined to influence the workers with starvation and privation.

“In a sense the Province of Nova Scotia is trying to do us as a community what BESCO was doing to the labor union and the people of this region back in 1925. They are attempting to starve the citizens of this region out, and it’s important that we follow William Davis’ example and stand up to the provincial government and get fairness for the citizens of this region,” Morgan said.

Several other community members addressed the panel, discussing issues ranging from youth facilities, out migration, and the level of municipal services provided. As ideas were being discussed, and opinions shared, notes were kept on flip chart paper that were taped to the back wall of the BayPlex. As the meeting came to and end each person in attendance was given ten red stickers to place next to the issues they thought were most important. This data will be used to help the CLC prepare a report based on the information gathered from this series of meetings.

The final meeting takes place next Thursday, April 10th in Sydney Mines. The CLC report will be released prior to the upcoming municipal elections this fall.

The speeches can be listened to here! (http://glacebaygleaner.com/public/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=905&Itemid=133#listen)

:cheers:

Smevo

Apr 6, 2008, 8:50 PM

I'll have to keep an eye out for this:

News FlashWe have a New "Sydney" Residential Subdivision Coming soon! Keep your eyes on our site for further details. Some of our Turn Key homes in this subdivision will even have Waterfrontage! Qualified Buyer's and Builders alike are welcome to enquire at this stage for limited details.

From P. Martin Realty website. (http://www.pmartinrealty.ca/)

Smevo

Apr 9, 2008, 2:05 AM

Cape Breton Post

Not something you usually think about when you think Cape Breton...a labour shortage.
Career expo needed, says chamber president

Section: Business

A career expo is needed to respond to the growing demand for employees across Cape Breton, said Mike MacSween, executive director of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We know that many of our members are looking for new employees and the chamber is well positioned to assist with this," MacSween said.

In responding to requests by employers, the chamber will host a career expo at the Sydney Marine Terminal, April 23, for local employers to showcase many of the jobs they have available now, or will have available over the next 12 months.

"Our hope is to be able to help both employers and prospective employees by linking them together at this event."

MacSween said to ensure maximum participation there is no charge for either employers or employees to attend this event. As well, this is open to both chamber members and other employers from across Cape Breton.

He said there is a perception that there are few jobs available locally. The focus of this career expo will be to highlight the many jobs available on the island, MacSween noted.

Numerous agencies and groups that assist individuals with finding employment will also be on hand at the expo.

Registration packages for employers are available from the chamber of commerce office at 275 Charlotte St., Sydney.

For further information or to have a registration package sent to you, contact the chamber office, 564-6453.

You've got to be kidding me! :hell:
Daily Business Buzz: Cape Breton's Glenora Distillers (International) Limited announced on Monday that by a decision of the Federal Court, the ruling of the Trade-Marks Opposition Board allowing the registration of Glen Breton as the trade-mark of its single mark whisky has been overturned. The order, which has been issued by the court, refuses the application of Glenora to register Glen Breton under the Trade-Marks Act. The decision is based on a conclusion that the word "glen" can no longer be used in Canada as a registered trademark for whisky, unless it is a scotch whisky. "This decision could have serious economic ramifications for Glenora Distillers," says President Lauchie MacLean. - Staff

It's in a :censor: glen, in an area called Glenora! Neither Whiskey, Single Malt Whiskey, nor especially glens are exclusive to Scotland! Therefore, the name also should not be exclusive, especially since it says clearly on the box "Single Malt Canadian Whiskey"...it doesn't claim to be Scotch because it's not in Scotland! Give me a :censor: break! :hell: :pissed: :breakcomp: :maddown: Idiots!

[/rant]

Editorial note: Smevo sincerely apologizes for anyone the preceeding rant may offend, and stresses that the opinions expressed are his own and not necessarily the opinions of the people of Cape Breton, Glenora, or this message forum.

Alright, back to topic...
More indepth on the Glenora fight
The fighting spirit

Glenora president vows to fight for Glen Breton trademark

Section: Front

By Doug MacKenzie,
Glenora Distillers International Ltd. suffered a major setback Friday when a federal court refused to allow the company to register its Glen Breton trademark.

"It's certainly disappointing and we weren't expecting the decision to come this way," said Glenora president Lauchie MacLean. "We felt very positive about what the results were going to be, but the judge had other thoughts."

This decision marks a change in fortune for Glenora, with the distillery having won the opening battle in January 2007 when the Canadian Trademark Association rejected the challenge from the Scottish Whiskey Association.

"We can appeal it and we are going to appeal it," said MacLean, who expects the appeal process to take at least another year. "We're going to give them the fight of their life and we have no thoughts to end it any time soon.

"We're going to fight to defend Cape Breton and we're going to fight to defend the glen."

The trademark has been under dispute for more than a year with the SWA objecting to the word 'Glen', which is widely used on Scotch whiskey, being used on whiskey produced in Canada, saying it was confusing and misleading to consumers.

Evidence filed by the SWA included more than 30 instances of Glen Breton being mis-described in Canada as Scotch whiskey, with examples of confusion found in retail outlets, newspaper articles, menus and websites.

Glenora has always argued the name is geographically based since the distillery is located in a glen, in Glenville, Inverness County.

"It seems to be overkill, but they've done this all over the world," said MacLean. "We're not selling the product as Glen, we're selling it as Glen Breton and we're in a glen and we're in Cape Breton and that's our reason. We've never marketed ourselves as Scotch. We have a taste, aroma and profile possibly of a Scotch, but that's the ingredients."

While he plans on continuing taking the battle as far as he can, MacLean admitted an end loss would mean difficult times for the distillery.

"If it ends up we lose, we would have to look at trying to come up with a new brand," he said. "It would have economic ramifications, there is no doubt. A significant portion of our business model is on Glen Breton.

"I would relate this to Rocky III. We're Rocky and they're Clubber Lang. We've had one knockdown and they've had one knockdown and we're going forward and Rocky is going to be successful in the end."

It's very refreshing to see the fighting spirit (pardon the pun) alive and well in Cape Breton businesses. It's the only thing that kept us from ultimate demise, and it's the only thing that's bringing us back.

Onshore rights divvied up for oil and gas

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

Two companies, PetroWorth Resources Inc. and Contact Exploration Inc., have received onshore exploration permits on Cape Breton that cover nearly 35 per cent of the island outside Cape Breton Highlands National Park. These seismic permits cover a huge territory in southern Inverness County (383,000 acres) and Victoria and Richmond Counties (636,000 acres), including underneath most of our homes and properties.

Nova Scotia in the last decade has organized a system of resource permitting that has recently given onshore oil and gas exploration rights to 2.5 million acres. This year more of the province will be licensed off.

These permits are highly prized to promote the monetary value of the shares of the companies that receive them, not the value of our communities. No public notice by the province was given to us before this was done; there were no community meetings, no environmental assessments, no nothing.

Many of us in Inverness County just finished spending the better part of five years fighting against a near-shore exploration permit that finally has been dropped, and now the business of oil and gas exploration is right underneath us.

It is time to ask fundamental questions about what is going on in Nova Scotia, and who it is going on for. Why are we giving away our petroleum resources as fast as we can?

The Sable gas development is a disgrace, giving provincial coffers about the same amount of revenue as the liquor corporation does over the life of the project.

If we have the potential for onshore oil and gas, the development of this resource should be given to our communities to own and control. If there is oil and gas we should consider its development for our long-term local use, for 100 years or more - for our homes, offices, transportation and industry. It is our non-renewable resource and should not be made available for a company to ship it out of our province as quickly as possible for its quick profit.

Energy - whether it be saving it, using solar power for hot water or home heating, wind energy, or fossil fuels - is something we need here for our future, not to give away to a corporation for its present and future worth. It is vital that we use our non-renewable resources for a transition to sustainable energy.

The Albertaization of Nova Scotia has been going just swell for a government whose petroleum policy is to give it all away as fast as possible for as little as possible. Only if we capture fully the potential of our resources for our own local development and benefit will we ever have growing and sustainable communities. This is the only choice and the only chance for our future.

We need to get these permits cancelled and stop more from being issued. It's up to you to tell the government in no uncertain terms to cancel them.

Neal Livingston

co-chair, Margaree Environmental Association

"No public notice by the province was given to us before this was done; there were no community meetings, no environmental assessments, no nothing."
First I've ever heard of it, so he's probably right, and if he is, the NS provincial gov't has fallen even more out of favour with me and probably most CB'ers.

On the same page

NewPage execs say Point Tupper mill has 'great potential'

Section: Front

By Nancy King,
Members of the senior management team of the company that now owns the former Stora Enso mill here toured the property last week and told local officials they believe it has great potential.

NewPage Port Hawkesbury spokesperson Patricia Dietz noted that last week seven members of the company's senior leadership team, including president and chief operating officer Rick Willett, spent two days at the mill, touring facilities and meeting with employees.

"They were very, very positive about the potential of the facility, they said no question that (the supercalendered paper line) PM2 is by far the best supercalendered paper machine in North America . . . and they were very positive about the workforce here as well," Dietz said.

Other senior officials from NewPage - which is headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio - taking part in the tour included the senior vice-president of operations, vice-president of publication paper operations and general manager of ultra lightweight and supercalendered paper. An information session with employees held at the Nova Scotia Community College Strait Area Campus was standing room only, Dietz said.

"They're there to support us all the way, so we're pleased about that," Dietz said.

It's a different corporate message for the region than the one that it had gotten over the previous several years from former owner Stora Enso. Saying the mill was losing money and was hit hard by the soaring Canadian dollar, the Finnish papermaker threatened to shut down both of the mill's paper machines. It embarked on an aggressive cost-cutting campaign, obtaining concessions from employees after a lengthy lockout, a new deal with wood suppliers, a land for cash deal with the province and a new power rate structure from provincial regulators.

NewPage announced last September it was purchasing Stora Enso's North American operations. The sale was finalized in December and in January it announced steps, including a number of mill closures, to integrate the new assets.

The two lines manufactured at Point Tupper - glossy SC paper and newsprint - are new product lines for NewPage.

When the purchase was announced last fall, Willett noted that while the Point Tupper mill has challenges, it also is extremely well-invested.

He added NewPage was optimistic there are opportunities to improve that facility with "some very judicious, prudent reinvestment," although he noted a lot of work had to be done to figure out the long term strategy for that site.

Hopefully these guys will be better than StoraEnso. As you can tell by the first bolded paragraph, StoraEnso were the "Irvings of Port Hawkesbury" and used that power to it's full potential.

Federation hoping for word on proposed expansion to local race track

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Julie Collins, Cape Breton Post
The Cape Breton Federation of Agriculture has one more hurdle to get over before beginning proposed upgrades to the Northside Downs.

Council voted 17-0 to give final approval to Northside Downs owners' request for changes to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's municipal planning strategy and land use bylaw.

The changes are now in the hands of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

Once approval is given, the federation has to register a development agreement with the regional municipality.

"Provincial approval is the last stage before we can begin improvements. I expect we will hear something fairly soon," said Duke Lewis, chairman of the Northside Downs Exhibition committee that is overseeing the race track. "It's part of the process and in the meantime, plans are underway for this season."

Municipal planner Malcolm Gillis said there were some concerns from the community, but both sides came to a pragmatic understanding.

"There was a little give from both the neighbourhood and the horsemen, both wanted to work this out," Gillis said. "Those that wanted, didn't want too much and those that had to give, didn't give as much as they were afraid they had to in working things out."

The proposed expansion includes washrooms accessible to the public, a covered grandstand and an addition to the judge's stand.

Racing will begin May 10, but patrons may not get to enjoy the new expanded facilities until later on in the season.

"Racing takes place on Saturday, so work on the expansion can continue during the week, until we get the building finished," Lewis said. "Once that's done, we'll turn our attention to the covered grandstand."

As improvements are carried out, the buildings will carry the same colours (red and green) as the neighbouring Cape Breton Exhibition.

"There is real entertainment value in horse racing. Our race announcer has a way of getting the crowds into the races and creates a lot of excitement for all concerned."

In October, the province gave Northside Downs $100,000 for capital expenditures and race track improvements.

The Downs has held successful racing from 1982 with matinee racing until the live racing ended in 1990. The biggest purse at Northside Downs of $5,000 was won by Blue Meadow Ace in 1985, owned and trained by Ralph Frizzell.

"We had just the one stake race last year. This year we have a whole card of Atlantic sire races spread out over the summer," Lewis said. "That's 10 weekends where we will have people coming from all over the Maritimes with their horses. It should prove to be a boost to the local economy."

Well, looks like today made up for the slow news day yesterday! :cheers:

Smevo

Apr 10, 2008, 2:13 AM

Cape Breton Post

Input sought on possible tourism marketing strategy

Section: Business

By Tom Ayers, CAPE BRETON POST
Nine-eleven, the soaring loonie, skyrocketing gasoline prices and the lack of an islandwide marketing strategy have all been blamed for declining tourist numbers in Cape Breton.

Well, one of those things is about to change.

Destination Cape Breton Association has hired Vibe Creative Group to conduct a series of community consultations over the next week to gather input from all businesses that are affected by the tourist trade in order to develop a tourism marketing strategy.

"One of the most critical things we can do for the development of this strategy is to talk to industry and ask them to share their experiences," Destination Cape Breton chairman Ray Kavanaugh said.

"Without a doubt we need to know more about what they have been dealing with over the past number of years and what they envision for the future."

Darlene Sponagle, project manager with Destination Cape Breton, said the association hopes to have a marketing strategy in place by the end of July.

"There will be some short-term initiatives identified within the strategy and some long-term initiatives, and we'll proceed with those once we get approval . . . from the industry at large," she said.

Sponagle said the community consultation sessions are not just for Destination Cape Breton members; anyone in a business impacted by tourism is welcome to attend.

"This is for the whole sector of tourism in Cape Breton," she said.

The sessions are designed to seek feedback on a number of topics, including infrastructure, marketing opportunities, collaboration, priorities and how to fund a marketing strategy.

In the past, Destination Cape Breton had sought a marketing levy from all tourist-related businesses on the island, but the plan was met with opposition from some operators.

Sponagle said the levy is not in place yet, but it is only one possibility that industry representatives will be asked to consider.

"When we look at the question of how the tourism marketing strategy can be financed, that will be looked at as one of the options," she said. "It's an open book right now."

Smevo

Apr 10, 2008, 10:33 PM

Cape Breton Post

Sydney operation not likely to lose nearly as many workers as Halifax, says casino VP

Section: Business

By Doug MacKenzie,
Casino Nova Scotia's Sydney operation will face changes in the upcoming months in light of Tuesday's announcement that more than 100 people will lose their jobs at the Halifax-based casino.

"There are not as many (layoffs in Cape Breton)," said Howard Blank, vice-president of media and entertainment for Great Canadian Gaming Corp. "Cape Breton was reconfigured and downsized last year so we feel the cuts will be very minimal to Cape Breton."

Great Canadian said last month that it was disappointed with the 2007 financial results for Halifax and Sydney, especially in the last three months of the year. Gaming revenue for the two casinos was down nine per cent, to $10.6 million, in the fourth quarter, compared to the same period in 2006, while revenue for the entire year was down six per cent, to $44.6 million, compared to the previous year.

"There are a number of factors (causing the decline)," said Blank. "There is the strong Canadian dollar, there is the decline in tourism, there is the overall worry in regards to the mortgage and housing crisis, there are rumours of recession and people not spending disposable income. There is also an air of, I wouldn't say negative, but complacency among guests not thinking about us as an entertainment option."

Beyond any staffing cutbacks, Blank said there would be some noticeable changes in the Sydney property.

"We're changing the food and beverage menu at our All-star Grill and we're looking at possibly having some additional entertainment on the gaming floor in the upcoming months," said Blank. "We are reducing some of the machines on the gaming floor and that will be through attrition.

"We're also thinking of introducing some electronic table games that are exciting, like roulette, which is a game we do not have which guests have been asking for."

Between 100 and 120 people are expected to lose their jobs in Halifax and the company will also take other steps to try to make the casino more profitable, Blank said. New hours in Halifax will be 10 a.m. to 4 a.m., rather than 24 hours a day. There will also be 89 fewer slot machines and eight fewer game tables.

Elected people treated equally to rest of audience

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

First I would to thank Kaz Siepierski for attending our Municipality Matters forum at the Steelworkers and Pensioners' Club on March 26. He asks: "How could nine councillors attend a very important meeting such as this and only one get up and speak, telling us much of the problem lies with the mayor" (Elected People Should Offer Answers Instead of Asking Public, Letters, April 3)?

The Cape Breton District Labour Council has scheduled these forums for the residents of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to have a chance to tell councillors and candidates what they see as the problems and what is important to them, and to offer suggestions for solutions. If the councillors wanted to speak they were given the same opportunity and time as everyone, but not to campaign.

I think a more important question to ask is: Why could only nine of the 16 find it important enough to attend and listen to the concerns of those who elected them? We were very pleased that the nine considered it important enough to attend.

During our forum in Glace Bay we had 58 people, including five councillors (Darren Bruckschwaiger, District 5; Ray Paruch, District 8; Tom Wilson, District 9; Charlie Long, District 10; Wes Stubbert, District 16) and Mayor John Morgan, who listened to those who wanted to speak.

Those in attendance raised issues such as bus service, buying local, downsizing council, youth facilities, out-migration, the level of municipal services, and of course the municipality's legal case against the province.

Some councillors stayed around after the meeting. Of the elected officials who were there, Mayor Morgan was the only one to speak at the microphone.

Residents of CBRM have one more opportunity to inform councillors and candidates of their concerns during our municipal forum this evening, 7 p.m. at the Sydney Mines fire hall. We would like to see a large turnout and all 16 councillors and the mayor in attendance. Information from all three forums will be compiled into a newsletter to be released before the October elections.

Gary Fukala

Glace Bay

president, Cape Breton District Labour Council

In relation to a commentary posted earlier, I remember a related press release to this one which is also posted much earlier in this thread. The others mentioned in the commentary, however, I don't recall.
Company wants to look for onshore oil

Exploration company has rights to 383,000 acres in Mabou-Lake Ainslie area

Section: Front

By Tom Ayers, CAPE BRETON POST
After a lengthy period of inactivity, interest is heating up in onshore oil and gas exploration in Cape Breton.

PetroWorth Resources, a junior oil and gas exploration company out of Toronto, has obtained the rights to 383,000 acres in the Mabou-Lake Ainslie area of Inverness County and recently began contacting area residents to get permission to conduct seismic tests on private land.

A provincial Department of Energy spokesman said the company "jumped the gun" and must first hold a public meeting in the community.

"It'll be the company's meeting and government representatives will be there to answer questions on the regulatory process," said Ross McLaren.

PetroWorth president Neal Mednick said a meeting will be held in Mabou, April 17, from 5-8 p.m. The actual site was to be decided in the next day or so, he said, declining to answer any other questions.

According to a presentation on the company's website, about 200 kilometres of seismic lines are planned throughout the Mabou-Ainslie area.

Seismic testing uses energy waves to map underground formations. The type of formations discovered determine whether it is likely that oil or gas will be found.

The province's senior petroleum geophysicist with the Department of Energy, Paul Harvey, said seismic testing involves drilling a shallow shot-hole and filling it with dynamite and pea gravel, to direct the blast downward. Nearby recording equipment measures the shockwaves and a map of the underground structure is generated.

The amount of dynamite is relatively small, he said, but it is necessary because of the rock structure in Cape Breton.

"If you drop a bale of hay from 10 feet, that's the kind of thump that you get," said Harvey.

Black River resident Neal Livingston, co-chair of the Margaree Environmental Association, which is calling on the province to cancel the exploration permit, said he is not opposed to development of energy resources, including oil and gas.

However, he said, the government is going about it the wrong way, and is not informing citizens about exploration rights and resources that are being sold off.

"I think the process is designed to have as little public input as possible," said Livingston.

"It's wonderful that you're holding a public meeting, but you're already holding the permit."

Instead, he said, the province should be asking residents what kind of exploration and development process they want.

Ideally, said Livingston, the government should allow local communities to explore and develop resources to keep local energy costs down. That would provide sustainable revenues, local jobs and it would attract more residents and business.

What Nova Scotia has now is an Alberta business model that allows outside companies to raise money and earn profits while shipping energy sources out, he said.

"It's a public policy question," said Livingston. "Does the public want the same system that's in Alberta? Maybe they do and maybe they don't, but nobody ever asked us.

"Really, if you want to look at the long-term sustainability of communities, you have to look at energy. Do you want to ship it down a pipeline, or do you want to keep it in your community?"

McLaren said the regulatory regime in Nova Scotia was designed to encourage exploration to create jobs and secure royalties for the province.

The regulations contain a number of "checks and balances" to ensure that private and public property are protected, he added, and no company can conduct seismic exploration without landowner permission.

Companies that successfully bid on exploration rights are required to commit to a specific program and the amount of money they intend to spend, and are charged a security deposit to ensure the work is performed properly and that all lands are restored.

The province holds back a portion of the security in case the land is not restored satisfactorily, and the company forfeits the money if the work is not performed.

The province earns a 10 per cent royalty on any resources extracted, but in the case of onshore oil and gas, the company is initially given a two-year holiday on its first lease after production starts.

A 2004 government study on oil and gas identified the Mabou-Ainslie sub-basin as being "one of the major potential targets within Cape Breton island for future liquid (crude oil and condensate) hydrocarbon discoveries."

The study also identified potential oil and gas sites in the Bras d'Or, Loch Lomond and Sydney areas.

McLaren and Harvey said a company called Contact Exploration conducted two seismic testing programs around the River Denys and Boularderie areas five years ago, but it has since given up its exploration rights in Cape Breton.

Over the last eight years, 17 other seismic programs were carried out on the mainland, but no others have been done onshore in Cape Breton.

Overall, said Harvey, the province hasn't seen much onshore exploration over the last 20-25 years. And according to the Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia, which represents almost 400 companies in the province's petroleum industry, offshore exploration licences have declined dramatically in the last 10 years.

In December, OTANS said, the province received nearly $100 million in forfeiture money when eight offshore exploration licences expired, bringing the forfeiture total to $200 million in the last five years.

tayers@cbpost.com

Onshore bets

The history of onshore exploration in Nova Scotia:
1869 - Record of the first well drilled onshore in Nova Scotia by Lake Ainslie Oil and Salt Company on the western side of Lake Ainslie. It flowed small amounts of oil and natural gas.
1925-30 - Twenty wells drilled by Gulf Oil and Imperial Oil; the busiest five-year period of onshore drilling.
1956 - The Petroleum and Natural Gas Act was passed to guide onshore exploration.
1972-73 - Anschutz Canada Ltd. drills the deepest onshore petroleum well at Wallace Station, Cumberland County, taking eight months to reach a depth of 4,536 metres (14,883 feet).
1978-81 - Chevron Standard discovers oil in the Malagawatch area, Inverness County, while conducting a base metals program, which leads to the drilling of 13 wells.
1994 - Begins a round of drilling and evaluating coalbed methane.
1999 - Hunt Oil Company drills an exploratory well south of Truro.
Nov. 1999 - Industry invests $2 million for exploration agreements for two onshore land parcels on mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island.
Jan. 2000 - Fifteen parcels of land are held by four onshore exploration companies.
Summer 2000 - Onshore seismic programs shot by Hunt Oil and Northstar Energy Corp. This was the first seismic data acquired since 1983.
Aug. 2000 - Call for Coal Gas Exploration Proposals in the Stellarton area closes.
2001 - High level of exploration activity onshore with 550 km of seismic data acquired, with Northstar drilling five wells on their Windsor exploration agreement.
Source: Nova Scotia Department of Energy website

Because it's related to CBU's request, and I'm sure the conspiracy theories will start flowing from this as well.
Dalhousie, Memorial team up for bachelor of education in Halifax

Section: Front

Column: The Province

By CP
Nova Scotia's education minister says she's disappointed Dalhousie University is going ahead with a new bachelor of education program ahead of her response to a report on teaching levels in the province.

A recent report urged the province to cut back on teacher education because too many teachers are being produced for the number of classrooms available.

Karen Casey says the move by Dalhousie likely won't help the supply and demand issue and will also complicate the current challenge of placing student teachers in classrooms for their training practicums.

Nonetheless, she says the university has the right to enter into the agreement with Memorial University of St. John's, N.L.

The new program, which allows students to take bachelor of education courses in Halifax, will admit up to 60 students for its first year.

Graduates will be eligible for teacher certification in Nova Scotia, as well as in Newfoundland and Labrador.

I wonder if they adopted the CBU model as well. :rolleyes:

Smevo

Apr 11, 2008, 7:41 PM

Cape Breton Post

Once again, the CBRM is looking for that one "tell-all" statistic which will say we've "turned the corner". News flash guys, you have to dig deep to find indications to combine and interpret, because the latest "tell-all" statistic is 2 years old, and we won't see another one until 2012! (Friggin' election years).
Housing starts up slightly, but no strong indication population on the rise

Section: Business

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post
Construction permits for residential housing moved up slightly in 2007 in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

"What it shows is that a year later things were teensy weeny little better than they were the year before," the CBRM's manager of planning and development Malcolm Gillis said Thursday.

"So it's carrying on a trend that is basically stating - at least the housing industry is believing - that there is a bigger market potential in the CBRM than, say, in the worst years when the steel plant closed and the last of the coal mines closed."

There were 226 permits for all housing types in 2007, up from 208 in 2006.

The planning department released building permit statistics over the last 20 years Thursday. It shows a trend toward a slow recovery in the number of housing starts since the market bottomed out in 1999 due to the pending closures of the steel plant and the island's last operating coal mine.

In 1999, there were only 133 housing permits issued.

"(The 2007 figures) represent about a 70 per cent increase from the worst year. But certainly in comparison to the best years when us baby boomers were building, it's no comparison," he said.

Gillis was cautious speaking before the municipality's planning advisory committee, saying the CBRM hasn't "turned the corner," but he said the economy here is still giving people a "reason to invest."

Mayor John Morgan questioned whether an increase in housing construction truly translated into a growing population.

"There may be a circumstance in which you have, let's say, 200 or 250 buildings constructed," Morgan said.

"But if you have several hundred abandoned or (buildings) taken down at the same time, there may not be any net increase in housing stock in the region."

Gillis said the housing market's slow climb is indicative of a smaller population following their parents' baby boom generation and those baby boomers deciding to sell and move into smaller, apartment-style homes.

But much of the optimism has risen from the number of new subdivision applications that have crossed Gillis's desk. He said developers aren't just subdividing lots, but they're extending and even constructing new streets and, in turn, creating new neighbourhoods.

"There were a few years where there was little or practically none of that at all. It seems the developers out there are now prepared to make more of an investment in offering land for new development than we've seen in the last half dozen years."

He said there is nothing to indicate the number of housing permits issued will begin to slow down this construction year.

In summary, Morgan is an idiot.
By their numbers, their permits were an 8.7% increase. By the CMHC, housing starts increased 32.5% in 2007 over 2006. When the first quarter report from this year comes available, I'm sure it will show an increase this year as well, considering the increase we had in the first two months.
The worst year by CMHC housing starts was 2001, with 120 starts, the best year in the 10 year period was 2004, with 288 starts (fueled by The Wentworth and other multi-unit buildings). By comparison, 2007 was the third best year (behind 2004 and 2005 still affected by the multi-unit starts), and was 87% higher than 2001. Not tell all, but combine it with improving employment figures and the lowest apartment vacancy rate since 1989, and you seem to be getting somewhere.
There's still work to be done, but sometimes they talk as if decline is an absolute fact that can't change unless the census says it has. :rolleyes:

Tenders called for tar pond material processing facility

Section: Business

The Sydney Tar Ponds Agency has announced the tender for a material processing facility beside the north tar pond. The building, which will take about a year to complete, will be used to grade, sort and wash construction debris from the cleanup of contaminated sites.

"This is the first of 10 tenders we plan to announce over the next year and a half," said Frank Potter, president of the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency. "The agency and design engineer are working hard to meet this schedule. Although there are outside factors that can have an impact on some tendering dates, we are working diligently to finish this cleanup by our 2014 completion date."

After the material has been cleaned at the processing facility, it will be disposed of at an approved landfill, returned to the tar ponds for treatment, or recycled.

Along with processing material, the facility will have a contractor's compound to house trailers and heavy equipment. Workers will have access to shower facilities, office space, a lunchroom and a parking area.

The facility will also serve as a washing area for vehicles leaving the project area.

"This will be a hub of activity during peak construction times and is designed to meet those demands," said Potter.

Most contract requirements are expected to be filled locally. The cost of construction is about $9 million.

A second tender will be issued to operate and maintain the facility, as well as decommissioning it when cleanup is complete.

The government of Canada and province of Nova Scotia signed a Final Cost-Share Agreement in 2004, committing to jointly participate in the cleanup of the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens sites. The agreement specifies that the sites be remediated over eight years, ending in 2014. The federal government agreed to contribute up to $280 million and the provincial government's contribution is $120 million.

Louisbourg residents to get treated water next week

Section: Cape Breton

Delays in commissioning the $7.8-million Louisbourg water treatment plant have been cleared up and the facility is ready to begin servicing about 500 customers in the community sometime next week.

Commissioning of the plant had been underway since last October but deficiencies within the plant process equipment and clear wells had created problems for engineers.

Now that those problems have been fixed, Greg Penny, manager of water operations for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said water is expected to be pumped to the Fortress of Louisbourg facilities and will be monitored for a few days prior to sending water to the community.

Meanwhile, the water treatment plant in New Waterford is about 95 per cent complete, he said. Commissioning of the $11.2-million facility has started and it's anticipated the commissioning of the water treatment process equipment will start by month's end. Treated water is expected in May for residents.

On the Northside, the design of the $15.8-million Pottle Lake water treatment plant has recently been completed.

The plant will be built on property acquired by the CBRM on Musgrave Lane in North Sydney across the street from the existing pumping station. The pumping station will continue to be used as a part of the new water treatment facility.

April 25 has been set as the deadline for tenders for companies interested in the construction of this plant - the last in a series of water treatment facilities to be built across the CBRM.

Construction will likely begin in June, Penny said, with a completion date sometime in the summer of 2009.

Several municipalities, including Halifax and the CBRM, have fallen behind the province's six-year deadline to meet the guidelines of the Nova Scotia Water Protection Strategy, which was reached this month.

Paving tender called for busy Cape Breton road

Section: Cape Breton

Column: Briefly

A tender has been called for paving on one of Cape Breton's busiest roads.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal has called for tenders to repave Highway 125 from the end of the concrete barrier at Exit 6, for 8.2 kilometres to the intersection of Grand Lake Road.

The project is part of government's commitment to better roads and infrastructure.

When you start the twinning, that will be good news, not until then.

Improvements to Munro Park will highlight role it played in wartime

Section: Glace Bay/New Waterford

By Julie Collins, Cape Breton Post
Tenders close today to supply and install a replica seaplane and information kiosks at the entrance to Munro Park in North Sydney.

Work has started on improvements to the entrance to the park, which also include a memorial flag stand, coloured concrete walkways, new entrance signage, extensive landscaping and lighting.

"Munro Park is steeped in history," said regional councillor Gordon MacLeod. "These improvements will reflect that history, particularly when you consider the role the park (formerly Kelly's Beach) played in both the First and Second World Wars."

Both the United States and the British Royal Navy were involved with the naval air station at Kelly's Beach in the First World War. The base included barracks for American and Canadian servicemen. According to historians, during the Second World War, military operations at Kelly's Beach were entirely a Canadian responsibility. A large hangar was added to house a squadron of seaplanes.

"This entrance work is stage one, the upgrades to the park will continue through to the fall," MacLeod said. "The building that is presently being used by the regional municipality will be removed."

There will be improvements to the soccer fields and any portion of the boardwalk affected by the expansion of the guest home, will be replaced. The old tennis courts will be removed to make way for parking.

MacLeod said funding for the improvements came from the three levels of government and from the sale of the land for the expansion of the Northside Community Guest Home to allow for 39 additional beds.

"Earlier plans called for the artillery gun to be moved, but this isn't possible. The gun, which will be refurbished, is another important piece of our history. This work at Munro Park will enhance it as a recreation facility, but also recognize the major role this area played during wartime."

Smevo

Apr 13, 2008, 8:58 PM

Cape Breton Post

Magazine lists Star Delivery among fastest growing Atlantic Canadian companies

Section: Business

By Tom Ayers,
Star Delivery Service has experienced phenomenal sales growth in the last two years and was recently named one of the fastest growing companies in Atlantic Canada by Progress magazine.

The company, started 34 years ago by Gerald Miller, was a home-based business until 2006, when Miller decided to expand aggressively while beginning the process of handing it over to his son, Ryan.

For the last two years, Star Delivery has operated out of a brand new $300,000 warehouse and office space in the Sydport industrial park, and the company purchased a fleet of refrigerated trucks to carve out a local niche in food deliveries to restaurant and grocery stores.

Miller, 66, said the expansion was the best move he ever made, and he couldn't have done it without his son and the dedicated staff, which has grown slightly.

"We always were successful, but now we're just a little more successful," said Miller.

The company landed in 28th place on Progress magazine's list of fastest growing companies of 2008, with a 44 per cent increase in sales for 2006, Star's last complete fiscal year, and a 10 per cent increase in staff with the addition of a single full-time employee.

In 2006, Star Delivery's revenues grew by $156,000 to $509,000. Progress only considers companies with over $500,000 in annual sales for its annual list.

Star Delivery's numbers are even better for 2007, said Miller, with another 50 per cent increase in revenues and the addition of another employee.

The rapid growth in sales has been the result of a major investment in location and equipment, which has enabled the existing workforce to handle more product with only a slight increase in hours.

"We have really good employees, a dedicated workforce that really helped us along the way," said Miller.

"We were growing at the time, but with the addition of our warehouse, we were able to grow more," added 27-year-old Ryan, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at St. Francis Xavier University in 2003.

He said Star Delivery has focused on improving relationships with existing customers and suppliers, and the investment in equipment allowed the local company to fill a void that larger trucking firms from the mainland couldn't service.

"We had a good emphasis on service, and that's what brought the customers to us. We're on a first-name basis with our customers."

Miller started the company with a single half-ton truck and grew slowly over the years. He eventually had a half-dozen trucks on the road, and did his loading and unloading in the Woolco - now Wal-Mart - parking lot in Sydney River. Most of his customers were in the industrial area around Sydney.

With the expansion, the company is located close to the highway and now has six vans for courier service, a pair of refrigerated cube vans for freight deliveries, and six refrigerated trucks for the food service industry.

Regular year-round delivery routes include Cheticamp and St. Peter's and the staff has grown to 12 employees, although in summer the employee complement grows to 18.

Miller said he is now ready to retire and is confident that his son is ready to take over the reins.

"I'm pretty proud of what Ryan has done with it over the last two years," he said, and both are excited about the potential for increased business in Cape Breton for the future.

"We're looking to grow and I think we can succeed," said Miller. "I think the market is here for it."

CBRM could fall into financial hot water

Section: Front

By Chris Shannon,
The ability to pay for water system infrastructure is at the heart of the debate the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is currently faced with as outlying neighbourhoods grow in number and the demand for expansion to the water system increases.

"Where is the right focus?" CBRM utilities manager Mike MacKeigan asked members of the water utility committee earlier this week.

"Is the right focus to keep expanding regardless of what the future costs are going to be or is the right focus to address your resources on existing infrastructure that you already have an obligation to maintain, or is it a mixture of both?

"I suggest it's a mixture but the mixture has to be supported by some other means, not just the water rates because if it's based on the water rates what will end up happening here is the $400 (per residential homeowner a year) water rates we're talking about, will become $800 before you know it."

Under provincial legislation enacted in 2002, the government gave municipalities six years to meet the guidelines of the Nova Scotia Water Protection Strategy - measures put in place following the deaths of seven people in Walkerton, Ont., in 2000 after drinking water was contaminated with E. coli bacteria.

The CBRM passed an aggressive $54-million capital spending program in 2004 to build water treatment plants in communities across the municipality to ensure everyone in urban regions have access to fully treated water.

The deadline set by the province was reached this month, with several municipalities, including Halifax and the CBRM, unable to meet the deadline. However, the last water treatment plant in the CBRM is expected to be complete in North Sydney by the summer of 2009.

MacKeigan told the committee that without a policy guiding council on possible water system expansion, the municipality could find itself in a serious financial quandary.

"(If) you establish some criteria then you can start to look at whether or not this is reasonable or unreasonable to do. Is the criteria because their water is poor, or their water is untreatable or their water is a health issue?" he said.

And even in the case of provincial or federal contributions, MacKeigan said council shouldn't consider expanding the existing water infrastructure system unless the funding adds up to at least 75 per cent of the total cost of any project.

Although, Coun. Kevin Saccary noted there may be instances where expansion of the water system should be considered even if a cost-share agreement means the CBRM must bear up to half the cost of a major project.

"I'm not looking to get water extended to any individual just because their water is dirty," he said. "I've got a whole series of possible extension areas where people have absolutely no water whatsoever for the months of August and September.

"There has to be some small option for expansion."

The committee followed recommendations by staff to continue focusing capital spending on regulatory requirements, replacing substandard infrastructure and improving operational efficiency.

However the committee also included a provision that will permit council to entertain requests for service expansion only if capital funds are available and that's in addition to funding from other levels of government.

"It means we'll entertain requests. It doesn't mean we'll approve them," Coun. Gordon MacLeod reiterated. "Some may be reasonable, others may be unreasonable."

Posting this moreso for the update on the new building
YMCA of Cape Breton Empowered with award

Section: Front

The YMCA of Cape Breton received international recognition Friday, at a YMCA fundraising conference in Montreal.

The local YMCA received a first-place award for its marketing work around the Empower Building Campaign, a $10-million project to redevelop the YMCA. Twelve hundred delegates attended the conference.

The North American YMCA Development Organization award recognized the Y's marketing piece as the best in North America among YMCAs with an operating budget in the $2-million to $10-million category. The YMCA of Cape Breton's $2-million operating budget put it up against other YMCAs with budgets five times larger.

"It is quite an honour to receive an award from the organization with members from across the continent," said Melodie MacNeil, director of communications and financial development for the YMCA of Cape Breton.

The marketing piece was created to assist YMCA volunteers with raising $1.5 million in the Cape Breton community. The fundraising group has raised $1.3 million to date.

"When we discussed what a new YMCA would do for Cape Bretoners, we immediately came up with Empower. That was the starting point of our campaign theme and it captures our strong, resilient nature. It also speaks to what we do at our YMCA every day, helping people building better lives for themselves."

Last year, 21,000 people used the services of the YMCA.

In order for the marketing piece to make it to the final judging round, it had to pass a long list of criteria: possessing a distinctive calibre of excellence, supporting a fundraising effort, demonstrating success, inspiring a gift, evoking emotion and portraying the YMCA's mission and goals.

"We are particularly proud that this piece was created locally, which speaks to the fact that we have people and resources of an international calibre right here in Cape Breton," said Andre Gallant, CEO of the YMCA.

While YMCA staff carried the vision for the piece, Springboard Studios of Sydney, managed the graphic design and City Printers carried the piece through to completion.

NAYDO is an organization committed to helping YMCAs improve their philanthropic efforts through education, advocacy, research, events and information sharing.

Smevo

Apr 15, 2008, 3:29 AM

Cape Breton Post

Co-operative approach needed on ports

Three areas of province would stand to benefit

Section: Comment

By Keith MacDonald,
A new era in global trade is here. It has broad implications, including some that are pretty obvious for Atlantic Canada.

Leading industrialized countries are experiencing new levels of growth. Demand for industrial and consumer products continues to rise. The quantities and types of goods making their way to North American factories and homes are mind-boggling.

On the other side of the planet, countries such as India and China are working to keep pace with world demand. The need to move large quantities of product on a timely basis is greater than ever and is expected to continue to grow.

At the centre of all this is containerized cargo shipping.

Against this backdrop, Atlantic Canada is looking to position itself to play a key role in growing global trade.

A concept has emerged that many think has huge potential. The idea is that the region's cargo-handling port infrastructure can be enhanced as part of a larger plan to benefit the region as a whole.

Atlantic Canada as a major gateway to North American markets takes a bit of getting used to. Each time an expert steps forward to say we have what it takes, we find it difficult to believe. But the facts speak for themselves.

The need to move product from Asia to our continent is obvious. Major ports of call are struggling with capacity challenges. Alternatives must be found and an Atlantic Canada Gateway is one option.

Eastern Nova Scotia is home to three modern and versatile port facilities. The Port of Halifax, the Strait Superport and the Ports of Sydney are all to be congratulated on the strides taken to show their potential and overall readiness to engage the Atlantic Gateway model.

Here in Cape Breton, significant resources have been engaged to develop long-term growth strategies for both of the area's key port infrastructures. The Master Ports Plan for Sydney was recently completed and a similar study will soon begin for the Strait Superport.

With all of this in mind, the port leadership of Nova Scotia will be meeting in Sydney today to discuss how best to work together to strengthen Nova Scotia's positioning within the Atlantic Gateway.

The federal government promised $2.1 billion in Gateway funding over seven years in its March 2007 budget. But not all of this public sector investment is earmarked for Atlantic Canada.

Large sums of the Atlantic Gateway dollars will be siphoned away from Atlantic Canada to deal with southern Ontario border crossing concerns, Quebec ports and other central Canadian transportation issues.

This means it is more important than ever for Nova Scotia ports to build bridges between themselves, even if in small ways, and to concentrate on improved communication and marketing efforts.

Co-operation and focus will be the keys to success for the Atlantic Gateway strategy.

Developing a plan for long-term Nova Scotia port growth should be a priority, and today's port leadership meeting will be a good first step towards that goal.

Let's hope it marks the formation of a new, dedicated port team working together for the benefit of our region.

Keith MacDonald is executive director of the Cape Breton Partnership.

Transportation gateway idea needs an Atlantic-wide vision

Section: Comment

By Darrell Dexter,
Recently I spoke to the Sydney Chamber of Commerce about the positive signs in Cape Breton's economy. Innovative Cape Breton companies are exporting everything from energy-efficient windows to award-winning software. And they are exporting their products around the world.

Another positive sign is the bright future ahead for coal. Recently I attended an energy conference where the consensus among energy experts was that the era of cheap oil is over. The end of cheap oil is going to bring change, and for Cape Breton it could be a very good thing. The upside is that coal is going to be in demand to replace oil and natural gas, even with the world moving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as we must.

Xstrata expects to start mining coal at Donkin in the next three years. How can Cape Breton make the most of this opportunity?

The first step is to dredge the mouth of Sydney Harbour. Coal can't get to market if modern bulk carriers are unable to get in and out of Sydney. Dredging is an essential infrastructure investment for Sydney to become part of the Atlantic Gateway.

The Gateway will happen, based on hard-nosed business decisions. A winning strategy must ensure that Sydney, as a container port, is competitive. Right now we have a Sydney Gateway Council, a Halifax Gateway Council, and most recently a Southern New Brunswick Gateway Council, all working independently.

I propose an Atlantic Canadian Gateway Council that would co-ordinate Gateway projects and make sure public investments are strategic and effective. Otherwise, one-time infrastructure funding could be wasted.

I have put forward legislation to establish an Atlantic Gateway Secretariat to support this work. It must involve the co-operation of the entire region so all four Atlantic provinces can start competing with the world instead of competing with each other.

Governments are responsible for providing key physical infrastructure investments but social infrastructure investments are equally important. That's why I support the establishment of a Bachelor of Education program at Cape Breton University.

Every region of the province except Cape Breton has an education program. The youth of Cape Breton should be able to train at home to become teachers in their own communities and across Canada. CBU is an important engine of growth for Cape Breton and the MacDonald government should allow it to expand.

This is a priority for the NDP and something we will continue to pressure the government on as we head back to Province House on April 24.

The NDP will soon have a budget to vote on. I don't know what that budget will look like but I do know the premier seems to think there is plenty of money available. In fact, over the last month or so, Rodney MacDonald's government has been on a spending spree. On March 31, the last day of the fiscal year, the premier announced he would be spending 30 per cent of the Crown share. The Crown share is the settlement of an old offshore dispute with Ottawa. It could be several hundreds of millions of dollars. It's money we don't yet have.

If MacDonald applied the entire Crown share to the debt, it would cut the province's interest payments by $30 million each and every year. Instead of a one-time spending spree, there would be this extra money this year and every year to invest in our roads, ports, hospitals and schools. That is the responsible thing to do. And that's what all three parties agreed to do just a few years ago.

Under Dr. John Hamm's leadership as premier, all parties agreed to put any future "extraordinary revenue" on the province's $12 billion debt. Most agree that the Crown share qualifies as "extraordinary revenue." MacDonald, perhaps gearing up for a possible spring election, has gone back on the promise to make tackling our debt a priority.

These days Nova Scotians expect their leaders to be more careful with public money. After all, it's is our kids' inheritance.

Darrell Dexter is leader of the Official Opposition and the Nova Scotia NDP.

Although it seems to be a "in case of possible election" letter, he did make some good points.

New wastewater regulations could cost CBRM $400M: mayor

Section: Front

Eighteen mayors from Atlantic Canada have called on the federal government to rethink new national wastewater standards, which Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor John Morgan says could cost CBRM $400 million.

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment plans to establish new minimum standards that would require municipalities to treat all wastewater before discharging it. In a news release Saturday, the Atlantic Mayors' Congress called on the government to change its plan, or come up with funding for municipalities.

CBRM would be especially hard hit by new standards, Morgan said, because it is an amalgamation of communities, each of which has sewer outfalls that combine stormwater with treated sewage wastewater.

All of the outfalls in CBRM would have to be brought together with collectors, he said, and stormwater would have to be separated from septic wastewater.

MP Peter MacKay said the federal government already funds a number of infrastructure programs that help municipalities and it would fund wastewater upgrades, as well.

"These projects are expensive and they certainly do require partnering with the federal government and we recognize that," he said.

Morgan said existing federal infrastructure funds would be inadequate, especially if CBRM's project alone costs $400 million and estimates are that wastewater projects could total $24 billion across the country.

"They have existing infrastructure programs in place, but certainly nothing of this magnitude," he said.

Smevo

Apr 15, 2008, 9:22 PM

Cape Breton Post

Provincial ports representatives map out strategy at Sydney meeting

Section: Business

By Doug MacKenzie, Cape Breton Post
Representatives from Nova Scotia's three major ports gathered in Sydney Monday to discuss ways to work together for a bigger and better future.

Organized by the Sydney Ports Advocacy Council, the meeting held at the Sydney Marine Terminal included officials from the Strait of Canso Superport Corporation, the Halifax Port Authority and the Sydney Port Corporation-Sydney Marine Group.

"We are pleased to meet (Monday) to discuss areas where we may be able to co-operate to sell Nova Scotia in the global marketplace as Canada's east coast gateway to North America," said Owen Fitzgerald, president of the Sydney & Area Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the advocacy council.

Monday was the first time all three ports have met and while it was billed as the first step in establishing relationships, Fitzgerald was pleased with how the session went.

"We had an excellent meeting with great participation," said Fitzgerald. "Everybody agrees that there are many areas to co-operate on, so they are planning follow-up meetings and attempt to get clarity and dialogue with different levels of government.

"It went much better than we could have expected and as far as the Port Advocacy Council, we just wanted to bring all these key players to the table and suggest there could be benefit for the whole province to have this co-operation, especially with the huge opportunities that are presenting themselves."

"There was a lot of information-sharing at the meeting today," added Stephen Tobin, president of JCI Cape Breton. "All the ports have a variety of different experiences and areas of expertise and I think we can all benefit from taking the time to learn from each other as we define areas of collaboration and potential for future growth."

This first meeting took several months to arrange, but going forward, Fitzgerald said plans are moving at a quicker pace.

"I think we're only talking about a matter of weeks," he said. "There are a few different items they are discussing that they hope will happen before the first of June, so there will be additional meetings very soon."

Non-CBRM
Seven communities to receive water system upgrades

Section: Cape Breton

By Tom Ayers, CAPE BRETON POST
Seven Cape Breton communities will benefit from $5.7 million in funding for water system upgrades, announced Sunday by the federal and provincial governments.

The total funding is split evenly three ways between the federal and provincial governments and the municipalities involved.

The announcement, in Port Hood, covered $2.8 million for 1,300 households in five communities in Inverness County, $2.6 million for 1,300 households in the town of Port Hawkesbury, and $300,000 for about 100 households in Little Narrows, Victoria County.

Premier Rodney MacDonald said the province sets careful guidelines for drinking water treatment, especially since the E. coli catastrophe in Walkerton, Ont., eight years ago, and the government recognizes the need to support those standards with financial assistance to municipalities.

"We believe that by investing in the infrastructure, especially in our smaller communities, we're investing in people," MacDonald said.

The funding is part of the six-year, $133-million Canada-Nova Scotia Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.

"Population-wise in Nova Scotia, we've made significant progress, but there still are a number of communities" that need infrastructure funds, said MacDonald, adding that more announcements will be made in the future.

Peter MacKay, minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, said the federal government funds one-third of the infrastructure projects because it recognizes that "clean, healthy drinking water is a pretty fundamental requirement for all communities."

Along with several other programs, including one that provides funds specifically for smaller communities, the federal government is "making the largest investment in infrastructure in Canada in more than a half a century," said MacKay.

tayers@cbpost.com

Water works

Seven communities will share in $3.8 million in federal-provincial funding for water system upgrades and their municipalities will kick in additional $1.9 million. The water projects include:
Inverness - new well, disinfection system and reservoir
Judique - new filtration system, analyzer and chlorination
Mabou - new well, treatment system, building, analyzer, controls and reservoir
Port Hood - new well, analyzer, controls and chlorination system
Whycocomagh - analyzer, controls and meters
Port Hawkesbury - design and upgrade of existing water treatment system
Little Narrows - a new water tower reservoir

Rodney's so predictable...only one of these communities is outside Inverness County, and all the Inverness ones are southern Inverness (in/near his riding).

Mayor intends to sue province over strip mining

Boularderie citizens suggest becoming more militant as frustration mounts

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Tom Ayers, CAPE BRETON POST
About 80 people gathered inside the local community centre, Monday, to express frustration at the fact that an open surface coal mine is operating just a few kilometres away, and several people at the meeting - hosted by Citizens Against Strip Mining - suggested they might need to become more militant in their protests.

Meanwhile, Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor John Morgan told the crowd the provincial government is treating Cape Bretoners as "second-class citizens" by allowing the mine to proceed in the face of stiff local opposition, and he said the municipal government needs to do everything it can to try to stop strip mining.

Morgan publicly said he intends to have a motion passed by CBRM council authorizing him to take all steps necessary to oppose strip mining, which he said in an interview afterwards will include taking the provincial government to court.

CASM spokesperson Jean Sawyer said an appeal of the permit that allowed Pioneer Coal Ltd. of Westville to begin mining the former Prince Mine site in Point Aconi was dismissed by the provincial environment minister, and all other avenues of appeal have been exhausted, except launching a court case.

Sawyer said CASM must decide if it wishes to proceed with a court challenge and, if so, it must raise a lot of money.

"We have no dollar figure, but you can bet the government will try and depocket us as quickly as possible," she said.

"This municipality is facing a broad-based effort by the provincial government, a broad-based assault by the provincial government," Morgan said. "The municipal government is really the only defence the people of this community has."

He said citizens obviously do not have the financial resources to be able to take a government to court, so the municipal government must step forward.

"It's not a bad thing or a negative thing . . . that's what the courts are there for," Morgan said.

After a presentation by Michelle Symes that included photos of the mining progress and a history of local citizens' opposition to it, several politicians voiced their support for CASM, including Morgan, CBRM Coun. Wes Stubbert, Victoria County Coun. Fraser Patterson, Conservative MLA for Victoria-The Lakes Keith Bain, and federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May.

A number of residents complained about the dust, noise and especially the blasting from the nearby mine.

"Today was even worse than ever," said Gary MacLean, who lives near the mine site. "A picture fell off my mother's wall and broke."

Val Fulford, who also lives nearby, said since the blasting started, she has spent $1,000 to get rid of water that has flooded her basement and knocked out her furnace.

Several people suggested that the citizens' group might have to start barricading roads to get its message across.

"If we need to occupy the premier's office to bring the message we won't be silenced, I'll be there," said Sierra Club member Bruno Marcocchio.

"You know, it may be coming to that point," agreed CASM treasurer Russell MacDonald.

"I really think we're going to have to somehow up it a notch," said Sharon MacLeod.

CASM member Donna Stubbert said radical action has been discussed in the past, but the group has tried to focus on positive action.

However, she said, "you have meeting after meeting, rally after rally, and they don't listen. People are frustrated."

She said CASM will have to have another meeting following the public session in order to discuss its next steps, which could include launching a court appeal and taking stronger protest action.

Brief history:
Several strip mines were proposed, but the province put a moratorium on strip mining after this one was cleared.
Some believe the moratorium length is dependent on the success or failure of this mine.
Local opposition (from more than just Boularderie Island) was strong and vocal from the outset, but was systematically ignored along the way.
Other issues involving this mine involved the lack of environmental assessment (at least independent ones), among other concerns.

Smevo

Apr 15, 2008, 9:54 PM

Action Week Fireworks

Action Week is a Sydney-wide 9 day festival of sport tournaments, concerts, and activities that has been happening since long before amalgamation. The first full week in August marks action week, starting on the preceeding Saturday and ending with the final concert and fireworks on Sunday.

All images Credit: Haunt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/haunt/sets/72157602227070276/

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Helladog

Apr 15, 2008, 10:42 PM

Nice find...really colourful!

Smevo

Apr 17, 2008, 3:52 AM

I was planning to post more urban-related photos, but the colours of these won me over. :)

Smevo

Apr 18, 2008, 2:32 AM

Cape Breton Post

Advanced Glazings may yet rise again

Local business community hopeful things will turn around

Section: Business

By Chris Hayes,
A Cape Breton business leader hopes Advanced Glazings will recover from financial problems that led to the layoff of its workforce.

Owen Fitzgerald, president of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday he hopes to see the innovative company reopen.

"I don't know a lot of the details," he said. "We need more companies like that. It's unfortunate but that's part of business that some companies do well and succeed and some don't succeed.

"There can be many, many reasons for it, whether it's economic, the general economy, leadership, whatever. I'm not sure of exactly what went wrong there.

"It's unfortunate."

Advanced Glazings manufactures a product called Solera, a line of translucent, insulated glass designed to better distribute sunlight entering windows.

The company laid off its workforce of about 30 Friday, except for a skeleton crew finishing up some orders.

Company president Rob Nearing blamed a cash flow problem for the situation, saying it was ceasing operations temporarily but he has no plans to close down permanently.

Advanced Glazings has received loans from Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency that it has been repaying but did not draw upon offers of financial assistance from the Nova Scotia government.

D.A. Landry of ECBC said Wednesday Advanced Glazings has received a total of $2.5 million in various forms of assistance from ECBC and ACOA since 1996 and has repaid $1.3 million.

"They are up to date with their repayment schedule," he said.

Landry said $1.6 million was in the form of repayable loans, $733,000 was provisionally repayable based on the successful commercialization of the product and $196,000 was non-repayable.

The provincial government, through Nova Scotia Business Inc., approved up to $780,000 in payroll rebates for Advanced Glazings Ltd. in December 2006 but the company has not drawn on the funding, said spokesperson Sarah Levy.

Levy thought the rebates are still available to the company.

Last October, the provincial Economic Development Department announced a $2-million loan to Advanced Glazings from the province's Industrial Expansion Fund but the company has not drawn on that funding either, according to department spokesperson Heather Dion.

Dion said the deadline for the loan has expired.

Last year, the company was named in a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by former president and CEO Doug Milburn, who invented the energy-efficient glass and founded the firm.

Commentary
Bits of Alberta would be OK

Section: Comment

Neal Livingston figures we might want to put a stop to the "Albertaization of Nova Scotia." Hmm, maybe the groundswell that he's sensing is the rumble of thousands of Cape Bretoners commuting to and from Fort McMurray. Our guess is that Cape Bretoners would be happy to bring back a piece of debt-free Alberta on their boots. Wild Rose country can keep the tar sands and the chuck wagon races; we'll take a few of those horse head oil well pumps, nodding against the sunset, that used to symbolize western oil wealth until gigantic dump trucks obliterated the skyline.

Livingston is an independent hydro-electric power producer, film maker and environmental activist based in Inverness County, right around where Petroworth Resources Inc. hopes to carry out a onshore seismic exploration program for oil and gas. In a letter to this newspaper as co-chair of the Margaree Environmental Association (Company Wants to Look for Onshore Oil, April 10), Livingston lamented the lack of public consultation over the rules for petroleum exploration and development, and called for Petroworth's permit to be cancelled - surely without any hope of that happening.

Petroworth Resources Inc. of Calgary has been active in the Maritimes for years and now wants to step up its exploration of 383,000 acres in the Mabou-Lake Ainslie. A public meeting was planned for this evening in Mabou to explain plans for shooting 200 kilometres of seismic lines.

Onshore seismic testing uses small dynamite charges to generate shock waves. The echoes are analyzed to produce a picture of underground geology. Though onshore seismic is much milder and less controversial than testing offshore with airgun blasts, it does involve intrusion on private property, requiring consent of the owners. A typical concern is that private water wells might be harmed.

Based on history, it's highly unlikely that onshore oil and gas will explode into a monster industry in Nova Scotia. The first exploration well in the province was drilled, amazingly, in 1869, and since then well over 100 have been sunk without a commercial field going into production. Triangle Petroleum of Calgary thinks its close with its unconventional shale gas in the Kennetcook area of Hants County and plans to spend $37 million there this year on exploration and development.

In Cape Breton, the best remembered effort was by Chevron Standard in the late '70s and early '80s. After an accidental oil show in the Malagawatch area of Inverness County during a base metals search, another 13 wells were drilled.

Maybe Mull River will turn out to be Canada's second Leduc. More realistically, enough petroleum might be found to sustain small-scale production and stimulate further interest in the exploring the region. There is no little reason to fear that any significant environmental insult is about to occur.

Livingston raises a valid point about the relative lack of local benefit that often results from such resource extractions but his call for petroleum resources to be consumed locally (or even within the province) is no answer, and indeed makes little sense. The Corridor Resources gasfield near Sussex, N.B., supplies a small amount of its production to a nearby potash mine but most of the gas is pipelined out. Even on the relatively large scale of Sable gas, finding a way to use the resource directly for the benefit of Nova Scotia has proved problematic at best.

Another commentary
Glace Bay school project in limbo long enough

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

I see the Nova Scotia government has announced $24 million for a new school in Yarmouth. I wonder if that's the money that was earmarked for a new junior high school in Glace Bay, for which there seems to be no agreement on location.

With arguments over subsidence of mine workings and where best to locate a school, we are our own worst enemies. I have no doubt the school will be front and centre come election time, with everyone looking to score Brownie points.

Apparently the Highland Street site was undermined, and the neighbours in and around the swamplands on Wallace's Road don't want the traffic that would be generated from a school.

I had the opportunity last year to view an architect's drawing and plot plan for a new school on Donkin Highway that was very impressive. This parcel of land is behind Forrest Street and Maple Avenue, and borders the back road from the site of the former heavy water plant to Lake Road. This area has lots of room for expansion. Apparently testing was done, and obviously money was spent to prepare a layout for this site. Bus turnaround space and parking were included in these drawings.

I think people are hearing "Donkin highway" and think the school is going to Donkin. No matter where the school goes, there will be busing issues. If a move isn't made soon, at least to announce a definite site, we will be left out in the cold (or, in the case of the two present schools, out in the old barns) for another five years.

Please, someone, get this project on track!

Stan Peach

Glace Bay

You can solve own problems: McKenna

Section: Front

By Nancy King,
Cape Breton is facing significant economic challenges but its people need to think positively and realize they can solve those problems themselves, Frank McKenna says.

The former New Brunswick premier and former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. spoke to a capacity crowd at a luncheon at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, Wednesday.

For every situation, there is some bad and some good, McKenna said, but people have to focus on the good.

"The helping hand that you're looking for here, as well as across the region, can be found right at the end of your own arm," he said. "Nobody is going to come in and do it for us. On the other hand, nobody but nobody ever walked in and put a spot on our forehead and said you're a doomed and disadvantaged people."

McKenna's visit was presented by the Cape Breton University Alumni Association, the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce and TD Bank Financial Group, of which McKenna is now deputy chair.

Between 1996-2006, while Canada's population grew by 2.8 million, Cape Breton lost 10 per cent of its population base and thousands of jobs supported by the coal and steel industries, he noted.

Unemployment remains much higher than the national average, although he noted it is much less than it was at its peak.

While that poses challenges, he said having an available pool of labour could help attract employers to the region at a time when there are labour shortages across the country.

Even having many Cape Bretoners working in the Alberta oil patch can be seen somewhat positively, he said, because they are sending paycheques home. People may also be able to bring back to Cape Breton the skills they've developed elsewhere and their new ideas.

"It may not be the ideal situation but it's not a bad result to have access to those high-paying jobs for your skilled labour force," he said.

The first step toward recovery is recognizing that you have a problem and that no one else can solve the problem for you, McKenna said.

The region lost large, well-paying blue-collar industries, but they cast a shadow over other smaller businesses on the island, McKenna said.

Cape Breton can also look to a country like Finland as an example, McKenna said, a region from resource extraction to resource innovation.

The business environment in Cape Breton is very competitive and the region has success stories that give people reason for confidence and serve as selling points, including the First Nations community of Membertou and companies such as Keata Pharma, Protocase, local call centres and the Newpage paper mill, which continues to operate while mills across North America are shutting down. The region is also making the most of the $400-million cleanup of the Sydney tar ponds, employing local people and developing a local centre of excellence.

There is potential for new development as well, McKenna said, noting the possible development of a container terminal in Sydney, construction of a resort in Louisbourg and the possible reopening of the Donkin mine.

Why it takes a former NB Premier to tell the community (*cough* and council *cough*) these things is beyond me.

mylesmalley

Apr 18, 2008, 3:10 AM

For the record, a LOT of people have called the maritimes doomed, including the prime minister (defeatists). Hell, just pick up any newspaper in New Brunswick and you'll see just how doomed we are. The opinion pages are fun that way.

That aside, McKenna is totally right. We have all the potential in the world. We just need to reach out and grab at it.

Smevo

Apr 19, 2008, 4:37 AM

^I think he was trying to get at the idea that nobody can hold an area down if its residents are determined to fight. We have the reputation and history of being fighters, we just need some leaders (not necessarily current leaders or politicians) to ignite the fire. Same story in a lot of the "depressed" areas of the Maritimes, really. There's some fighters emerging from my generation, so things should start noticably (even to council and John Whalley) turning around soon.

Smevo

Apr 20, 2008, 8:10 PM

Cape Breton Post

We're back to the Lake Uist wind/hydro project
Richmond council concerned about proposed hydro/wind turbine project

Warden wants answers on ecosystem and fish habitat of Lake Uist

Section: Business

By Chris Hayes,
Richmond County council will raise a number of environmental concerns about a proposed hydro/wind turbine energy project at Lake Uist during a series of public open house sessions next week.

Warden John Boudreau said council is concerned about how the proposed Cape Breton Explorations Ltd. project will affect the ecosystem and fish habitat of Lake Uist, Loch Lomond and Grand River, the potential for contamination with methyl-mercury and the potential for harm to the aquifer supplying fresh water to the area.

"We have fish habitat, we've got homeowners, we've got the entire tourism sector, we've got the sport fishing sector: there are a lot of activities that will be impacted by this project," he said.

The project, proposed by Cape Breton Explorations Ltd., would feed wind-generated power from 44 wind turbines directly into the electrical power grid during the day when demand is high.

Then in the off hours at night, the wind turbines would supply power to pump water from Lake Uist through a buried penstock to a reservoir some three kilometres away and more than 100 metres higher.

The pumped water would later flow back down the penstock to drive one or two turbines producing more electricity before dispersing into the lower lake from whence it came.

The New Waterford and Area Fish and Game Association has also raised concerns that the turbines could disturb the temperature of Grand River and hurt the fish population and the Pitu'paq committee, comprising Cape Breton's municipalities, First Nations communities and government agencies, has called for a full panel federal environmental assessment and independent Mi'kmaq environmental assessment. The public has been invited to attend the open houses which will be held from 4-8 p.m. each day; April 21 at Loch Lomond fire hall, April 22 at Grand River fire hall and April 23 at Big Pond community fire hall.

Consulting firm CBCL, which has been hired by Cape Breton Explorations Ltd. to do environmental assessment and engineering work on the project, has organized the open houses.

Luciano Lisi, the chief financial officer for Cape Breton Exploration Ltd. and developer of the project, noted the public meetings are required by the provincial Environment Department as part of its terms of reference for an environmental assessment of the project.

Environmental assessments are a long process often taking several years, he said.

Lisi said there will be answers to some questions at the public meetings and other questions are being addressed in studies.

"Some areas we have answers, some we are just at the design stage and studying exactly the same things that Richmond County and others have concerns about, and those, people must not forget, are exactly our same concerns.

"We plan to meet all those concerns with positive answers. It's as simple as that."

The project wouldn't receive approval and be allowed to proceed if there are negative effects on the lake and river, he said.

Lisi said he already knows methyl-mercury is a non-issue since the project doesn't include plans to flood areas of vegetation which can raise the presence of that chemical.

If engineers find there will be adverse affects on fish populations, the lake can be restocked, he said.

Commentary on the debt situation, and on a councillor's position on it, concerning the water/wastewater treatment plants.
Treatment plants all the rage

Section: Comment

Alarmed by the growth in municipal debt, Councillor Ray Paruch protested last month that the excuse of capital obligations imposed by senior government for projects such as water and sewer isn't good enough. Actually, though, it's rather a good excuse, if one chooses to call it that, and there are indications it will be an even better excuse in future as demands for capital spending strain the ability of this and other municipalities to pay.

Earlier this month, managers of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's water utility briefed the politicians on a massive seven-year capital program to bring water systems up to new post-Walkerton standards. CBRM will be about a year past the deadline set by the province when the planned Pottle Lake treatment plant is completed by fall 2009 at an estimated cost of $15.8 million. Water plants in Louisbourg and New Waterford, costing $19 million, are just coming into service.

While there has been help from federal-provincial infrastructure funding and there is municipal cost recovery built into water rates, it's still a burden that property owners with treated water service have to bear. And now the question is where the utility goes from here. How does it respond to demands for water service extensions, and in places like Sydney River for entire new systems?

The short answer is that the utility will concentrate on looking after what it has, but together with the municipality will consider system growth when that is justified and affordable. It's not clear what that will mean in practice.

Meanwhile, though, there's a potentially bigger requirement for municipal capital investment coming from that other level of government. Federal Environment Minister John Baird sent a shiver though many municipal offices when he declared that Ottawa will very shortly unveil regulations requiring secondary treatment of sewage dumped into lakes, rivers and oceans. Mayor John Morgan ballparks such a program at $400 million in CBRM.

Baird's heads-up prompted the Atlantic Mayors' Congress to ask the federal government for flexibility in new national waste water standards that would consider the actual risk of sewage discharges in particular locations. The mayors are worried about cost. Baird's offering $8 billion, expecting that provinces and municipalities will each match that, but some are wondering whether all this federal money would be "new." Besides, the mayor of Charlottetown, for one, says the one-third each formula is no longer adequate and senior governments will have to come in with better percentages - a sentiment that would be heartily seconded in CBRM.

Necessary though all of this may be, systems for piping and treating both water and sewer are dauntingly expensive to build and maintain. These will be key drivers of municipal debt, which in CBRM is projected to top $105 million by the end of this fiscal year. And there's no easy answer for what to do about it at the municipal level except to work through collective lobbies to press for flexibility and adequately financed support from senior government.

It's important for voters to bear these aspects of the capital spending issue in mind as campaigning municipal politicians come at them in the months ahead waving their arms about debt but offering little in the way of feasible solutions.

The last sentence is probably the most important one in the whole commentary.

Donkin community group holding auction to raise funds for major project

Building would be multi-purpose structure

Section: Glace Bay/New Waterford

By Sharon Montgomery,
The public is invited to a unique auction in Donkin - topped off with a cup of tea.

"We asked the community to make some sweets, we'll have tea and a nice dessert table there," said Faith Dillon, chairperson of the fundraising committee member of the Donkin-Port Caledonia Rural Development Association.

The spring auction is being held Sunday, April 27 at the Bayplex in Glace Bay. A silent auction will take place 6-8 p.m. and the regular auction at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5, which includes refreshments.

Dillon said there will be all kinds of fabulous items up for auction, 10 dozen lobster, green fees, Seaside Cable packages, hotel packages, paintings, gym packages and tools just to mention a few.

"On behalf of the association we want to thank each and everyone who helped in any way with this fundraiser."

Patron will be able to pay by Visa, interact and cash payments. No personal cheques will be accepted.

For tickets phone 737-1124 or tickets can be purchased at the door.

Dillon said the proceeds will go towards their third major community project, a 6,000-square-foot community centre, at a cost of about $1.5 million.

The group has applied for government funding, but needs to fundraise a substantial amount as well.

The centre will house the fire department, community hall, offices for community groups to share, tourist kiosk, heritage centre, youth centre and coffee shop.

The association was formed to make improvements to the community.

A state-of-the-art playground was constructed and opened in 2006.

The Veterans Memorial Community Park, located next to the playground, opened in July 2007. The community centre will be located in the same area.

The association is also selling tickets for their Lucky Duck draw, which takes place May 2. Tickets are $1 and include prizes of $3,000 for first place, $500 for second place and their place, a weekend getaway in Halifax. Tickets will be available at the auction.

Dillon said their planning committee is currently making plans for community celebrations called Coastal Days, to be held July 18- 27.

Smevo

Apr 22, 2008, 2:30 AM

Cape Breton Post

Full details should be out tomorrow, there's a mini-story online, but I haven't checked it yet. I figure I'll wait until it's printed in entirety.
Louisbourg funding to be announced

Fortress celebrations, business facade programs expected

Section: Front

By Tom Ayers, CAPE BRETON POST
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is set to make major funding announcements this morning for at least two important programs in Louisbourg.

Several sources said funding will be announced for this summer's celebrations around the 250th anniversary of the second siege of the fortress and for a downtown business facade redevelopment program.

In addition, one source said the announcement could also include funding for private developers of the $300-million luxury home subdivision at Grand Lake that includes the Louisbourg Resort Golf and Spa.

A media advisory from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation says Gerald Keddy, parliamentary secretary to ACOA minister Peter MacKay, will make a number of important announcements at 10:30 a.m. in the Louisbourg Fire Hall, and posters have been put up around town inviting the public to attend.

The business facade improvement program provides matching funds for businesses along Main Street to renovate and improve storefronts. The program was announced last year and business applications were expected to come in earlier this year.

This morning's announcement is expected to include at least $350,000 for Louisbourg's summer events planned around the 250th anniversary of the second siege of the fortress, sources said.

The fortress is North America's largest historical reconstruction project, with a large costumed interpretation program depicting life in 1744.

After years of fighting between the French and British, in 1758, the British took the French-built fort for the last time in a battle that became known as the second siege, which ultimately led to Britain's dominance over the French and the creation of the Dominion of Canada.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the battle, Fortress Louisbourg will host several special events, including an encampment in July with military and civilian French, British and native re-enactors and settlers.

The town of Louisbourg will also host several cultural heritage festivals, waterfront activities and picnics.

Louisbourg officials expect the events to draw thousands of tourists to the town and the fortress, which is a popular national historical site.

Meanwhile, earlier this year ECBC gave the Grand Lake subdivision developers $750,000 for a new sewer system and loaned the developers $500,000 for marketing.

The funds were never announced publicly.

Smevo

Apr 22, 2008, 3:01 AM

As I suspected the housing starts for the first quarter (also the slowest quarter) are up over the first quarter of 2007, to the tune of 86.7%. The first quarter stacks up like this:
(Recall: 2007 full year 32.5% increase over 2006)
- 86.7% increase over Q1 2007
- 17.6% decrease over Q1 2005 (best quarter since 2000 which is start of free data I have access to).
- 2nd best Q1 since 2000 (best, as mentioned, Q1 2005)
- 460% increase over 2000 (worst Q1 in period, tied with 2001)
- 2008 Q1 starts more than 2000 Q1, 2001 Q1, and 2002 Q1 starts combined!
- 3rd largest year-over-year increase for Q1 (2002 Q1 1st, 2005 Q1 2nd).

If we keep this up, council and John Whalley might actually notice! :haha:

Smevo

Apr 22, 2008, 6:00 AM

Just created this in Google Maps.

http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/95964251.jpg
You can explore the map itself here! (http://maps.google.ca/maps?ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=Sydney,+NS,+Canada&um=1&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title)

http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/95964743.jpg
Also did one for Sydney Area Traffic (http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hl=en&msa=0&t=h&z=11)

Counts came from CBRM and NSDOT
Light Blue is 2-lane, 10,000 to 13,000 vpd
Dark Blue is 4-lane, 15,000 to 20,000 vpd
Light Orange is 2-lane, 13,000 to 15,000 vpd
Dark Orange is 4-lane, 20,000 to 25,000 vpd
Light Red is 2-lane, >15,000 vpd
Dark Red is 4-lane, >25,000 vpd

Busiest 2-lane section (higway):
Hwy 125 between GLR and George St - 17,000 to 19,000 vpd (100km/h)

Busiest 4-lane section (highway):
Hwy 4 (Glace Bay Highway) Grand Lake Rd - 18,000 to 22,000 vpd (80km/h)

Busiest 2-lane section (urban):
Sydney River Bridge - 15,000 to 18,000 vpd (50km/h)

Busiest 4-lane section (urban):
Hwy 4 (King's Road) Sydney River - 28,000 to 31,000 vpd (50km/h)

Busiest section TCH (Hwy 105):
Florence to Hwy 125 interchange - 12,000 to 16,000 vpd (80km/h and 70km/hr)

As a comparison, DOT is twinning Hwy 101 with this statement: (http://www.gov.ns.ca/tran/highwayops/hwy101.asp)
"Traffic volumes have been increasing steadily over the past several years. They currently range from 11,000 to 13,000 vehicles per day and are at the point where twinning is an appropriate measure for increasing highway service levels."

That's all the useless facts for now, though I have a tonne more. ;)

Smevo

Apr 23, 2008, 1:55 AM

Cape Breton Post

Louisbourg residents now drinking treated water

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes, Cape Breton Post
Consumers are getting fully treated drinking water now that the Cape Breton Regional Municipality has opened the taps at its new $7.8-million plant in the community.

Greg Penny, manager of water operations, said the fully treated water began to flow Thursday at a rate of about 200,000 gallons a day to some 500 customers in Louisbourg.

Consumers are getting cleaner water than they got in the previous supply which had a yellow tinge because of the organic content, he said.

"You will see crystal clear (water)."

The regional municipality has different rates for fully treated and partly treated water. Fully treated water costs about $400 a year for a family of four compared to about $250 for partly treated water.

During treatment at the plant, water from Kelly Lake goes through a rigorous screening and removal process that takes out organic materials before chlorine is added. The amount of chlorine that is used has dropped dramatically now that so much of the organics have been removed first, he said.

"That's a big benefit of treatment, that you reduce chlorine."

Local fish plants, which can use up to 800,000 gallons a day during busy times, are supplied with "process" water that meets Health Department guidelines but has been subjected to less treatment and is less expensive.

"That's the beauty of this system," he said. "The fish plants can take as much water as they need to process at the partially treated rate to do business and it doesn't have any effect on customers."

Fortress Louisbourg, which started getting fully treated water a week before residents of the community, is sharing the use of its 200,000-gallon water storage tank and some two kilometres of new water line.

The fortress gets close to 100,000 gallons a day at peak times.

"We worked with them for a week to perfect the system," he said. "They were very co-operative."

Commissioning of the Louisbourg plant had been underway since October.

The regional municipality has a $54-million plan that was developed in 1999 to provide fully treated water to its 75,000 to 80,000 customers.

Consumers in Sydney and Port Morien were already getting fully treated water and the regional municipality has since provided it for customers of its systems in Glace Bay, Birch Grove, Pine Tree Village, Coxheath, Westmount and now Louisbourg.

The Glace Bay water system will likely be used eventually to supply customers in Birch Grove and Port Morien.

New Waterford's $11.2-million treatment plant is at the commissioning stage now and tenders will open May 2 for a $15.8-million Pottle Lake water treatment plant for North Sydney, Penny said.

Regional municipality's active transportation plan takes shape at open house

Section: Cape Breton

By Tom Ayers,
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality's active transportation committee is seeking one more round of public input before drafting a report for council, and now the plans are on display so people can see what is being proposed.

The committee is seeking feedback on the public's priorities by May 1, by filling out a form at the open houses - a second one will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today in the Civic Centre community room - or by visiting the committee's website at www.cbrm-atplan.ca.

CBRM planner Rick McCready said there are three solid reasons why the region needs to put an active transportation plan in place.

"We know that in Cape Breton in particular, our health outcomes are not what they should be and that's because people aren't as active as they should be," he said.

Also, communities across the country are beginning to deal with the effects of global warming and CBRM needs to do so as well, McCready added.

And finally, he noted, "gas prices are going through the roof.

"This has got to be the right time to look at alternatives to the car. If we aren't going to do this now, when are we going to do it?"

McCready said the active transportation committee has identified several options for each community in the municipality, including walking paths and bicycle lanes, and in many cases commuting and recreational exercise can be encouraged with a few minor upgrades to infrastructure.

Outside the communities, the committee has recognized a need for a recreational route that could become an important tourist draw, he added.

And the committee, after hearing from stakeholders and the public, has also identified a series of 10 "signature projects" that could attract broad support from communities and make for larger, significant improvements to active transportation.

They include new walking paths and bicycle lanes, as well as sidewalks and multi-use trails. The committee is even considering a cross-harbour ferry for pedestrians and cyclists connecting downtown Sydney to Westmount.

The signature projects are on a map "that people tend to zero in on because they're big projects," said McCready, "but they're just ideas. Some of them might not even end up in the final plan."

None of the projects have been costed out, he added. Once the committee receives the public's final feedback on which projects should be a priority, a draft plan with rough cost estimates will be prepared for council. Then it will be up to council to endorse the plan and take a leadership role on implementing it, which would likely include seeking funds from other levels of government, McCready said.

"The committee is even considering a cross-harbour ferry for pedestrians and cyclists connecting downtown Sydney to Westmount."
That would be huge, taking quite a few cars off of Keltic Drive (Sydney River Bridge) and consequently King's Rd and Hwy 125. The bigger part of this is what it could lead to down the road, with potential for finally linking the Northside to Sydney again with a ferry of its own as a second route. I think they're both worth the cost myself, incorporate them with Transit Cape Breton and allow bus transfers and parking at the terminals for a "park and ride" situation, and this could be a big benefit not only to easing traffic and cutting emisions, but also to linking the communities across the harbour more effectively than the Sydney River Bridge and Hwy 125 currently do. :tup:

Louisbourg gets more than $744,000 for siege celebrations and facade program

Section: Front

By Chris Hayes, Cape Breton Post
Local residents were applauding Monday as governments announced $744,964 in funding to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the second siege of the Fortress of Louisbourg, and to spruce up businesses in the downtown.

Federal MP Gerald Keddy, speaking to residents in the local fire hall, announced a contribution of $329,964 to help the Louisbourg Merchants Association and the community play a part in celebrations of the historic siege of the fortress and another contribution of $305,000 for a facade improvement program.

MLA Alfie MacLeod added $110,000 from the Nova Scotia government to the funding for the community celebrations.

During the second siege of 1758, a British army attacking with 16,000 troops and supported by 160 ships captured the fortress in seven weeks, according to a modern-day website for the national historic site.

Fortress of Louisbourg marketing officer Mark Sajatovich, who was at the announcement Monday, said the 250th anniversary celebration could attract 20,000 visitors to the fortress over the July 25-27 weekend.

The highlight will be an encampment featuring as many as 1,000 costumed re-enacters playing the parts of British, French and native people of the era.

"Once in a lifetime is a cliché in a lot of cases (but) for this, it's not," he said. "We certainly hope to think it will be one of the largest tourist events in the province."

The community of Louisbourg will use some of its funding to erect an historically themed gate at the entrance to the community that will be constructed of stone from the fortress. It will also install directional and interpretative signs.

Jolene MacIntyre, an event co-ordinator, said the community will also celebrate the anniversary throughout the summer with cultural heritage days, a fishermen's carnival, activities for children, entertainment, fireworks for the opening of the nearby Lighthouse Trail and other activities.

Local businesses can receive up to $20,000 in funds matching their own contribution in the facade program, which is being lead by the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority.

Facade programs boost the economic base of a community, said Cindy Tobin, a community development officer at CBCEDA.

The applications have been available for several months and the deadline is April 30, she said.

Louise Carter, manager of the Grubstake restaurant, said the facade program will be helpful at a time when the tourism industry has been in decline.

"Hopefully, it will bring a breath of fresh air to the restaurant and to the whole downtown as a core, because with the facade program, everything looks more enticing and more appetizing for the people."

Parks workers across the country have been without a contract since August and talks between the employer and employees broke off in February, raising concerns about the possibility of a strike.

Keddy, the parliamentary secretary for ACOA Minister Peter MacKay, said he would be shocked if the labour dispute drags on and has any negative affects on the 250th anniversary celebrations.

Smevo

Apr 23, 2008, 8:42 PM

Cape Breton Post

Bad news, but I can't say I didn't see it coming, despite the evidence found by the professors from MUN.
Supreme Court dismisses CBRM lawsuit Breaking News print this article
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY – The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has lost its legal battle with the province of Nova Scotia.
A Department of Justice spokesperson confirmed late this afternoon that Supreme Court of Nova Scotia Justice John Murphy has dismissed the case. No details of his decision have yet been made available to the media.
The CBRM’s legal challenge dates back to October 2003 when Mayor John Morgan first convinced a corporate services committee and then a bare majority of council a month later to seek the advice of a constitutional law expert on the equalization funding issue.
The CBRM filed its application with the Supreme Court on May 26, 2006. The municipality's application accused the province of Nova Scotia of shortchanging the region by millions of dollars in equalization payments.
Both sides presented their cases before Murphy in November, in Halifax.
Read the full story in Thursday’s Cape Breton Post.

Open house on wind/hydro project postponed until May

Section: Business

Column: Briefly

An open house scheduled for today in Big Pond for a proposed hydro/wind energy project at Lake Uist has been postponed because of the death of a person from the community.

The open house will be rescheduled, likely to early May.

Cape Breton Explorations Ltd. has been holding a number of open houses to provide information on the proposed hydro and wind turbine project, the regulatory process it must follow and environmental studies.

The company, engineers and environmental study team have been available at the open houses.

A little good news to end the day
Med student says prognosis is good for Cape Breton

Instead of smog and bubbling goo, Mitali Banerjee found natural beauty and fresh air in Cape Breton

Section: Front

By Erin Pottie,
When Mitali Banerjee first tried to envision Cape Breton, she pictured a smoggy coastline and black muck bubbling from the ground.

But the 28-year-old medical student from Texas, who is here as part of an international research placement, was pleasantly surprised when she discovered the island's natural beauty and fresh, sea-swept air.

The fourth-year student, who hopes to become a doctor in May, attends the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She picked Cape Breton as her international elective because of its notorious tar ponds, devastating pollution and high cancer rates.

I read an article ... that this was the most polluted area in North America, so I expected to come and see smog clinging to the coast, said Banerjee, who is nearing the end of a four-week placement at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre. By and large the place is quite pristine and clean and I think people are very easygoing and friendly.

I just expected it to be a desolate, weak place but it's been very uplifting to see how warm people are, how friendly people are and how excellent the doctors are.

Banerjee has been working with Dr. Ron MacCormick, an oncologist with the Cape Breton District Health Authority and medical director of the Cape Breton Cancer Centre.

Like MacCormick, Banerjee says the current high cancer statistics don't do justice to the hard work that's been done locally because of the lag time between cancer and its causes. She also expects those cancer rates will soon fall.

Some people make their living out west in other provinces. When they're a little bit older, they come back home to Cape Breton because they feel tied to this place. I just wonder if we're seeing people ... sort of coming home to die, Banerjee said.

Banerjee decide to study medicine after her mother battled breast cancer. Diagnosed in a later stage of the disease, her mother underwent 11 operations and a mastectomy at coast of $11,000 for each procedure.

Banerjee says Cape Bretoners have a lot to be thankful for.

I think the most remarkable thing is what excellent care people in Cape Breton receive. They're getting the latest treatments expensive treatments and somehow the system just absorbs the costs. That really removes a lot of the anxiety.

While the island failed to live up to its unsavoury reputation, Banerjee doesn't regret her placement.

I don't regret it at all. I've learned a lot in terms of medicine and also in terms of the people and the culture and the life here.

Smevo

Apr 27, 2008, 5:54 PM

Cape Breton Post

AG Research expands market reach across the Caribbean

Section: Business

AG Research Inc., a local software development and technical support company that specializes in government and large business applications, has announced a partnership deal with Illuminat of Trinidad.

"This partnership is an exciting opportunity for both companies and we expect rapid growth as a result," said Irving Schwartz, co-owner, AG Research. "We are excited to grow our products and services beyond our current areas of operation in Canada, the United Kingdom and Bermuda - Trinidad and the Caribbean offer great potential."

AG Research is already active in the Caribbean. Together with Illuminat, the company is working on opportunities across the Caribbean to supply computer programs that assist governments with property tax solutions, environmental planning, property and asset management and information and communications.

"I commend AG Research for securing this partnership to increase opportunities for international trade," said Economic Development Minister Angus MacIsaac. "This partnership will allow the company to further pursue important projects in the Caribbean and expand the reach of Nova Scotia's exports."

Fenwick Reid of Illuminat visited Nova Scotia in March to work with AG Research on a strategic plan highlighting a number of opportunities emerging in Trinidad and the eastern Caribbean. Reid also met with provincial ministers and officials, and local businesses, to discuss trade opportunities between Nova Scotia and the Caribbean.

AG Research was founded in Sydney in 1991, and the company now employs about 40 people and has international offices in the United Kingdom and Bermuda.

Kevin McCormack, AG Research vice-president of business development, said most of the company's employees are in Sydney, however a few are also stationed in the Strait area where they provide technical support for the Strait-Richmond School Board. AG Research started out as Atlantic Geomatics, specializing in global positioning systems mapping, said McCormack. It has since expanded its products into data hosting and technical support, as well as a wider range of software applications, often including GPS technology the company developed earlier.

"We often take that technology and put it into other applications for interactivity," he said.

For example, under the partnership deal with Illuminat, it is expected that Caribbean governments will soon use AG Research programs that help map out new land developments and keep track of rent and repairs in government-owned buildings.

Career Expo 2008 a hit with employers and jobseekers

Section: Business

By Doug MacKenzie, Cape Breton Post
It was the ultimate job fair for people who don't want to leave home.

More than 30 local businesses, including Atlantic Superstore, Cape Breton Post, Freedom 55 Financial and Louisbourg Seafoods, gathered at the Sydney Marine Terminal Wednesday for Career Expo 2008, which was organized by the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce.

"A lot of people just aren't aware of the opportunities that exist," said Mike MacSween, executive director of the chamber of commerce. "There are a lot of private employers here today looking for employees and some have had some challenges in connecting with employees, so our goal is to try and connect those employers with prospective employees."

Local employers like Bruce Meloney of Smart Shop Place were pleased to see a strong turnout of candidates and believe events like this are vital to building a strong workforce for the future.

"It's the first time I've been involved in one of these and that's a great sign because there are job opportunities out there," said Meloney. "We know that down the road there is going to be a lot more opportunities coming up and we have to start thinking different because there is going to be less people to fill those jobs and we have to get creative.

"As an employer, I'm going to have to get creative in what jobs I have, what the hours are, what I pay, because it's getting different and it's getting harder to find good employees."

One of the busiest booths at the expo belonged to EDS, which operates a call centre in Sydney.

"We're very pleased with the turnout we've had so far," said Lisa Hardy, a recruiter with EDS. "It's really important (being part of the expo) because we have a number of opportunities that we are currently recruiting for. We want to get the word out there that we are still hiring."

Another busy spot was one which may not spring to most people's minds, but the Canadian Armed Forces booth attracted a lot of attention.

"A lot of people don't realize that the Reserves here in Sydney employ up to 500 to 600 people part time and 70 full-time people in Sydney," said Master Warrant Officer John Eagles, regional recruiter for the Sydney garrison. "The Reserves have a lot to offer the community and we have both full-time and part-time jobs.

"(The expo) gives us a chance to get out to talk to the community and to explain that the Reserves and the regular Forces is a way of life."

The employers weren't the only ones pleased with the expo, as many of the potential employees were pleased to see the options available to them whether they were searching for a summer job or a full-time position.

"It's been good and there are a few things that interest me," said 18-year-old Alyssa Clark. "I've been looking for a summer job, so I thought this would be the best place to start."

"I was surprised there were so many options," added 20-year-old Christina Googoo. "We have a lot of work available here."

With good reports, MacSween hoped to see the expo become a yearly event and said it was important to highlight what the local job market has to offer.

"We're very pleased to be able to provide this type of service and we would like to make this an annual event," said MacSween.

"We see this as showcasing that we're on the move here in Cape Breton. Good things are happening, there are employers in this community hiring people and there are opportunities for young people to stay here at home, or to move home and make a life for themselves."

The rundown of the expo is that there were 1,000 positions available asap from participating employers, including every area ranging from customer service and call centre, to fishing and investment, to scientific fields including engineers and engineering technologists.
I would also like to note that I was very disappointed with the way Jim Nunn handled the interview about this on the CBC news.
I'll be making a post about the updated employment situation/trends in the region after I finish catching up on these updates. :cheers:

CBU offering more than $1M in scholarships

Section: Cape Breton

By Nancy King, Cape Breton Post
For the first time in its history, Cape Breton University has sent out more than $1 million in scholarship offers to potential students.

The university has offered about 100 renewable scholarships - three times the number it was able to offer last spring. The total value of all scholarship offers is $1.15 million.

The reason for the substantial increase is the success of the Future First campaign CBU launched in 2005 to double its endowment, noted Keith Brown, the university's vice-president in charge of development. That campaign actually exceeded its target by almost $1 million, leaving CBU with an endowment of more than $15 million, less than a year after the effort was launched.

"It's been dramatic," Brown said. "You're now seeing us having the ability to take the income from the endowment and turn it straight into new scholarships . . . This is the first time we've been able to have this amount, at this quantity and at this level."

Previously, CBU would offer more one-time entrance awards.

"It wasn't really for the life of your degree," Brown said. "Before the Future First campaign, we were financially unable to make any large number of substantial offers - no matter how good the student was, we just didn't have any depth in our endowment."

That would leave the university unable to make competitive offers to many of the top students from Cape Breton Island, he added. That's now changed, Brown said, noting the new scholarships are of varying amounts, up to chancellor awards valued at $24,000 annually.

"You will have Cape Breton students look at what's the total cost of university for them, if they stay at home or if they don't stay at home, which of course is a big part of the overall cost of university," Brown said.

Because about three-quarters of CBU students come from communities across the island, most of the offers are going to Cape Breton students, although about 10-15 per cent of the offers have gone to other applicants.

"You would expect, perhaps, that about 75 per cent of the offers would go to Cape Bretoners but the number is higher because we are attracting larger portions of students with the highest averages from Cape Breton Island.

The final acceptance decisions from students are coming back this week, with the takeup by students so far being "exceptionally strong," and Brown, noting the students with the strongest academic performance in the Cape Breton high schools are accepting the offers in large numbers.

Improving the scholarship offerings is an important tool in CBU's recruitment and retention strategy at a time when it and all other universities in the province are grappling with the effects of declining school enrolment.

Recently, CBU president John Harker warned faculty and staff will see job cuts over the next couple of years due to a sharp drop in local students and declining provincial funding. Early retirement incentives will also be offered.

"It doesn't remove the fact that there are severe enrolment declines in every school board in Nova Scotia, that's a reality, which also means competition for the smaller numbers of students is getting more competitive," Brown said.

Grand River residents appear reassured about proposed hydro/wind energy project

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes, Cape Breton Post
Local residents appeared to leave an open house in Grand River feeling reassured about a Cape Breton company's plans to develop a hydro/wind turbine energy project.

Fire Chief Stewart MacKay said that was his impression after joining about 40 to 50 people at the open house held by Cape Breton Explorations Ltd. at the local fire hall Tuesday evening.

"There were lots of people there, lots of questions and most of the people I have spoken to came away with a positive feeling on the project," he said Wednesday.

MacKay, who works as a wildlife technician and is a sports fisherman, said many of the questions were about any effects the project could have on the fish habitat of Grand River.

"The government is there to regulate all this stuff," he said. "It is going to be looked after. There is going to be nothing done up there until all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed."

Stewart said he still plans to keep a close eye on the proposed project.

The plan by Cape Breton Explorations Ltd. would feed wind-generated power from 44 wind turbines located near Lake Uist directly into the electrical power grid during the day when demand is high. Then in the off hours at night, the wind turbines would supply power to pump water from Lake Uist through a buried penstock to a reservoir some three kilometres away and more than 100 metres higher.

The pumped water would later flow back down the penstock to drive turbines producing more electricity before dispersing into the lower lake from whence it came.

Concerns have been raised about the affects of the hydro part of the project on the fish habitat of the lakes and river.

Luciano Lisi, the chief financial officer for Cape Breton Exploration Ltd. and founder of the project, said in addition to open houses that have already been held in Loch Lomond and Grand River, sessions will be held at Big Pond and at Eskasoni for First Nations communities.

The company will hold further rounds of open houses returning to update the communities on its research and progress on the project, he said.

Lisi said he has been assuring people the project wouldn't get government approval without satisfying concerns about the environment.

Gail Johnson, who represents the area on Richmond County council, agreed area residents at the open house were positive about the process being followed by the company.

Local residents realize this is a preliminary stage for the project and there will be environmental assessments, she said.

CBRM lawsuit tossed out

Mayor John Morgan says he'll look at an appeal of Nova Scotia Supreme Court decision

Section: Front

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post
A Nova Scotia Supreme Court justice tossed out the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's legal case against the province Wednesday, which accused the provincial government of chronically underfunding the municipality by millions of dollars through a complex equalization formula.

A defiant John Morgan, who led the municipal charge resulting in the hire of a Toronto-based constitutional law firm to examine the issue of inequity in the equalization formula, said he'll look at an appeal of Justice John Murphy's decision.

The CBRM mayor said that'll only happen, however, with council's approval and that's far from a certainty.

"You are dealing with tens of millions of dollars of additional expenses that are going to impact the region if the appeal for fairness, the effort to get compliance with Section 36 (of the Constitution), is abandoned," Morgan told the Cape Breton Post.

"The costs of abandoning the legal action is absolutely monumental and that is a cost that is going to be borne by the taxpayers."

Municipal staff began preparing a notice of appeal only hours after finding out about Murphy's decision. It must be filed with the court within 30 days.

Council cannot afford to sit on its heels and do nothing, said Morgan, adding there is currently no 'Plan B' to cure the CBRM's economic woes.

Both sides in the sometimes acrimonious dispute received notification late Wednesday afternoon of Murphy's written decision. He had heard the case during a one-day hearing on Nov. 28 in Halifax.

While media outlets weren't informed of the decision until today, the Cape Breton Post was first to report the news of the lawsuit dismissal on its website, Wednesday afternoon.

CBRM council voted narrowly in favour of seeking expert advice from constitutional lawyer Neil Finkelstein to examine its options in November 2003. A year later seven new councillors were elected in the municipal elections and then council started to debate whether the lawsuit was the right way to go. Several councillors favoured negotiations with the province instead.

Deputy Mayor Richard Fogarty is one of the councillor who's glad the legal action was dismissed Wednesday.

He doesn't believe the mayor can muster enough support to continue the battle with the province.

"I don't think council is going to back (Morgan) up even if it's an election year. I hope to God they don't," said Fogarty, who noted he would be in favour of face-to-face negotiations with Premier Rodney MacDonald to resolve the equalization issue.

Fogarty estimated the municipality has spent in the area of $600,000 in legal fees since 2004.

Justice Minister Cecil Clarke called the provincial-municipal dispute a "differing of opinion" but said times have changed since 2003 when a lawsuit was first suggested by the CBRM.

"What precipitated this action in the first place, I think times have changed and we're in a different era right now and it's one of optimism and one that speaks to growth," Clarke said.

"There are things that have a direct net benefit to municipal interests such as our efforts to move forward . . . on the Donkin mine, overall government support for advancing the Atlantic Gateway and the Port of Sydney."

However, in its argument before the court, the CBRM used statistics including a working age population that's dropped by 6,000 people from 1995 to 2005. And in that time, the unemployment rate dropped by four per cent however the number of those employed only rose by 1.3 per cent.

The CBRM's financial situation is also more serious as borrowing for the capital budget in March reached $20.2 million, resulting in an overall debt of $105 million.

Following debate on the $121-million operating budget, Morgan argued the only way to tackle the debt is to wait out the results of the lawsuit.

"It is really the only path for the region to survive," he said.

The mayor said looking at the fiscal horizon there are many financial obstacles awaiting a decision by council and he said they can't be ignored.

"Where does the $20 million (capital funding) from the last budget, where does the $40 million for the landfill closure and the $400 million for sewage treatment, where does that funding come from?

"I think if you get to the heart of what my opponents say, it comes out of their pockets and it would be a very dark day, I think, for the region if the municipal council ultimately doesn't continue to pursue the appeal."

I've read through the court decision. The reasons it was thrown out were:
1) the judge found section 36(1) of the constitution to contain non-legally binding language, meaning that the "committment" to fairness was moreso something to strive for rather than a legally binding committment.
2) there was no reasonable outcome sought for by the CBRM. The CBRM was only looking for a declaration of wrongdoing, where a settlement would be later negotiated out of court. This would have left the door wide open for continuing legal action anytime any municipality disagreed with the provincial government over delivery of services.

Through reading it, I got the impression that if the CBRM was seeking the court to impose a settlement, such as the difference between the municipality's entitlement and what had been actually given to it by the province, retroactive to the passing of the equilization legislation, that this may have been allowed to go to trial.
Outside of that, I was surprised that there was no mention of NSPI property tax revenue disparity. I quoted from a report by two PhD carrying MUN professors (with no personal interest in Cape Breton or CBRM) in an earlier post:
the Nova Scotia government collects over $9M in property tax annually from NSPI properties within CBRM, and gives CBRM less than $2M of this tax revenue taken from within CBRM boundaries.
(I paraphrased it this time) I would think legal action on this aspect would be even more binding than a lawsuit seeking real damages based on S.36(1) rather than just a "declaration of wrongdoing".
I support the lawsuit in principal, but I think the only chance CBRM will actually get what is being shortchanged is by seeking a real, court imposed settlement. Despite the province's rhetoric, attempts to negotiate with the province have proven to be a waste of time.

[/rant]

Smevo

Apr 27, 2008, 6:07 PM

Cape Breton Post

Morgan says 'monumental taxation increase' is critics' alternative to equalization case; council slated to discuss possible appeal

Is it tax hike or lawsuit?

Section: Front

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality couldn't convince the Nova Scotia Supreme Court its argument for a larger chunk of the provincial equalization pie belongs in the courts, as presiding Justice John Murphy sided with the province in calling it a claim that's "absolutely unsustainable."

Even though Murphy acknowledged in his 32-page ruling Wednesday that Canadian courts should interpret the Constitution in a "large, liberal and generous rather than legalistic manner, and that courts must be prepared to hear and rule upon novel claims," he continued by saying a novel claim such as the one presented by the CBRM "does not raise a justiciable issue, and a pleading which does not disclose a reasonable cause of action should be struck out."

The municipality has used the legal argument that the provincial government has violated Section 36 of the Constitution, which ensures the complex federal equalization formula is applied fairly to all municipalities and that they receive reasonably comparable levels of public services.

CBRM Mayor John Morgan had hoped a legal victory could lead to a reworking of the equalization formula that has, up to this point, resulted in a loss of approximately $20 million a year to the municipality dating back to municipal amalgamation in 1995, according to CBRM staff.

Cabot Trail will soon be smoother, safer ride

Section: Northside/Victoria

Column: Briefly

Regular users of the Cabot Trail will soon enjoy a smoother, safer drive, according to Keith Bain, MLA for Victoria-The Lakes.

This is year one of a five-year plan that will see 33 kilometres of the Cabot Trail upgraded and widened from the foot of Cape Smokey to where Trunk 19 and Route 312 intersect.

"This road has been a concern to local residents and the tourism industry for some time," Bain said. "I am very pleased to see this commitment to the people of northern Victoria County and to the Cape Breton tourist industry.

"This is the first component of more infrastructure investment in Victoria County by the (Rodney) MacDonald government. The effect on the ability for residents and tourists to travel safely on this road together is key," Bain said.

33 km in 5 years? How long did it take you to repave the roads in southern Inverness county, Rodney? :rolleyes:

Smevo

Apr 27, 2008, 6:57 PM

Cape Breton Post

Dismissal of CBRM lawsuit no surprise to local business spokesperson

Section: Business

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post
The dismissal of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's lawsuit against the provincial government Wednesday didn't come as a surprise to the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce, says its executive director.

Mike MacSween said Friday municipal politicians and business leaders need to focus on investment and development, not legal action.

"Recognizing, I suppose, that the lawsuit is perhaps part of the mayor's plans for the growth of this community, we really feel that what needs to be looked at is ways to develop business in this community that's going to grow our property tax base and that is, in fact, one of the keys to solving the municipality's financial situation," MacSween said.

In his written decision, Supreme Court justice John Murphy threw the legal action out of court based partly on the province's assessment that the CBRM is trying to address public policy in the courts.

Murphy said declaring a breach of Section 36 of the Constitution, where the CBRM argued that all municipalities must receive reasonably comparable levels of public services through the complex federal equalization formula, could leave the door open to future legal actions against the province based on unpopular decisions set out by government.

"Declaring a breach, without addressing remedy, could be inconclusive, and might result in continuing court involvement in allocation of funds for municipal equalization and economic development," he wrote.

Council will meet with its legal representatives on May 23 to discuss a potential appeal of the court's decision. An appeal can only be launched with the approval of council.

So far, since the legal action began in December 2003 it has cost taxpayers nearly $290,000, CBRM chief administrative officer Jerry Ryan stated Friday. Earlier this week some councillors had estimated the cost at about $600,000.

Businesses in the CBRM reacted negatively toward the legal action when it was first launched and now that it's been tossed out of court, Cape Breton Partnership chair Bert Lewis said this presents an opportunity for the business community to work with municipal officials on an economic strategy.

"Whether it be business interests or community interests, they have a stake in this and I would hope that there would be a wide consultation and an offer to accept representation from all of those groups that have a vested interest before moving ahead with whatever the next step would be," Lewis said.

MacSween said the CBRM can't depend on government money alone to lift itself out of a debt that's now climbed to $105 million.

"You know what, maybe we are entitled to some more (government) dollars, but we can't build our future on that entirely."

"Declaring a breach, without addressing remedy, could be inconclusive, and might result in continuing court involvement in allocation of funds for municipal equalization and economic development,"
- Like I said, we need to be seeking a real settlement, not just a declaration.

"MacSween said the CBRM can't depend on government money alone to lift itself out of a debt that's now climbed to $105 million."
- The CBRM was claiming a dicrepancy between entitlement and actual funding since 1985. If we won a retroactive decision to 1985, of what Morgan is saying amounts to $20M/yr, that would be $460M, enough to wipe out our debt, cap the landfill, and build a good chunk of the wastewater treatment infrastructure that's being legislated from the federal government. While the real figure is probably different from $460M, it would most likely, if true, be enough to wipe out the municipality's debt of $105M completely, with enough left for some infrastructure upgrades.

"You know what, maybe we are entitled to some more (government) dollars, but we can't build our future on that entirely."
- This statement I agree with. We can't build our future dependent on the lawsuit, and need to be doing things now, but that doesn't mean we should drop the lawsuit altogether.

"So far, since the legal action began in December 2003 it has cost taxpayers nearly $290,000, CBRM chief administrative officer Jerry Ryan stated Friday."
- In other words, it's cost each person in CBRM a whopping $0.65/year to pursue this lawsuit. That's $2.75 for each person in the CBRM over the course of the lawsuit. We could've dropped it and bought a coffee at the Bean Bank! (A local coffee shop on Charlotte St for those not from the area, it's like Second Cup or Starbucks...only better). :tup:

Earlier this week some councillors had estimated the cost at about $600,000.
- These would be the councillors who don't agree with the lawsuit and are planning to use it in their upcoming election campaigns. :rolleyes:

[/editorial rant]

CBRM down at first hurdle

Section: Business

Regional councillors polled Thursday by the Cape Breton Post were mostly non-committal on whether they'd support Mayor John Morgan's call to carry on the constitutional case against the Nova Scotia government for a better financial deal. The controversial challenge, in process for more than four years and in court hands for nearly two, fell at the first hurdle this week when Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice John D. Murphy ruled the Cape Breton Regional Municipality has no case.

The wariness among councillors is understandable six months before municipal elections in which the mayoral race may again come down to a virtual referendum on Morgan's legal-based strategy for dealing with the province. In 2004 he won 80 per cent of the vote: will voters abandon him and his project now because of the court result? Councillors aren't sure of the answer either.

The ruling is a serious blow, however. As Morgan notes, CBRM did win some points, but it lost its key argument that Section 36 of the Constitution is amenable to adjudication by a court in these circumstances. "No justiciable constitutional issue is raised," Murphy found, "and CBRM's pleadings do not disclose a reasonable cause of action." Section 36, among other things, enshrines the principle of federal equalization and speaks of "furthering economic development to reduce disparity in opportunities." CBRM was asking for a declaration that the province is failing to meet its commitments under this section.

In deciding to strike down the proceeding at this preliminary stage the judge had to be satisfied that there would be, in the words of a cited decision, "no chance" of CBRM's case succeeding if allowed to go forward. The province, Murphy found, had "established that it is plain and obvious the claim is absolutely unsustainable." The strong wording echoes case law, as it must in anticipation of appeal, but nevertheless the judge did write those words and councillors will have to consider his opinion very seriously as an admonition not to proceed further.

In a CBC radio interview Thursday, the mayor, a lawyer, came close to impugning the independence and integrity of Nova Scotia's judiciary by commenting that most judges get where they are because of political ties. Morgan said CBRM saw this as a challenge from the outset and would get away from that only when "we move to justices outside of Nova Scotia" who are not "part of the political structures that are endemic" to this province. This idea that CBRM's chances will improve as it climbs the judicial ladder ("outside of Nova Scotia" must mean the Supreme Court of Canada) may be dismissed as wishful thinking on Morgan's part, except that the pattern is not unknown in cases where new legal ground is eventually broken.

Recall that Donald Marshall's conviction at trial for illegal eel fishing was upheld on appeal in this province only to be overturned in a landmark ruling by the country's high court in 1999, establishing the treaty basis for the creation of commercial Mi'kmaq fisheries. An ultimate CBRM victory could set even bigger precedent, though that outcome is looking a lot less plausible.

Aside from the legal merits of the case, however, there is the politics. For generations, Cape Breton politicians have fed on the politics of grievance, exploiting and stoking perceptions that the region was being short-changed and neglected by powers-that-be on the mainland, based in Halifax. It never really mattered how true this was so long as it was believed. Morgan took command of this agenda by putting forth what the public, so far at least, seems to have accepted as a concrete plan of action, Quixotic though it may be, to right historic wrongs.

Now every other politician in the region is confronted by his challenge: So if the legal strategy is the wrong one, what's yours? Playing down the gravity of CBRM's financial difficulties or the region's social and economic needs is an untenable answer politically against both the perception of grievance and the reality of serious problems. The only alternative offered is along the lines of "Let's negotiate with the province" - except no one has managed to make that sound convincing. It doesn't help in this regard that Premier Rodney MacDonald, even in his reaction this week to the Murphy decision, maintains that the provincial government is "fair to all parts of the province, including Cape Breton, the CBRM." Justice Minister Cecil Clarke (Cape Breton North) suggests the region is in better shape, more optimistic, than it was when the legal strategy was hatched four years ago. What is there to negotiate when in the province's view there is nothing to fix? Provincial politicians may believe this, may even be right, but it leaves no foothold for anyone in the region trying to articulate an alternative to Morgan's approach.

Regardless of what happens with the legal case, the challenge remains open for any credible leader to come forward on the municipal scene with a substantive, elaborated idea for how else to move forward.

"It doesn't help in this regard that Premier Rodney MacDonald, even in his reaction this week to the Murphy decision, maintains that the provincial government is 'fair to all parts of the province, including Cape Breton, the CBRM.'"
- The list of spending/capita found in the report by the PhD's from MUN
Bridgewater - $3,035
Kentville - $3,286
New Glasgow - $2,226
Port Hawkesbury - $2,885
Truro - $2,779
CBRM - $1,937
HRM - $3,091
Average - $2,466
See it yourself here! (http://www.cbrm.ns.ca/portal/civic/council/studies_reports/PDF/Equalization_NSPowerTax.pdf)(pg 10)
As long as "all parts of the province" means "within an hour of Halifax plus Southern Inverness County", Rodney's telling the truth. :rolleyes:
Also keep in mind that to reach the $1,937/capita spending, our residential tax rate is 11% above the provincial average, and our commercial tax rate is 21% above the provincial average. (pg 11)
Even the $7M+/year we should be getting from NSPI property taxes would bring us up to $2,003/capita.(pg 12 has the NSPI situation)

More info in links in post#197 in this thread!

New addition made to ferry service

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Julie Collins,
Marine Atlantic is expected to take delivery of a new fast ferry for the service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia by late fall.

Federal officials made the announcement Friday at the terminal in Port aux Basques, N.L.

Ottawa will contribute $101 million to the purchase over the next five years. It could take a few months to finalize some minor details of the charter.

The vessel is one of the largest vessels ever to enter Port aux Basques and is being fitted with high-powered bow and stern thrusters to manoeuvre inside the harbour in very high winds.

The ship (to be named by a contest which will be open to all schools in Newfoundland & Labrador and Cape Breton) should arrive in approximately six months.

"Our chairman Rob Crosbie and board appreciate federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn and Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Lawrence Cannon for their dedication to the cause," said board member Walter Pelley.

Also on hand for the announcement was Cape Breton Regional Municipality Deputy Mayor Richard Fogerty and Port aux Basques Mayor Brian Button.

"The announcement is truly a blessing and reaffirms the commitment that the federal government has to providing the constitutionally guaranteed economic lifeline to the island of Newfoundland and Labrador," said Pelley. "It ensures we have a quality ferry service."

Pelley added that the new ferry should ensure the capacity required to meet the total traffic demand and meet customer service expectations of on-time departure and arrival.

In comparison to the MV Caribou with a capacity of 350 cars, the new ferry has in excess of 50 per cent more vehicle capacity than the Caribou or the MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood. It is capable of carrying approximately 551 cars or a mix of cars and commercial vehicles. There are 196 passenger cabins, compared to 50 on the Caribou.

The vessel also features a dedicated truckers lounge, restaurants, gift shops and a children's playground.

Smevo

Apr 27, 2008, 7:47 PM

I already posted a CB Post story earlier that mentioned the progress we made since 2001, but here's a longer period and I've included real numbers for growth/loss of the labour force, employed, and unemployed characteristics.

The only reason I include HRM is because Cape Bretoners (and most Nova Scotians) have an irresistable massochistic urge to compare their region with Halifax, so I do it for the lurkers rather than to prove any kind of point.

**The population figures for 2006 were not given by statscan, so they were calculated by myself using info from the 2006 community profiles, giving numbers that differ slightly from the actual numbers. This affects all three "regions" being compared! All other numbers directly from statscan tables.

Red numbers in the tables are movement in a direction negative to economic growth (though in the case of NS and HRM, the movement is marginal, and therefore negligible).

CBRM
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/96232766.jpg
Between 2001-2006, CBRM:
grew its labour force by 2,070 people (4.64%)
grew its employed labour force by 3,295 people (9.20%)
shrunk its unemployed labour force by 1,225 people (-13.98%)
was the first intercensal period (since 1991) to have all economic indicators move in a positive direction!
Population growth is not comparable to other intercensal periods due to differing sources!
(Anybody who claims this isn't a turnaround...is an idiot).

NS
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/96232769.jpg
Between 2001-2006:
Labour force growth of 5.48%
Employed persons growth of 7.53%
Unemployed persons dropped by 11.32%
Population growth is not comparable to other intercensal periods due to differing sources!

HRM
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/96232772.jpg
Between 2001-2006:
Labour force growth of 8.31%
Employed persons growth of 9.36%
Unemployed persons dropped by 5.14%
Population growth is not comparable to other intercensal periods due to differing sources!

And it's continuing to improve...
Labour force characteristics for the Economic Regions, March 2008 compared to March 2007 (unadjusted).
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/96232774.jpg

In the past year, Cape Breton Economic Region (the entire island) experienced:
Labour force growth of 1,700 (2.72%)
Employed persons growth of 2,200 (4.21%)
Unemployed persons decline of 500 (-4.95%)

Outpaced NS and HRM for Labour Force growth in total growth, percentage growth, and participation rate growth.
Outpaced NS and HRM for Employed persons growth in total growth, percentage growth, and employment rate growth.
Outpaced NS and HRM for Unemployed persons decline in total decline, percentage decline, and unemployment rate decline.

These numbers are not comparable to the Census numbers because they are unadjusted and are for the Economic Regions rather than the CA/CMA.

Again, this is not to prove anything negative happening elsewhere, only to prove the positive happening here.

We've got a long way to go, but we're moving in the right direction.

"Turnaround" - a movement in a direction opposite that which occured previously.

Looks like we satisfy that criteria pretty well. :cheers:

Smevo

Apr 28, 2008, 4:58 AM

Here's a video of the Vogue demolition (actually happened April 4th).

Because this was recorded by a strong supporter of trying to save the Vogue, you get the predictable shots of the modified "Shame On Us" marquee.
FtrxWihNyI0
JennB1981 (http://www.youtube.com/user/JennB1981)

And a bonus one of Marc-Andre Fleury's jersey retirement at an Eagle's home game (C200), January 25, 2008
7MCC2skV7-M
jonpatterson (http://www.youtube.com/user/jonpatterson)

Smevo

Apr 29, 2008, 2:48 AM

Cape Breton Post

Slow news day today

Revised multicultural council promising to be heavily involved in community

Section: Our community

By Doug MacKenzie,
The Multicultural Council of Cape Breton is back up and running after a few years absence.

"There used to be a council here, but for about the last three or four years, it has, basically, been done," said president John Danch. "We're brand new and hopefully we'll keep growing. There are about a dozen involved right now and they are very dedicated people.

The majority of the people involved to date come from the Whitney Pier area of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, with people from a variety of cultures such as Polish and Ukrainian.

"To me it's exciting because you're getting a very core of people and there are a lot of others," said Danch. "There are a lot of people who are heavily involved in volunteering and in the community (in Whitney Pier)."

While the group is still relatively new, Danch said they are already looking at a few different ideas on how to become involved in the community, such as a festival and a quarterly newsletter.

Danch hopes a festival would be held later this year and said one of the ideas which had come up at their meetings was to spread the festival to a variety of sites, rather then having it staged in one place.

"We could have the Ukrainian group in their place and so forth and then people could circulate," said Danch. "You could have guided tours in the Ukrainian church and the significance of it and its history. You could be doing this with all the different cultures and organizations. I think in a lot of ways it would be better for the people. More incentive to go out."

The newsletter remains a work in progress at this point in time as the group looks at possible prototypes. Danch said they were partnering with the Whitney Pier Society of the Arts on the newsletter and they hope to have it going within a couple of months.

"It will help let people know we're out there," said Danch. "We're looking at each issue featuring a specific group, but a newsletter can be a lot of things. If you focus on different aspects of a certain culture, there are things you can get into further, interesting little bits and pieces."

The Multicultural Council of Cape Breton meets on the first Thursday of every month at the Cape Breton Business College in Whitney Pier and Danch said "anybody and everybody" is invited to come out and be part of the group.

Since it's a slow news day, I'll edit in some MLS sales stuff. Unfortunately, the only month I can compare year-over-year with for CBRM is January because of an article I posted on pg 2 (post #23).

Month...................Residential Units...................MLS Average Residential Price
Sep 07......................84..........................................$94,873
Oct 07......................86..........................................$94,776
Nov 07......................78..........................................$98,616
Dec 07......................44.........................................$103,866
Jan 08.......................37.........................................$114,314
Feb 08......................60..........................................$92,298
Mar 08......................45..........................................$84,208

January 08 compares to previous years this way:
- 12% decline in number of units from Jan 2007 (42 units). Units sold provincially declined 11%. Halifax-Dartmouth sales declined 7% in value, with no info easily availabe (for me) on how number of units compared.
- 76% more units sold than Jan 2006 (21 units)
- Average residential price increased ~28% over Jan 2007 ($114,000 vs $89,000 Jan 07). Average residential price was up 8% provincially, and up 11% in Halifax-Dartmouth.

All my info came from NSAR website (http://www.nsar-mls.ca/content.php?id=media), with # of units being estimated by myself using Residential MLS/Average MLS Price.

Won't have any other year-over-year comparisons until the September sales come out, unless another article is run in the CB Post before then. Until then, I'll just have to post housing starts and absorption rates.

Smevo

Apr 30, 2008, 12:24 AM

Cape Breton Post

Council will debate possible plebiscite on court appeal

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Shannon,
When council sits down to discuss its failed legal action against the province in late May, councillors won't only be debating on whether it should be appealed or not, but also the prospect of having residents in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality decide its fate in a plebiscite.

Following the Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruling last week that called the CBRM's legal action "absolutely unsustainable," in which the municipality argued for a reworking of the federal equalization formula, Coun. Vince Hall suggested voters should have a direct say in pursuing any further action.

He said it would be possible to hold a plebiscite in conjunction with the municipal election Oct. 18.

A notice of appeal, which must be filed within 30 days of the decision, is in the works by municipal staff. A special meeting of council to discuss a potential appeal has been scheduled for May 23 with constitutional lawyer Neil Finkelstein.

Other councillors are jumping on board the idea of holding a plebiscite and Mayor John Morgan is also in favour of a CBRM-wide vote.

"It wasn't a surprise on what was ruled from the courts," said Coun. Jim MacLeod. "I would like to see it go to the federal courts, to the Supreme Court of Canada, and let the people of the CBRM have the opportunity to say yes or no."

Coun. Lee McNeil has been gauging the reaction of constituents in her district since the court ruling came down last Tuesday. From those who've e-mailed and called McNeil, she believes residents in her area are split down the middle on whether the legal action should continue.

"This is a big decision and the people should be making this big decision," she said.

Cape Breton University political scientist Tom Urbaniak said a plebiscite would open up dialogue and a greater understanding of the issue, but it also lends itself to the danger of a "us versus them" mentality.

"The issue is, in fact, much more complex and nuanced," Urbaniak said. "The CBRM is not actually suing for a specific sum of money. The CBRM is, in effect, asking the courts to order negotiations between the CBRM and the province."

But some feel an appeal of the court's decision doesn't seem likely and Deputy Mayor Richard Fogarty is one of them.

Fogarty said municipal staff must find Justice John Murphy erred in law when he made his ruling, and he doesn't believe they'll be able to do that. He has already stated he's against an appeal of the decision.

"The question is: how can it go ahead? And that's what (Morgan) is not telling the people. He should know this better than anybody because he's a lawyer," he said emphatically. "So until they go through the (decision) with a fine-tooth comb and try to find out whether the judge made a mistake in law, what is the sense of us going through a plebiscite, or even entertain an appeal, because we're going to lose again."

No surprise in Fogarty's comments, especially with the election coming up.

Commentary from a Northsider on the lawsuit/economic plan situation.
Developing economic plan need not preclude legal action

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

Saturday's paper contained two articles relating to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's legal case against the provincial government that I found quite interesting. Comments in the editorial, CBRM Down at the First Hurdle, about the case made very good sense.

Among other things, it seemed to imply that If our premier, Rodney MacDonald, insists we are being treated fairly now, and Cape Breton cabinet minister Cecil Clarke suggests conditions have improved lately, what sense or hope is there to negotiate, as some councillors are suggesting?

Without the legal case, we'll never have a definitive answer, and we are left only with the status quo. That doesn't seem acceptable.

The comments of Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Mike MacSween and Cape Breton Partnership chair Bert Lewis seem puzzling and misleading (Dismissal of CBRM Lawsuit No Surprise to Local Business Spokesperson, April 26).

Although they suggest pursuing another avenue to relieve our financial problems, they seem to imply that investment and developing an economic strategy could not go ahead along with the lawsuit.

Surely it is not the amount of money the legal case is requiring that's frustrating the implementation of an economic strategy.

There may be a manpower shortage, but why can't the development of an economic plan and the lawsuit go on simultaneously?

Why does one preclude the other?

Nobody is saying that winning the lawsuit would alone solve our financial problems but if we are deserving of more equalization money - MacSween concludes his comments by admitting we might be - we should pursue it.

Leo Doyle

North Sydney

CBU officials should learn fate of BEd program this week

Section: Front

By Nancy King,
Cape Breton University officials will know the fate of its plans to offer its own bachelor of education program by the end of the week.

Education Department spokesperson Dan Harrison confirmed Monday that Minister Karen Casey will make public her decisions regarding the future of teacher education in the province in the latter part of the week, although it's not yet clear what day that may happen.

"She had talked it over with her cabinet colleagues last week and she's going to have some further discussions with university presidents and then is expected to make a public announcement at the end of the week," Harrison said.

In January, a three-person panel released teacher review recommendations for Nova Scotia. Among the recommendations were two which would directly affect CBU - the panel not only recommended that CBU's proposal to deliver its own program not be approved, but also that the minister request CBU discontinue its current BEd program delivery arrangement with Memorial University of Newfoundland.

In February, CBU president John Harker said what the review panel failed to notice was how the current program at CBU was already fulfilling many of their other recommendations. For example, he noted the program is delivered in 16 months rather than the traditional 24-month approach.

Since 2003, nearly 200 students have been admitted into a 16-month program provided by CBU, which offers 40 seats.

The current program offers instruction at the intermediate and secondary levels; if CBU gains its own program, the university would look at offering an elementary program and a stream for aboriginal students.

CBU is sending approximately $400,000 a year in tuition fees to Memorial.

In the reader comments to this, there's more than a few very stupid, for lack of a better word, comments from readers supposedly from Antigonish, including one that claims "if you want to go to a real university, come to the mainland." This is most likely jealousy given the history of CBU and St. F. X.

In brief, Xavier College in Sydney was a satellite campus of St. F. X. It then broke away, despite a lot of whining and crying from St. F. X., and became University College of Cape Breton (UCCB), which is now Cape Breton University (CBU). As the president stated, the CBU BEd program already uses the recommendations of the panel. This also probably annoys St. F. X. as they'd be the closest university to offer the program if the proposal was denied. Anyway, if you've seen the comments, that's the history behind them.

Baddeck development
Construction budget approved for Alderwood replacement

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Julie Collins,
Alderwood Rest Home is one of the first replacement homes to have its capital budget of $17 million for construction approved by the provincial Department of Health.

"Right now we are working on finalizing the location of the building on the property. From there we go to purchase of the property, hopefully within 10 days," said Alderwood administrator Arlene Morrison. "We are still here for a good two years, but this home will go on the market within the week."

The deadline for expressions of interest for the prequalification of civil contractors, general contractors and an on-site construction quality adviser is May 15.

Tender will go our for two contracts for construction of the new facility.

The site preparation contract, which will include clearing and grubbing, the extension of water and sewer services, construction of a new road, soil and erosion control and the construction of a building pad for turnover to the general contractor for building construction, will be tendered shortly and interested civil contractors must contact MHPM Project Managers out of Halifax.

The building contract will be tendered to follow the completion of the site preparation contract. General contractors interested in the construction of the new rest home must contact MHPM project managers. General contractors must pre-qualify in order to bid on the project.

The building contract will include all work necessary to construct a 65,000 square foot health-care facility on the prepared pad. The new nursing home facilities are expected to be ready for occupancy in March 2010.

"We are hoping to have a community meeting by the end of June," Morrison said. "The aim is to have the road started this summer."

The new nursing home facility will be situated on Shore Road (just past the Silver Dart Lodge) with a view of Baddeck harbour.

Alderwood Rest Home opened in 1971. It has 70 beds and approximately 120 staff. A building assessment was conducted in 2002 to determine the life cycle of the present building and at that time it was recommended the building be replaced.

The new home, which will be one storey, is about triple the size of the present rest home and will house 70 residents.

The building will have more common space, more private rooms and improved recreational facilities.

"The whole design focus is on resident-centred care. We have great staff and the care level is high. The new facility and equipment will complement that care."

Smevo

May 1, 2008, 11:35 AM

Cape Breton Post

Unama'ki construction companies praised for work on cooling pond project

Section: Business

Representatives of three Unama'ki construction companies from Cape Breton are in Vancouver this week to participate in the National Federal Contaminated Sites Workshop.

One of the Cape Breton representatives is Mona Morris of Morris Construction, one of the aboriginal construction companies working on the $400-million Sydney tar ponds cleanup project.

Morris is profiled in promotional material for the Cape Breton aboriginal construction companies.

The Unama'ki construction companies are bursting with pride over the success they have had in undertaking a multimillion-dollar environmental remediation project at the Sydney tar ponds cleanup site and they have their sights set on millions of dollars in future contracts.

"This experience has also allowed these Cape Breton aboriginal construction companies to build capacity and expertise and has positioned them to play a significant role in future contracts and other major construction projects in Nova Scotia," said Dan Christmas, chair of the Unama'ki Economic Benefits Steering Committee and senior adviser to chief and council in Membertou First Nation.

"The cooling pond project is a clear success. Without question, this is largely attributable to the aboriginal contractors working on the project," said Frank Potter, president, Sydney Tar Ponds Agency.

The three aboriginal construction companies that won the tender to work on the cooling pond are Norman Morris Joint Venture of Eskasoni, MB2 Excavating and Construction of Membertou, and Membertou - HAZCO Remediation Group.

Representatives of the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency are also attending the National Federal Contaminated Sites Workshop.

Community fears school construction will be delayed

Section: Glace Bay/New Waterford

By Erin Pottie,

Community members are fearing yet another delay in the construction of a new junior high school.

Earlier this week the deputy education minister suggested delays are likely for the Glace Bay junior high school which has endured multiple sidetracks since its construction was announced in 2003.

The building was slated for completion in 2007, and again in 2009, however financial restrictions and failure to find an appropriate location have delayed the school opening to 2010.

"What we're doing is we're examining the sites and we're still expecting some reports (in) mid-May," said Department of Education spokesperson Dan Harrison. "If we can get a site selected and move fairly rapidly after that point, the current schedule should be - it'll be tight, but the current schedule could hold or at least be completed by December of that year."

About 20 sites have been tested, though there have been many subsidence and undermining problems. Two locations being considered for the school are on the Donkin Highway and Wallace's Road. Harrison said geotechnical and engineering reports are taking longer than expected. He also said the budget will set-aside $1.1 million for the project this year.

"This government is committed to build the school once we have a safe site," said Education Minister Karen Casey after the announcement of the provincial budget, Tuesday.

Glace Bay MLA Dave Wilson suggested to the minister, that her department keep Deputy Minister Dennis Cochrane's "hands off money," fearing funds allocated to the Liberal-held district school could get reshuffled for other projects.

Rodney MacDonald's Conservative government came under fire from Opposition MLAs about the fairness of school construction projects after the government announced a new school for Tory cabinet minister Bill Dooks' Porters Lake area. The Halifax Regional School Board had only requested a renovation.

"I'm so used to delays now, nothing surprises me - at some point, in my opinion, it's got to be political will," said Myrtle Turnbull-Campbell of Glace Bay and a member of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board. "Board members haven't been informed of anything and once we get something firm we have to meet as a board and go to our next step; and I'm not even sure what that is."

Construction of a Glace Bay junior high has been a top priority of the board for five years. Turnbull-Campbell said she expects the warning of a delay means there will be one.

"Where there's smoke there's fire," she said.

"Rodney MacDonald's Conservative government came under fire from Opposition MLAs about the fairness of school construction projects after the government announced a new school for Tory cabinet minister Bill Dooks' Porters Lake area. The Halifax Regional School Board had only requested a renovation."

All I'm going to say here...typical. :rolleyes:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentaries
Kaz is at it again. He wants his $2.75 back. :rolleyes:
Council must stop marching to the Pied Piper

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

It was no surprise to me to read that the legal action put forward by Mayor John Morgan and council was tossed out of court. The mayor, who organized this stupid court action, has seen not only the case tossed out but also close to $290,000 of taxpayers' money.

It was bad enough to hear this mayor on CBC Radio Thursday morning talk about how he hoped to appeal and how he would fight to his last breath for the region, but then on the same show residents who called in supported Morgan to go on, calling him a wonderful leader. One stated he was the best ever in the mayor's chair.

I must hand it to him for doing a wonderful job of brainwashing these people and his councillors. How could you call someone a wonderful leader who has led us into a $105 million debt? How can people call him a wonderful leader for not having discussions with either council or provincial politicians to solve our problems?

If someone in council does not put a stop to the mayor's antics, then we must as taxpayers demand a complete audit and investigation by the provincial government. The time for sitting back and watching this foolishness is over.

Councillors are elected to represent the residents of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, not to follow a Pied Piper.

Kaz Siepierski

Whitney Pier

I certainly wouldn't call Morgan the best mayor, I'm hesitant to even call him a good mayor, but I do support him in the lawsuit and, considering the low cost associated, feel it was/is worth it to pursue.

Finally someone with some sense
It's very sad to see case tripped up without ever getting to substance of the issues

Section: Comment

Column: David Johnson

By David Johnson,

The mayor and council are facing one of the most important decisions in the short history of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Last Wednesday, Mr. Justice John D. Murphy of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia rendered his judgment in CBRM's constitutional litigation against the Government of Nova Scotia. CBRM was arguing that the province was in breach of Section 36 of the Constitution Act for failing to provide an appropriate level of equalization funding to CBRM to ensure that residents, in comparison to other citizens in Nova Scotia, had comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.

In a closely reasoned decision, Justice Murphy dismissed CBRM's pleading as failing to raise a reasonable cause of action. "I have concluded," wrote the judge, "that CBRM's proceeding does not raise a justiciable issue - the questions the municipality seeks to have determined in the context of complaints advanced respecting municipal equalization and economic development do not have a sufficient legal component to warrant court intervention. If the court were to adjudicate the dispute, it would exceed its proper role within Canada's constitutional framework ... and engage in political and economic considerations which are not appropriate for judicial determination."

As I read this 30-page decision (and I encourage everyone to read the decision, available on the CBRM website), I have conflicting thoughts. I have long supported the principle of CBRM bringing a legal challenge against the provincial government over the flawed manner by which federal equalization funds are distributed across this province. The substantive merits of this case are very sound; there is a great weight of evidence that Cape Breton is financially disadvantaged in this province and that the provincial government has not been taking effective equalization measures to ensure that people in Cape Breton have comparable levels of public services at reasonably comparable levels of taxation.

What makes me very sad, however, is that Justice Murphy was moved to dismiss this case without needing to address the substantive issues. CBRM lost this case not on its substantive merits but due to technical and procedural flaws in its arguments placed before the court. But these technical and procedural flaws, as perceived by the judge, were fatal to the life of the case, and they pose huge hurdles to overcome if council moves to appeal.

Now, I am not a lawyer; the following analysis is that of a political scientist and not a legal specialist, and I very much urge Mayor John Morgan and council to attain a wide variety of expert legal advice on this judgment before deciding whether to appeal.

Three key issues rise to the fore in Justice Murphy's findings. One is the justiciability of Section 36 - whether the provisions dealing with equalization actually provide legal commitments enforceable before the courts. Here, Justice Murphy sides with existing jurisprudence that these commitments are not justiciable but are rather akin more to statements of political principles than legal rights and obligations.

The Supreme Court of Canada, however, has never ruled on this, so we still lack the guidance of the highest court of constitutional interpretation.

The second weakness, as identified by Justice Murphy, is that while CBRM pleads that provincial policies and actions on the management of equalization are unconstitutional, the municipality does not challenge the constitutionality of the Municipal Grants Act, the legislative and administrative mechanism by which provincial equalization is distributed within Nova Scotia.

By failing to impugn the Municipal Grants Act, CBRM is accepting its constitutionality, including the mechanisms and formulas by which equalization is distributed by the province. As such, there is a logical inconsistency at the heart of CBRM's case. Had CBRM challenged the constitutionality of this act and its mechanisms and formulas, this challenge might have provided sufficient weight and detail to the case to persuade a judge that the provisions in Section 36 were violated by the act, giving a court a valid reason for holding Section 36 to be justiciable in such a case. But it is too late to make this argument now; a party cannot rewrite its pleadings on appeal.

The third problem with CBRM's case was that while it argued that the province was violating constitutional provisions on equalization, CBRM did not ask for a clear legal remedy. CBRM asked simply for a declaration of a breach of the Constitution, with the parties then being required to engage in negotiations to address the breach. But, as the judge argued, if he did grant such a declaration, there would be no guarantee that negotiations would result in a successful resolution of the matter, and the courts might be embroiled in further challenges as to whether future negotiations and their failures constituted further breaches of Section 36.

Rather, Justice Murphy stressed that the role of the courts "is to provide final determination of legal issues, without intervening in public policy." As such, CBRM should have asked for an explicit remedy that a court could have ordered to fix the constitutional problem it was facing. By not asking for such a clear fix, the CBRM pleading did not provide the court with a sufficient legal framework to render a legal decision.

Now, all three of these flaws with the case are major problems, and they proved fatal before Justice Murphy. Could they be overcome on appeal? That is the key question before the mayor and council, and it is this question that requires them to get expert legal opinion from a wide variety of sources.

I have long supported the principles behind this case but the practical implementation of this legal challenge has left much to be desired. And while I am all in favour of fighting for Cape Breton, remember Napoleon's advice: "Never fight a battle you know you cannot win."

David Johnson, PhD, is associate professor in the Department of Political Science, Cape Breton University.

Smevo

May 1, 2008, 12:11 PM

Cape Breton Post

Two more differing opinions on the lawsuit.

CBRM's legal case costing money, not recovering it

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

I've never been so disappointed or angry with a politician as I am with Mayor John Morgan. After reading Chris Shannon's article, Is it Tax Hike or Lawsuit? (April 25), you should be too.

When this tempest in a teapot over filing a legal action against the province began, I figured that it would fizzle rather quickly, given how ridiculous the idea seemed. But it didn't go away and now that a court has thrown the case out and I'm left to wonder are we any better off for it.

What have we gotten for five years of this? Was there really nothing else our mayor could have been spending his time and our money on?

Ladies and gentlemen, I propose that the problem is not that the province hasn't been giving the region enough money; it's that our municipal government hasn't been spending that money with our communities' best interests in mind.

This legal case has served only one purpose - to give the mayor an axe to grind. He's been able to play the role of advocate, sticking up for the maligned residents of our fair communities, and this is what we really like about him.

It's in our blood. From the coal mines to the steel mill, the island's history lies in exploitation and resistance. We fought tooth and nail with big companies for our right to a better life and we've been brought up to respect the advocates who helped us do that. These were the men and women who stood up to say we deserve better and we're going to get it, but Morgan is no such advocate.

Don't be fooled: this case is not a solution to the problems facing our communities. In my opinion it's a dereliction of duty to, and a distraction from, the real issues like employment, out-migration and municipal infrastructure.

In the fall there will be another election and if Morgan decides to run again I beg you to ask him some tough questions. What has he done to attract new and viable businesses to the area? What has he done to attract and retain youth?

We are not the only community in Canada facing these problems. We need a mayor who's going to focus his time and effort on the problems facing our communities, not on the golden goose of provincial funding.

Provincial funding is only one small part of the problems facing our communities. After five years of trying, hopefully the mayor will realize this lawsuit is costing money rather than recovering it.

Aiden Buckland

Calgary

Having come so far, CBRM's constitutional case should not be lightly abandoned

Section: Comment

By Blair Mitchell,

Last week's Supreme Court of Nova Scotia decision striking out the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's legal attack against the province was a hard hit. There will be strong arguments that CBRM should no go further with this, and many of those arguments will be served up with all the sting that political wrangling can muster.

But whatever the lawsuit's original political, practical or legal wisdom, decision makers need to think carefully before simply turning out the lights on this action.

The case represents a significant investment of legal expense, municipal time and commitment that needs to be conserved and respected. But, at least as important, simply letting the claim go may undermine the region's future credibility to threaten a legal challenge to provincial policy.

The creation of CBRM in 1996 - a large area of local government that could speak with one voice in Nova Scotian affairs - has given industrial Cape Breton a new way of influencing provincial decision-making. Having committed to legal action, the region needs to take careful stock of how it will continue to manage this presence.

And giving in to a simple, knee-jerk reaction, for the luxury a few opportunities of saying "I told you so," deserves careful thought.

The action was struck at what is a procedurally early stage: the province alleged that the claim was simply not "a reasonable cause of action" - and on the face of the decision, the argument stuck. The reality is that this was not an easy application to bring, and the Supreme Court's striking it is a clear statement that the law on which CBRM relied is less than clear or simple. The decision may also be saying that this kind of constitutional action in Canada, in legal terms, is still in its infancy.

CBRM's claim is based on Section 36 of the 1982 Constitution Act. Specifically, the section declares that Canada's governments, federal and provincial, are committed to promoting equal opportunities for all Canadians, furthering economic development to address disparity, and providing reasonable levels of essential public services to all Canadians.

At least at first glance, this law would be the first place to look for legal support for a region that believes it is being short-changed in the distribution of provincial development money and the administration of municipal taxes. But the section is a strange one. Called "puzzling" by one legal expert, compared to other rights in the same legislation it is unique.

The provision is written differently from all of the other rights set out. It does not expressly provide for a right to apply to a court or to sue for remedy. And how it is phrased - a statement of commitment to fairness and rough equality of access to essential public services across the country - makes even more unclear how it is to be enforced.

So, in the 26 years since it came into effect, s.36 had come to a court in the country only twice before the CBRM action. And it was on this basis, in the CBRM case, that the province's lawyers argued that the section was never intended to support legal action. Rather, they said, it was merely a statement of principle, and the principle would be meant to be "enforced" by politicians in the political process.

Hearing the lawsuit, the province argued, "would not involve the court in an interpretation of law, but rather in a review of economic policy," and accordingly it disclosed no "cause of action." So, the attorney general said, the claim should be struck. S.36 is just not, in the language of the courts, "justiciable."

And yet surely the section means something. Nova Scotia was as much a signatory of this Constitution as any other government in this country and so this section has to be a significant statement of the province's own commitment to the principles the section sets out.

Like everything from hammers to nuts, constitutions are ultimately made to be used. They provide a basis not just for how laws are to be made, and by whom; they also prescribe values and standards within which law is to be made. They may not have to be used every day or even every month or every year, but they are there for a reason. And, unquestioningly, to ignore their potential to influence public policy can amount to a big political and public policy mistake.

CBRM's lawyers pointed out to the court the significance of the use of the word "commitment" (to economic fairness) in this case. Equally, and strongly, they set out the unequivocal words elsewhere in the Constitution that it "is the supreme law of Canada," and underlined that as such "law" the provision must be enforceable.

The decision reflects that s.36 has scarcely been considered since the Constitution's adoption in 1982, and in the result there is little guidance from other cases to this court on how the matter should be decided.

The decision itself travelled into what seems to be a new way of deciding how such cases should be analyzed for the sake of weighing whether to accept or reject the claim. Beyond this, the municipality's position, according to the court's decision, was further complicated by how circumstances or legal strategy required the claim to be advanced.

It reasonably could only have been expected that at the first level of the court process, considering the stand-alone phrasing of this constitutional provision, in the absence of legal precedents giving it guidance, and in the face of a broadly based challenge such as this, CBRM's action would have been treated cautiously and with close scrutiny in its first appearance in the courts.

There are no guarantees of success in any constitutional litigation. And in this case, the road may be steeper than in many others. But regional disparity is a fundamentally important national issue - across provinces, between them and within them, from one end of this country to the other. Obviously, rightly or wrongly, and there are strong views on both sides, CBRM is convinced it is not being fairly treated.

It bears considering that, whatever else might be said, CBRM's willingness to be resourceful, to advance a position and to endure risk of loss, by having raised the issue and to have come this far perhaps should not be lightly given away.

Blair Mitchell is a Halifax lawyer with an established interest in public law.

Edit- just realised I was on a new page. New photos may have to wait until I'm back to the house after the flood here in Fredericton recedes.

Smevo

May 2, 2008, 4:14 AM

Cape Breton Post

GOOD NEWS TODAY!!! FINALLY!!! AND MORE THAN ONE STORY TOO!!! :D

This is just from the online section for now, if more comes in the subscriber section I'll edit it in tomorrow!

Chalk one up for CBU
Minister of education says CBU will get its new bachelor of education program

DOUG MACKENZIE
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — John Harker didn’t believe in horoscopes until Thursday morning.
Cape Breton University’s president and vice-chancellor picked up a newspaper en route to the Nova Scotia legislature for Education Minister Karen’s Casey’s announcement on changes to the province’s teacher education system.
“I don’t believe in horoscopes, but I was looking through the paper this morning trying to take my mind off where I was going,” said Harker, a taurus. “I read it today and it said ‘You have everything to look forward to and nothing to fear. Yes, it’s really that good.’”
Shortly after reading that bit of prognostication, Harker listened as Casey outlined changes to the teacher education system, changes that include a 40-seat bachelor of education program for CBU.
“I’m very happy it went the way of good public policy for all of Nova Scotia and that’s very important to this university,” Harker said.
A recent review on teacher education in Nova Scotia noted there is an oversupply of teachers in the system and made several recommendations to Casey, including not granting CBU its program; however, the department recognized there is significant demand for a bachelor of education degree and that there are shortages of teachers in some rural areas and in particular subject areas, such as math and French.
With that in mind, Casey supported a BEd degree program at CBU beginning in 2009-10, but only if certain conditions are met, including approval of the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Council and a focus on areas of labour market need.
“I had to look at the geography of the province and where we have universities now that deliver BEd programs — they are all on the mainland — and also look at the number of students leaving Cape Breton,” said Casey. “It was important to me that Nova Scotia students who want to get a BEd program in Nova Scotia would have that as an option and so I wanted to increase the numbers across the province and geographically I wanted Cape Breton to have some of those seats.
“I’m happy for Cape Breton and I’m happy for education all across the province because we have many, many young people who want to be teachers and we want them to have a quality program and we need them in our schools,” Casey said.
“We have to respond to the labour market demands and we know there are some disciplines where we don’t have the supply we need. One of the ways we can make sure we can meet that is to put that on as an expectation.”
“We know when we have a new degree we have to get it approved by the MPHEC and that’s a system we understand and we welcome,” said Harker. “They want 70 per cent to focus on areas of need in the province and we’ll be able to meet with that.”
CBU will now prepare a proposal to submit to the minister, outlining its plan. This will reflect the current 16-month model. The university will be able to respond to demands of the island’s Aboriginal communities.
“Today’s announcement clearly recognizes what we have developed and delivered right here at Cape Breton University, in close partnership with school boards, local teachers, and the best of community resources — a very successful education model,” said Jane Lewis, dean of education, health and wellness at CBU.
CBU’s current partnership with Memorial University of Newfoundland will end after the current cohort of students graduates. The 16-month version, which starts this month, would overlap with the new CBU class. The 2009-10 year will see students entering as CBU education students and receiving their degrees from CBU. CBU will continue to offer the master of education (information technology) with Memorial.

CBRM median incomes grew faster than national and provincial averages!
Business leader calls census figures ‘positive sign’
NANCY KING
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — A local business official says census figures that show that median family income grew significantly since 2000 can be seen as an indicator that the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is seeing some slow progress in its economy.
Data released from the 2006 census by Statistics Canada Thursday indicated the median income for families in CBRM was $51,710 — an increase from the previous census, when it was $46,018 when adjusted for inflation.
The 12.4 per cent increase compares with a national increase in income of 3.7 per cent and a provincial increase of 6.1 per cent.
Individuals in CBRM had a median income of $20,348. Five years earlier, the median income was $17,964.
“We all understand very well the challenges that we’ve faced and where we’ve come from. The economy has gone through a huge transition, and we still have challenges, as far as outmigration,” said Owen Fitzgerald, president of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce. “But what the community needs is to see that there are some positive signs, that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Median income is the point at which there are equal numbers of families earning more and less. Statisticians believe it’s a more accurate portrayal of a community than average income.
Fitzgerald acknowledged there are growing numbers of people choosing to go west in search of good-paying jobs who then send their paycheques home to the families in Cape Breton, but he noted there are also more job openings here now than in recent memory.
He added the Statistics Canada data can serve as good evidence that there has been progress.
John Whalley, economic development manager with the CBRM, noted that in looking a little more closely at the figures, the increases aren’t shown as coming from earnings, but from another source, possibly pensions, which would be associated with the aging population. Those sources won’t be clear until more data is released, he added.
“That is both good news and bad news at the same time — it’s good news in that those families have more income, it’s bad news is that that money is not coming from earnings,” Whalley said.
The census does show how education can impact potential income, he added. While the median income for those with university education was $51,082, college or trade school graduates made much less.
“If you look at the returns to education, it’s quite striking,” Whalley said.
Capt. Bill Preston of the Salvation Army noted that while the census figures may show rising income, that doesn’t mean there’s been a drop in demand for his organization’s services. In fact, demand is higher, he said, possibly due to factors such as a new, higher profile location in Sydney and people having to grapple with rising fuel costs.
“It’s like a domino effect — when fuel goes up, food goes up, gas goes up,” he said. “The minimum wage might go up and incomes might go up ... but the need is there, it’s crazy.”

Holy crap Whalley! It's like the guy was placed there with the sole mandate of perpetually promoting the "doom and gloom" scenario! Can't expect much more, though, from an Economic Development Manager who was against a downtown condo which, literally, would have brought more people into downtown who would walk to downtown businesses and shop there more often than the average vehicle commuter.

Business starting to look up, says Advanced Glazings president
BY CHRIS HAYES
The Cape Breton Post

By Chris Hayes
Cape Breton Post
SYDNEY — Advanced Glazings, a Cape Breton firm that laid off most of its workforce last month because of cash flow problems, says business is starting to look up.
Company president Rob Nearing said Thursday Advanced Glazings has recalled a handful of employees, has some new orders on the books and is talking to potential buyers and investors.
“The company’s future looks much brighter with the amount of business that is coming through the door and the fact we have been able to curtail some of our costs by downsizing a little bit in our overhead,” he said Thursday.
“We are actually running cash positive now.”
The company, which produces Solera, a line of translucent, insulated glass designed to better distribute sunlight entering windows, said in mid-April it was laying off most of its 30-person workforce while keeping a skeleton crew to finish some orders.
Nearing said then the company was experiencing a cash flow problem.
Laying off the employees helped the company reorganize into a more profitable situation, he said Thursday.
The company is now back up from eight to 12 employees, Nearing said. He couldn’t say if or when additional employees will be recalled.
“I foresee that we need them but I don’t want to speculate and say in six months, we will have everybody back because I have to dig a little deeper and really, we are going to run a lean, tight ship.”
Nearing declined to identify the potential buyers or investors because of confidentiality concerns.
He said the company has orders from Canada and the U.S.
“We had a pretty good backlog that we’ve been working through and we are about through our backlog and we will be starting to move forward on the new orders in a continuing operation,” he said.
“We are continuing to operate and we are starting to beef up our production, so we are adding some staff back.”
Last year, the company was named in a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by Doug Milburn, who invented the energy-efficient glass and founded the firm.

I still remember the vacuum tubes and the elevator operator when this was still a department store back in the 80's and 90's.
Special event Saturday will show off Crowell’s building and its history
BY ERIN POTTIE
The Cape Breton Post

By Erin Pottie
Cape Breton Post
SYDNEY — If these walls could talk, the downtown Crowell’s building would tell you it’s about to spring to life this weekend.
The century-old building will host a public event, Saturday, to encourage shoppers to look around, enjoy some activities, and learn a bit about the history of the 1901 structure.
Three shops located within the building are hosting the Spring to Life — Live Action at Crowell’s event. Building owner New Dawn Enterprises is holding an historical exhibit of building artifacts and items from the original Crowell’s department store.
“Together the three stores tried to figure out how we could bring some attention back to the history of what exists here,” said Tanya Andrews of Picturesque Photography. “So were doing it as a spring event and trying to bring some awareness and letting people know what shops are in here now, because there has been a lot of changes in the past few years.”
There will be children’s entertainment by Bubbles the Magic Clown at Planet Kids Books and Toys, live music at More Than Treasures and a ‘15 minutes of fame’ free photo shoot at Picturesque Photography — where visitors will receive a free 4x6 print and door prizes.
The management and staff say they are paying tribute to the longstanding history of the building and are welcoming new opportunities to its doors.
“We’re inviting everyone to come down and check everything out — if anything, come in and look at the stores and the exhibits as well,” said Andrews. “We’re going to have a unique window display; it’s kind of top secret right now but we’re really excited.”
The middle window of the building facing Charlotte Street has been covered up for the display and will be unveiled at 11 a.m., Saturday, though stores open at 9 a.m.
The Crowell’s building was saved in 2004 from the wrecking ball by New Dawn Enterprises and has maintained its legacy as a shopping destination in downtown Sydney. The building is now home to The Shops at Crowell’s, a conglomerate of retail stores.

I actually had no idea there was a plan to demolish it. I'm glad they never did!
Here's the building.
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/86229689.jpg
my own

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Commentaries

MacDonald and Casey came through after all
The Cape Breton Post

Give credit to the premier and the minister of education. I was quick to criticize them on the issue of the Bachelor of Education program for Cape Breton University. Now I must thank them for realizing the importance of this program.
My speculation was not accurate and I do truly apologize. Thank you, Premier Rodney MacDonald, and Education Minister Karen Casey. This is great news for CBU.
Paul Carrigan
Port Caledonia

CBU BEd decision confounds skeptics
The Cape Breton Post

Elsewhere on this page, letter-writer Paul Carrigan offers apology to Premier Rodney MacDonald and Education Minister Karen Casey for speculating that Cape Breton University was headed for disappointment in its campaign for its own Bachelor of Education. We don’t recommend his example; we wouldn’t have space for all the letters because of how pervasive that same pessimistic expectation was among the wide spectrum of Cape Bretoners who exercised pens and typing fingers in support of CBU’s cause.
Even when the government gave off supportive signals, as Premier Rodney MacDonald did in mid-February when he commented that he had “no problem” with CBU’s teacher education arrangement with Memorial University in Newfoundland, it was interpreted in the negative. Aha! folks said, he means to leave us with the status quo, the traitor. Why didn’t he endorse CBU’s bid for its own BEd?
These battles take time to play out, and a premier can’t simply pre-empt a senior minister, in this case his education minister. MacDonald probably said more than he should have that day in Baddeck because he contradicted a key recommendation of the Minister's Advisory Council on Teacher Education six weeks before Casey issued her official response. That advisory report, issued in January, touched off the three-month battle over CBU’s BEd hopes. Some six weeks after MacDonald’s strong public expression of support for CBU retaining at least the Newfoundland partnership, which awards Memorial teaching degrees to students working through CBU, Dalhousie University in Halifax announced that it, too, had inked a deal with Memorial, offering 60 seats to CBU’s 40.
The premier’s signal that the government would not follow the advice to kill the CBU-Memorial deal may well have played into Dal’s decision to move in advance of Casey’s official response to the advisory report. Dal has since backed off in the face to the minister’s displeasure.
In announcing approval Thursday for a 40-seat BEd program for CBU, subject to some conditions that the university is comfortable with, Casey said she took into account that all four BEd programs in the province are “on the mainland.” Not to take anything away from St. F.X. University in Antigonish, one of the four offering an approved BEd program already and still the university of first choice for many Cape Bretoners, Casey’s recognition of Cape Breton as a distinct region, not just part of “eastern Nova Scotia” or some such division, should be read as a small but significant advance in mainland thinking. If this perception had prevailed when teacher education was rationalized down to four programs in the mid-’90s, Cape Breton might not have had to wait more than a decade for a BEd program because Antigonish had one.
Much of the debate has revolved around the definition of “demand” for teacher education: does it mean job market demand for the graduates, primarily within Nova Scotia’s shrinking public school system, or does it also mean “demand” for a BEd option among students, some significant portion of whom will go on to find employment outside Nova Scotia’s public schools and even outside the province? Clearly it should be a balance of these, and Casey has recognized that.
This is a good break, hard won, for CBU and for Cape Breton. We could use some more.

Object of legal case variously stated
The Cape Breton Post

Should we appeal the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia decision on the case of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality versus Province of Nova Scotia? Should we have a plebiscite to decide?
First, I think we should have a definite answer on what we are appealing.
It seems many people believe that what the lawsuit is all about is some $20 million per year that the province owes us. Then I have heard it is about an unspecified amount of money that the province can satisfy by giving us $10 extra per year.
An April 29 article by Chris Shannon (Council Will Debate Possible Plebiscite on Court Appeal) quotes Tom Urbaniak, who is some sort of guru on municipal affairs, saying the object of the lawsuit is, in effect, to order negotiations.
I guess I’m stupid. If negotiations are what is needed, why in the hell are they spending hundreds of thousands of scarce dollars in the courts? Would it not be better to find someone without a chip on his shoulder to talk reasonably with the parent government?
This should not be a popularity contest for the mayor. It should be a decision on clearly stated fact, with input from both sides. We do not have the facts and I challenge the newspaper to provide them. As for the appeal, my answer is No!
D.B. Morrison
Sydney
There should be an editor's note at the end of this pointing to the reports provided to CBRM posted on the municipality's website. It's also not the newspaper's job to fight Morgan's PR battle for him.

Elected representatives should make the call
The Cape Breton Post

With regard to whether to appeal the legal decision on equalization, I must add my two cents while we still have two cents. I think we must appeal. This is the time to move forward, not backward. To do anything else would be a step backward.
I also think our elected representatives should make the decision; that’s why we elect them. So take a stand and make your case. It’s called an elected council, sent by the people — in short, democracy.
Lorne MacKinnon
Sydney

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Edit:

I was wondering why CBRM hasn't published updated community populations yet, now we know.
CBRM frustrated with Statistics Canada

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality's planning department is growing increasingly frustrated at how Statistics Canada derives its population and other demographic information for communities within the CBRM.

Director of planning Doug Foster said it has reached a point where the municipality can't figure out the exact population of Glace Bay - once the largest town in the province - because Statistics Canada uses 208 dissemination areas, or community zones in the CBRM, that in many cases combine neighbouring communities into one population statistic.

He said it's the same for smaller communities elsewhere in the CBRM.

"Alder Point and Little Pond is combined in one enumeration area, so we have no way to break this down," Foster told the municipal planning advisory committee Thursday.

Foster said Statistics Canada has ignored the CBRM's suggestion to align boundaries that follow accepted community and neighbourhood boundaries, or at least maintain the same dissemination areas from one census to another.

The information ascertained by Statistics Canada can be important to volunteer fire departments trying to determine the population of a certain community, as well as the age of residents, in its attempts to recruit new volunteers. It also provides important information for school boards when planning bus routes, Foster said.

"Churches often approach us looking for information on demographics from the census and if we can't break them down into sensible units below the regional level, it really becomes problematic."

With municipal amalgamation in the mid-1990s, the following census in 1996 stopped publishing data on former towns and the city of Sydney because they were no longer incorporated separately, although they were, and continue to be, some of the largest communities in the province, Foster said in his report to the committee.

It leaves the CBRM without accurate population numbers for other major communities such as Sydney, North Sydney, Sydney Mines, New Waterford and Louisbourg.

The Halifax Regional Municipality doesn't face the same problem because it meets the criteria for a census metropolitan area, which produces information on the "block face data" for the urban areas of HRM. Saint John, N.B., with a population of 60,000, also meets the same criteria.

While the CBRM has several urban areas, Foster said Statistics Canada doesn't consider the municipality urban because no one community is considered large enough to be classified as an urban area.

"We've always had problems with this but it's getting worse and we don't seem to be able to get (Statistics Canada's) attention."

Later this month council will be asked to pass a resolution to pressure the federal government to change its policy on publishing dissemination area data so that it follows meaningful community and neighbourhood boundaries recognized by the province, Canada Post and the emergency 911 system.

"The information ascertained by Statistics Canada can be important to volunteer fire departments trying to determine the population of a certain community, as well as the age of residents, in its attempts to recruit new volunteers. It also provides important information for school boards when planning bus routes, Foster said.
As an example, the Sydney UA would be served by Sydney Fire Department (divisions Whitney Pier, Ashby, Central), Sydney River Volunteer Fire Department, Coxheath Volunteer Fire Department, Westmount Volunteer Fire Department, South Bar Volunteer Fire Department, Grand Lake Road Volunteer Fire Department, and Mira Road Volunteer Fire Department. The only population figure available to these departments is Sydney UA.

Another storey on the average income increase
Average CBRM family makes more cash: census

Section: Front

By CP

The latest census data suggests the average family in Cape Breton Regional Municipality has a lot more in its wallets than it did the last time Statistics Canada asked people about how much money they make.

New information from the 2006 census released Thursday indicates the median income for families in Cape Breton Regional Municipality was $51,710 - an increase from the 2001 census, when it was $46,018 when adjusted for inflation.

The 12.4 per cent increase compares with a national increase in income of 3.7 per cent and a provincial increase of 6.1 per cent.

Individuals in Cape Breton Regional Municipality had a median income of $20,348. Five years earlier, the median income was $17,964.

The census data also indicates the gender wage gap decreased. Men in Cape Breton Regional Municipality typically earned $39,123 compared with $29,913 for women - meaning women made on average only 76 per cent of what men earned. Five years earlier, the gap was 70 per cent in favour of men.

People aged 25 to 34 - generally the age range when younger people are getting established in the workforce - had a median income of $20,450. Senior citizens in Cape Breton Regional Municipality had a median income of $18,980.

Statistics Canada also looked at how people in the lowest and highest earnings brackets fared over the five-year period.

The median earnings for lower-income workers - those in the bottom 20 per cent of earners in the community - increased by 9.8 per cent to $13,554. Those at the high end - in the top 20 per cent - saw their income increase by 6.6 per cent to $67,439.

Statistics Canada does not have a standard definition for the term "poverty line." Instead, it uses a formula that looks at families who need to spend a high proportion of their income on basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing. In Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Statistics Canada says 15.1 per cent of families fell into this low-income category.

Not surprisingly, the level of education has a direct impact on earnings. Among people in Cape Breton Regional Municipality with a university education, the median wage was $51,082; those with college degrees made $34,218; trade or apprentice school grads made $32,732; people with only a high school diploma made $26,177 and those with no secondary school diploma made $24,940.

Immigrants living in Cape Breton Regional Municipality typically had a median wage of 1.5 per cent less than the median wage of all those in Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Across the country, the census shows that immigrants made less on the job than the average Canadian - $39,523 compared with a national median wage of $41,401.

The earnings information released by Statistics Canada is based on information gathered in the 2006 census where respondents were asked for their total income during 2005. Income can include earnings from a job, investments and government programs.

The data published Thursday is the final release of material from the 2006 census. Previously, Statistics Canada revealed information about the population of Cape Breton Regional Municipality in a wide range of areas, including age and sex breakdowns, education, immigration and language. The next census is scheduled to be conducted in May 2011.

Smevo

May 4, 2008, 6:23 AM

Cape Breton Post

I agree with Mr. Jackson that people should read the decision (I have) and not blindly follow either side, but I disagree that we shouldn't appeal (personal opinion). I do, however, think we should've been seeking a settlement rather than a declaration, but it's too late to change that now. I think we need to see what the Supreme Court of Canada has to say about it, and if we lose, we lose, but at least we didn't give up. (If we lose it's probably going to be because we were seeking a declaration rather than a settlement...something that opens up the floodgates to further legal action whenever there's a disagreement b/w a municipality and the province, but negotiation is a lost cause at this point since the province is not interested and continues to claim all areas of the province are treated fairly...again personal opinion).
CBRM should stop chasing the pot of gold through expensive legal action

Section: Comment

Column: Fred Jackson

By Fred Jackson,

We're not claiming a specific amount of money, we're looking to seek a declaration. A declaration is the appropriate remedy.

This important comment by Toronto constitutional lawyer Neil Finkelstein, which I published at the beginning of a December column, came home to roost last week when Mr. Justice John D. Murphy of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia rendered his judgment in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's constitutional litigation against the Government of Nova Scotia.

I have said from Day 1, including in that December column, reiterated in another column last month, that even a legal victory would not mean any instant cash payoff for CBRM. Finkelstein made that point to Murphy during a hearing last fall.

Finkelstein said the case is not about money but about what the citizens of CBRM deserve, such as a provincially comparable level of municipal services at a reasonable level of taxation.

Back then I said this should be a reminder for our taxpayers and voters. When you interpret these words and understand the Constitution, it's clear there would not be an immediate windfall for CBRM.

No money would be awarded directly, so taxpayers and CBRM council shouldn't be counting on a windfall to erase a debt that could cost taxpayers about $6 million annually on interest.

Now it's official. Murphy has tossed out CBRM's legal case, which accused the provincial government of chronically underfunding the municipality by millions of dollars through a complex provincial equalization formula.

Mayor John Morgan, who led the charge to hire of the Toronto-based law firm to pursue the issue of inequity in the province's equalization formula and its support for economic development in Cape Breton, said he'll look at an appeal of Murphy's decision, which would need council approval to proceed.

Folks, Justice Murphy's decision is loud and clear. The entire decision is available on our website at www.cbpost.com if you'd like to read it yourself.

On Page 7 of the decision, Justice Murphy states: "The only relief which CBRM seeks is a declaration that the Government of Nova Scotia has not complied with its commitments under Section 36 of the Constitution Act. It does not ask the court to determine the full scope of Nova Scotia's constitutional commitment, nor does it request the court to direct what the province must do to fulfil its obligations. The municipality does not challenge the constitutionality or validity of the Municipal Grants Act or other Nova Scotia legislation."

On Page 32, the judge notes again that the only remedy sought by CBRM is a declaration that Nova Scotia breached its constitutional commitments in Section 36. The municipality argued that the court should declare that constitutional commitments had not been fulfilled but did not ask the court to do more than declare there has been a breach; the municipality maintained that determining the remedy and manner of compliance can be left to the government to decide.

Folks, there's no pot of gold at the end of CBRM's rainbow. CBRM must move forward and forget the appeal process.

CBRM's financial state needs immediate action. It's a serious situation.

If I were Morgan, I would continue to fight for Cape Breton by negotiating with the province and the federal government. It's time for our mayor, council, and all community and business leaders work together.

And it's time that all citizens understood that this battle is purely political and about different views of what's necessary for economic survival. Hopefully, the people of CBRM will gain a true understanding by reading Justice Murphy's decision. This should be in the hands of voters.

Post gauging public opinion with reader poll on the appeal issue

Section: Front

Residents and politicians in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality continue to debate the pros and cons of whether to appeal a Nova Scotia Supreme Court decision that threw out a constitutional challenge from the CBRM.

Mayor John Morgan has been leading the charge for a more equitable slice of the economic pie after charging the province has chronically short-changed the municipality by millions of dollars through a complex and lopsided equalization formula.

Given the long and short-term implications and huge costs of a potential appeal, the Cape Breton Post has initiated a reader poll in an effort to gauge public opinion.

The poll as of now has is 95% in favour of a plebiscite, 5% in favour of the councillors deciding. Judging by the comments section, those in favour of the plebiscite don't want this decided by councillors trying to position themselves for the election.

At least two potential buyers for Ski Cape Smokey

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Chris Hayes,

A society trying to sell Ski Cape Smokey confirmed Friday it has received a proposal from one potential buyer and is hoping to hear from a second.

Lee Buchanan, the acting chairman, said the Ski Cape Smokey Society has set a firm May 9 deadline to hear from the second prospective buyer, which he identified as a Cape Breton group.

"I feel very confident that it is gone," he said. "We have a good proposal in now and we are waiting on the next one. The next one is going to have to be awfully good."

The Nova Scotia government which owns the ski hill will be involved with any sale, as will the local business community, said Buchanan.

Buchanan also planned to hold public meetings on the proposals.

"It is going to be a community-based decision."

Buchanan said he can't reveal details of the proposal that has already been received other than to say it includes an expansion of the ski hill and year-round activities.

He hoped to have a decision soon after the May 9 deadline.

Ski Cape Smokey, which has been described as one of the best ski hills in Atlantic Canada, has been closed this season and last because of a lack of funds to operate.

The society had asked for proposals from buyers who could turn Ski Cape Smokey into a year-round ski hill and tourist attraction that would be a big economic boost for the area.

History will repeat itself

Up to 1,000 costumed historical re-enactors set to gather for 250th anniversary of the second siege of Fortress Louisbourg

Section: Weekend

By Chris Hayes,

History will come to life at Fortress Louisbourg in July when up to 1,000 costumed historical re-enactors gather for an encampment celebrating the 250th anniversary of the second siege of the fortress.

Like Jeff Brown of St. Thomas, Ont., they will wear the clothing and play the parts of British soldiers and the French troops they defeated in the summer of 1758 to win control over the fortress town, in what was one of the most significant events in Canadian history.

Brown, a nurse in his work-a-day life, will play a British corporal in the Amherst's 15th Regiment of Foot, which is based on an actual regiment under the command of Brigadier General James Wolfe during the siege at Louisbourg and, a year later, the battle at the Plains of Abraham.

"I have always had a love for history," said Brown, who will be joined by his wife, Brenda.

"My father was in the military, my grandfather, my great-grandfather. My mother told me by the time I was four, I had pretty much a good grounding in military history."

Fortress of Louisbourg marketing officer Mark Sajatovich said Encampment 2008 from July 25-27 is expected to attract about 1,000 costumed re-enactors from across North America playing the parts of British, French and native people of the era.

During the encampment, there will be a number of "tacticals" or demonstrations of the type of warfare fought in that era. The tacticals will include an evening attack on the fortress that will end with a display of 18th-century fireworks.

The fortress also plans special siege, archaeology and garden tours and dancing and drumming exhibits.

"Once in a lifetime is sometimes a cliché but this really isn't," said Sajatovich. "This will be a once in a lifetime thing."

The second siege of the French fortress which happened over seven weeks in the summer of 1758 was a key battle in the Seven Years War between the British and French.

Wolfe gained prominence as one of three divisional commanders during this siege and the following year became overall commander of the British land forces attacking Québec, the fortress website added.

It was one of the most significant events in Canadian history, Sajatovich said.

For the British, capturing the fortress was a necessary step to mounting the sea-borne attack at the Plains of Abraham under Wolfe's command a year later, which led to the fall of Quebec and French power in what became Canada..

"It was necessary to take Louisbourg to open the way to Quebec, although obviously the threat Louisbourg would have posed would have been from the ships in its harbour not the guns in its walls," explained Sandy Balcom, a curator at Fortress Louisbourg.

"The link between the attack on Louisbourg and the attack the next year on Quebec was a very direct one."

The battle at the Plains of Abraham was followed by the official ceding by France of its North American possessions to England.

For the community of Louisbourg, which is planning lots of events during the encampment weekend and throughout the rest of the summer, the 250th anniversary celebrations are an opportunity to revive a declining tourist industry, said Sherry Borgo, project manager for Louisbourg 2008.

"We have made every attempt this summer to ensure it's a summer jam packed full of events for all ages and walks of life."

During the encampment weekend, events will include a Parade of Centuries involving the re-enactors and modern-day military, songwriters' circle, entertainment tents with vendors and food, a mess tent, activities for children, outdoor adventure activities like sea kayaking, concert and a fireworks display celebrating the official opening of a improved section of the Lighthouse Trail.

The community will also unveil an historic stone gate at the entrance to Louisbourg modelled on one in the fortress.

Louisbourg's plans for the rest of the summer will include cultural heritage days, a crab festival, a fishermen's carnival, old town reunion and rural summer fest.

Borgo hopes to see 30,000 visitors over the encampment weekend and many more during the whole summer.

Fortress Louisbourg is the best historical site in North America if you ask Brown, who has visited a number of others and taken part in other encampments. This will be his fourth trip to the Cape Breton fortress.

Brown and other members of the modern Amherst's 15th Regiment of Foot like to entertain spectators by acting out their own storyline about capturing a deserter who is hiding out in the community near the historical site.

"We capture him, bring him back to camp in shackles, he is publicly humiliated, flogged. It's amazing. The public just goes wild," he said.

The historical re-enactment will also have a more serious side for Brown.

"It gives me a real sense of appreciation for both sides, the British and the French, as to what the people went through years ago to found this country."

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More lawsuit commentaries, again, one on each side
CBRM's constitutional case a dud from the get-go

Section: Weekend Feedback

By Dan Fraser,

I was not surprised by the April 24 headline, CBRM Lawsuit Tossed. While campaigning for mayor four years ago, I made the point, obviously not as well as I should have, that the suit was bound to fail. This was based on two main reasons.

Professor Peter Hogg has written that interpreting Section 36 of the Constitution is not an issue for the courts but a political matter. Most people would not know him, but for constitutional law in Canada there is Prof. Hogg - and then all others. The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia agreed with that position in this case.

The other reason I said this action was doomed is that in this circumstance the court cannot award money. All it can do is make a declaration that the disbursement of money by the province is contrary to Section 36. In reality, that is all Mayor John Morgan and the regional municipality asked of the court. Although it may come as a surprise to many, CBRM and its expensive lawyer, Neil Finkelstein, did not ask for any money.

Don't take my word on this: read Mr. Justice John D. Murphy's judgment where he explains what CBRM was claiming.

The mayor admits he has no Plan B to bring the Cape Breton Regional Municipality back from the brink of bankruptcy. However, when he took office - thanks to the Plan A prepared by Gordon MacInnis as director of finance - CBRM was working its way out of debt, and by 2007 would have begun spending money on capital projects without the need to borrow. Our mayor and his supporters in council could not wait. The mayor pointed the finger at others for our poor financial situation, ignored the MacInnis plan, then with council support started borrowing money, permitting some councillors to spend hundreds of thousands of these borrowed dollars as they wished, and destroyed the capital expenditure priority plan. Thus did people feel they should not worry because, according to Morgan, the lawsuit was a "slam dunk" (Cape Breton Post, Oct. 30, 2003).

It is hard to believe that the mayor would deal with fiscal issues in such a way that he would count on money from a lawsuit. In effect, the municipality has been spending money in an out-of-control manner while depending on receiving money from an ill-conceived lawsuit. It is an irresponsible way to run the municipality.

In recent years, CBRM has been provided with additional tax dollars due to increased assessment values on our homes and businesses. At the same time, we have been given a windfall of $3.5 million from the federal government in the form of gasoline tax rebates and every cent of it has gone to make payments on the interest charged on borrowed money. We have nothing to show for these increased dollars given to CBRM.

To Mayor Morgan I say forget the appeal, roll up your sleeves and start listening to and working with your councillors; listen to and work with the business community and other organizations in our community that are seriously trying to grow jobs and improve our quality of life. And, most of all, stop fighting with others who can and will work with CBRM to assist wherever they can, and instead start to provide some appropriate leadership and guidance to the councillors and the administration.

Dan Fraser lives in Sydney.

Losing Round 1 only to be expected

Section: Weekend Feedback

If the five Alberta women associated with the Persons Case had listened to the "expert" opinion after the "wise" justices of the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that women were not persons, how long would that injustice have persisted? Undeterred, they correctly pressed on, and changed the law. After reading the subjectively-laden decision on the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's legal case by a former Halifax-based lawyer, I find that this initial outcome was to be expected.

The legal gymnastics used by Mr. Justice John D. Murphy to dismiss the municipality's case make one question why Section 36 was inserted in the Constitution if it has no enforcement provision (although that is not stated), while other "experts" argue it does, to which this judge gives little consideration.

On such expert, Prof. Lorne Sossin, states: "It simply does not make sense that unwritten, judge-made constitutional doctrines such as conventions possess this 'constitutional feature,' while written provisions of the Constitution Act, 1982, do not."

Justice Murphy asserts "that the commitments upon which the municipality's claim is based do not diminish the legislative authority of Parliament or the legislatures, or their rights with respect to the exercise of that authority." That would be an impossible claim for the municipality to make since the municipality is itself a creation of the provincial authority.

The municipality's claim need only request a declaration that the provincial government in a transparent manner must exercise its authority pursuant to the equalization commitment in Section 36.

And, since none of our MLAs has publicly expressed support for this municipality's grievance as expressed in its suit, the only possible avenue remaining for the residents of this municipality is to appeal this decision.

Charles W. Sampson

Sydney Forks

Davey Boy Smith

May 9, 2008, 2:05 AM

A few notes around town:

- There is a construction trailer at the old George's Pizza location. I noticed that today. I have NO idea if or what might be going there but it is interesting nonetheless.

- The new building near the Regional Hospital is the new headquarters for Emergency Health Services (ambulances). Apparently, it is going to be quite the state of the art facility. They currently have their headquarters in a tiny building near Centre 200.

- The old Vogue location is now totally cleared and the ugly red building next door was also taken down. NO construction yet.

- NO go on Eastside Mario's - for now. They are still hoping it will happen at some point though. Urban Planet is apparently a new store coming instead. Michael's opened a few weeks ago.

- The YMCA construction should be starting soon as they have now closed the back parking lot.

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 5:00 PM

Thanks for the updates Davey Boy Smith. The next time I'm in town won't be until the end of June, so keep them coming as you see/hear them. Too bad about Eastside, but I'm sure someone will step up and revive it. People in town have been waiting for something like it for a while now. I'm assuming it will be revived as a stand-alone in the SPAR Rd powercentre.

Good to hear about the YMCA starting soon, I'm assuming the office building on the Vogue site will start late spring/summer. From what I've heard, Royal Bank is his anchor tenant (moving from Prince Street Plaza), but that's unofficial rumour from what I understand.

Good to see EHS move too. I still remember when Curry's Ambulance had their headquarters on the second floor of the building on the corner of Prince and George. I think the ramp is still in back.

I'm trying to remember where George's Pizza was. Was that near downtown? Possibly used to be Mama's Pizza? I'm more familiar with the shops in/near the Pier.

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 5:12 PM

Cape Breton Post

From here-on, I will be limiting the lawsuit related commentary I post because, frankly, there'll be at least a couple each day until either the election or it gets back in court or withdrawn.

Tourism industry happy about repeal of Tourist Accommodations Act

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Shannon,

The tourism industry in Cape Breton is optimistic that the repeal of the Tourist Accommodations Act will result in less government regulation and better quality of accommodations over the long-term.

Tourism Minister Bill Dooks introduced the repeal of the act Friday in the legislature, which means accommodations will no longer have to be licensed but instead will have to participate in a recognized quality program if operators want the province to promote their businesses.

Pauline Bona, the owner of L'Auberge Acadienne Inn in Arichat, said the change will give operators the option to choose which rating system suits them the best.

"I don't think in today's world that we should be dictated as to who (we choose as a rating system). I'm now studying the different types of programs there," Bona said.

In order to be eligible for provincial marketing programs such as novascotia.com, the Doers' and Dreamers' guide or the Check-In Nova Scotia reservation service, tourism operators must choose one of several quality assurance programs.

They can participate in any of the recognized rating programs such as Canada Select or the Canadian Automobile Association's diamond rating program. More than 60 per cent of operators are rated through a recognized rating program.

It's estimated operators could save anywhere between $80 to $800 in licensing fees, Dooks said.

"Operators will face less red tape and enjoy the freedom to choose the type of quality program that best suits their business needs," he said in a release.

Another option open to establishments that want to tap government resources but don't want to enter into a ratings program is the new accommodation quality program led by the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia.

The association is working with operators to develop and lead the new program, which will include a set of quality standards for accommodations properties.

While quality will be led by the industry, safety issues will continue to be dealt with through other legislation.

Accommodations operators who choose not to participate in a quality program must still comply with all federal, provincial and municipal legislation related to public safety and the operation of a business, but they will not be promoted by the province.

Ray Kavanaugh, chair of Destination Cape Breton Association, said a committee may be set up to monitor the quality of accommodations.

"I think a majority of people feel this can work provided again that there's quality control," he said.

"There's always been a problem, for example, with unlicensed premises versus licensed premises and that sort of thing. There are people playing by the rules and people not playing by the rules and that's been a real difficulty."

The province made the decision to repeal the act after a review that began in July 2006.

Until the act is repealed, the department is granting short-term tourist accommodation licences to operators. Once the bill is proclaimed, licensing will end.

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 5:46 PM

Cape Breton Post

Marconi students reconstruct historic gate from Fortress Louisbourg

Section: Business

Nova Scotia Community College students at Marconi campus have used their newly acquired skills to forge a piece of history for the community of Louisbourg.

Students in the metal fabrication and plating and welding programs reconstructed the Bigot Gate that protected residents of the 18th century French fortress.

Students used the original plans and design.

The reconstructed gate will be erected at the entrance to the community as part of this summer's Louisbourg 2008 events in which the community celebrates the 250th anniversary of the second siege of the fortress in 1758.

Jason Vassello, an instructor, said the students took a great deal of pride in the project knowing that it would be permanently installed to welcome visitors for generations to come.

"This project not only brought a benefit to the community of Louisbourg, it also provided a great deal of motivation for the students to use their newly learned skills on such a significant project," he said.

Sherry Borgo, project manager for Louisbourg 2008, said the community has been waiting for many years to have an entrance like the gate and will always be grateful to the students.

"This project will serve as a legacy to NSCC and its students for many years to come," she said.

A plaque will be mounted on the site of the gate as a tribute to the Marconi campus and students.

A ribbon cutting will be held to officially open the gate on Canada Day, July 1, at the S&L Railway in Louisbourg.

Chamber launches council to promote innovative new businesses

Section: Cape Breton

By Nancy King,

The Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a council on innovation intended to encourage entrepreneurs to think creatively and launch new businesses in Cape Breton.

The council - chaired by Advanced Glazings founder Doug Milburn - has 32 charter members, including private sector companies such as AG Research, Marcato Digital and Protocase, as well as public sector agencies such as Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.

The council is advocating for the establishment of a publicly funded (in the form similar to InNOVAcorp's I-3) contest which would see five startups each year supported financially with prizes of $100,000 each. The program would be specific to Cape Breton.

"We have that level of entrepreneurship in our community that is very doable - five a year on an ongoing basis," Milburn said.

The council's role will be in encouraging community support, he noted.

"We've had a history in our community, when we try to do things, sometimes we don't get full community support before we make our move and we've been wasting a lot of energy in this community fighting with each other, as opposed to fighting the good battle," he said.

It will also attempt to bring the different elements such as economic development agencies and innovators together. It will do that by taking what's worked in the past and building on it, Milburn said, such as the Technical Advisory Group which originated in the 1990s and InNOVAcorp's I-3 business plan competition.

Milburn used his current employer, Protocase, a company that specializes in customized metal enclosures, as an example of a successful innovative Cape Breton-based company.

"Protocase has innovated in their business model and offers things in two to three days, via design routes that you couldn't even do 10 years ago and as such people from all over North America and the U.K. buy their electronics enclosures here," he said. "Why would somebody from San Jose decide to place an order with a company in Sydney, N.S. - it's because we serve them better."

Past efforts have focused on trying to attract established businesses to Cape Breton, which is extremely difficult, Milburn said. The council would instead focus on encouraging the startup of new ventures here, which could then attract private investment.

Chamber president Owen Fitzgerald said supporting innovation is a key element of the group's vision for future economic development, and noted there are already highly innovative companies based in Cape Breton.

"They have had some great success and are demonstrating to the world that innovation can be successful, if not more successful here in Cape Breton," he said.

The public and private support that's been shown is encouraging, he added.

Acting ECBC CEO Marlene Usher said while there have been some local research and development projects funded, Cape Breton hasn't really been positioned to make best use of programs such as the Atlantic Innovation Fund, set up by the federal government. She added more effort has to be given to building capacity for research and the council will play a role in that. Innovation will be critical to Cape Breton's competitiveness and long-term prosperity, she said.

Devco president Ross McCurdy said he thinks innovation is the key to the region's future, and as an example, added he believes its principle economic driver in the 21st century will be energy, calling it one of the richest areas of the world from an energy resource standpoint - including wind, geothermal, biofuel and energy from the Sydney coalfield. Innovation will play a large role in making that potential reality, he added.

"I believe the future can be bright and I think there is tremendous potential for you in Cape Breton to succeed," McCurdy said.

I can't understand how pensions could be responsible for an increase in median income of $5,700/yr after allowing for inflation, but that's what John Whalley thinks anyway, and this editorial thinks "we have to look into it further". Wouldn't have anything to do with our movements in the labour force characteristics. :rolleyes:
Dry numbers stir passions

Section: Comment

It was Mark Twain who attributed to British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli, perhaps incorrectly, the now famous remark: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." A Cape Bretoner could sum up the point more succinctly: "All numbers are politics."

We got a sour taste of this truism last week when surfers bombarded the Cape Breton Post website with vitriolic comments to the story, Business Leader Calls Census Figures 'Positive Sign.' The story quoted Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce president Owen Fitzgerald's upbeat interpretation of new Statistics Canada numbers showing a sharp rise in family income in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. (Some of the anonymous comments were removed for violating the website guidelines.)

It's a strange mind-set that attacks even a mildly optimistic view of the region's economy as though it were propaganda in the class of Joseph Goebbels or the Dear Leader of North Korea, Kim Il-sung. In this case, even CBRM's economic development manager, John Whalley, often called upon to tell the downside of any new set of numbers, found "both good news and bad news" in the income statistics, based on StatsCan's census analysis.

The striking number for CBRM is the rise in median income for families from the 2001 census figure of $46,018 to $51,710 in real terms (allowing for inflation). That 12.4 per cent increase compares to 6.1 per cent for the province and 3.7 per cent nationally. For individuals, CBRM's median moved in five years from $17,964 to $20,348, a gain of more than 13 per cent.

There's no particular reason to question the accuracy of these figures. Just what they mean is far from clear, however. Fitzgerald's conclusion that "we're moving in the right direction" is not unreasonable on its face, though Whalley points out that more detail is needed since something besides earnings is contributing to the increases - possibly pensions, reflecting the aging population.

While the politics of numbers takes a peculiar twist in CBRM, related to the uniquely ideological divide over whether the region's glass is half full or nearly empty, this is by no means the only place where StatsCan's dry numbers get people excited.

Last week's release of the report, Earnings and Incomes of Canadians Over the Past Quarter Century, had conservative commentators hyperventilating over the way StatsCan had called attention to the figures on earnings (mostly from paid work) instead of the more inclusive figures on income (including the effects of taxes and government benefits, such as old-age pensions).

It turns out, you see, that earnings for middle-income Canadians have virtually flat-lined in real terms over the last 25 years; meanwhile, the lowest 20 cent saw earnings sag 20 per cent and the top earners gained 16 per cent. As one would expect, many news reports keyed on the theme of a growing income gap between top and bottom, and the stagnant middle class, though a fuller picture shows government actions on taxes and transfers (for child support, for example) have moderated income gap growth.

Curiously, though, while the emphasis on income rather than earnings alone is meant to short-circuit calls for more "progressive" taxation and more government transfers to individuals, the same argument underlines the growing importance over the last quarter century of government policies and programs in maintaining whatever standard of equity prevails in the country today.

I'll have to look into this later and compare the 2001 breakdown to the 2006 one, but I'm still dealing with flood cleanup/displacement at this point.

Because it's not a commentary, and Fogarty's response is all too predictable.
Lawsuit seems to suit CBRM citizens just fine

Clear majority at public meeting want CBRM lawsuit to continue

Section: Front

By Tom Ayers,

A clear majority of those who attended a public meeting Monday evening at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre voiced their support for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's legal case against the province.

Speaker after speaker got up to the microphone at the CBC-sponsored meeting to say they believe the CBRM has been chronically underfunded by other levels of government and the municipality should continue its constitutional challenge for a fairer distribution of tax dollars.

Kevin MacNeil of Sydney drew thunderous applause when he compared CBRM's relationship with other governments to the way bullies are dealt with in the education system.

"I found out at Ashby School, you stand up to the bastards," he said.

"I don't think we need a smaller council, we need more voices ... you never, ever back up from a bully and that's what's going on here."

CBC Radio's Information Morning host Steve Sutherland emceed the meeting, which was attended by about 120 people and included a panel discussion by Mayor John Morgan, Deputy Mayor Richard Fogarty and Cape Breton University political scientist Tom Urbaniak.

A Nova Scotia Supreme Court justice tossed out the CBRM's legal case against the province April 23, and Morgan is urging council to appeal to a higher court. Fogarty is against an appeal, saying the legal costs are at nearly $300,000 now and will be close to $600,000 by the time it's all over.

Urbaniak agrees with the decision to sue the government over a constitutional principle, but is urging a "third way" in which council simultaneously implements economic development projects on an incremental basis in order to improve the municipality's financial situation.

Morgan said CBRM staff are in the process of filing a notice of appeal and that council will decide May 23 if it wishes to continue with that appeal. After that, council may also decide whether to put the issue to the citizens in a plebiscite that would coincide with municipal elections this fall.

Twenty citizens went to the microphone and 16 clearly said the lawsuit should continue. One said it definitely should not, one asked for more information, one called for a plebiscite on the issue and one didn't say one way or the other.

Bernard Gillis of Sydney, the lone dissenter, referred to the amalgamation that led to the regional municipality and the differences of opinions on council regarding the lawsuit.

"CBRM is not operating as it was intended to," he said. "It was supposed to be a united body. We are not working as a group."

He also opposed to suing the provincial government.

"I believe in negotiating."

A number of speakers, including the mayor, said the province is not negotiating because it believes tax dollars are distributed fairly.

"At this point, negotiation with the province is at a dead end," said Gordon Sampson of North Sydney.

Everett Baker of Mira Road said as a retired union representative, he understood the need to have the law on his side in any negotiations.

"You've got to have something that says you have to come to the table to talk to us," he said.

At one point, Chris Corbett of North Sydney asked the audience for a show of hands: who supports an appeal? Most hands shot up.

Fogarty, who was the subject of plenty of heckling throughout the meeting, said he was not deterred in his decision to oppose an appeal.

"There's 102,000 people in this municipality and this is certainly not a majority," he said.

120, while not large, is a pretty darn good turnout for something like this. The thing I don't like about Fogarty is that he seems scared to see it go to plebiscite, where it will be clear whether a majority or minority support it. If Morgan, as stubborn as he is for it, can extend an olive branch, than so should Fogarty imo.

Port Hawkesbury keeps pulling its weight

Port has largest tonnage increase in Canada, passing Saint John, N.B. for third place

Section: Front

By Nancy King,

In 2005, a year of record-breaking freight handled by ports nationally, the port here saw the largest tonnage increase in Canada, according to a new Statistics Canada report.

Port Hawkesbury, surpassed Saint John, N.B. for third place on the list of the country's top 20 ports. It went from handling almost 24 million tonnes of cargo in 2004 to 30.7 million tonnes in 2005, a 27.9 per cent increase, or 6.7 million tonnes. The report said that the jump was mainly due to increased international shipments of crude petroleum.

The largest single cargo handler at the Strait of Canso is Statia Terminals' Point Tupper facility, it operates one of the world's largest storage and petroleum products transshipment terminal.

The only ports ranking ahead of Port Hawkesbury were the Port of Vancouver, which saw a 4.6 per cent increase to 78.3 million tonnes, and Come-By-Chance, which saw a 7.2 per cent decline, to 39 million tonnes.

It was the second annual drop for Come-By-Chance, which also experienced the biggest decline in Canada.

Vancouver's increase was attributed to improved shipments of bulk commodities and a record volume of containerized tonnage.

From 2004-2005, Port Hawkesbury saw a 12.9 per cent drop in domestic cargo, to 449,000 thousand tonnes, but also a 28.8 per cent increase in international cargo handled, to 30.2 million tonnes.

While Saint John dropped to fourth place, it also saw a 4.6 per cent increase in cargo handled.

Nationally, the report indicated Canadian ports handled record-breaking levels of freight for the fourth consecutive year in 2005, as international cargo hit another high. Overall, shipments increased at 14 of the country's top 20 ports.

Ports and marine terminals under 19 Canadian port authorities handled 53 per cent of the total cargo.

While the most recent figures looked at by Statistics Canada come from 2005, an official with the Strait of Canso Superport Corp., has indicated more recent figures it has seen place the Strait as second only to Vancouver for the year 2006 in terms of tonnes of cargo handled. The corporation is the non-profit body responsible for operating marine facilities at the Mulgrave Marine Terminal and Port Hawkesbury Wharf.

ErickMontreal

May 9, 2008, 5:49 PM

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 6:12 PM

Cape Breton Post

The front page had a picture of some of the work being done for the Wentworth Park Upgrades. Phase 2 is officially underway! :D

The caption underneath the picture reads:
Jimmy Jonas of Boart Longyear Inc. Environmental Geotechnical Drilling runs a safety cable through the uprights on a drilling barge in the Wentworth Park pond in Sydney, Tuesday. The company starts drilling for soil samples today as part of a geotechnical investigation necessary for the upcoming park upgrade. Coun. Ray Paruch says that the Cape Breton Regional Municipality plans to narrow the pond closest to the bandshell and also extend the bandshell platform so the park can host events. Steve Wadden - Cape Breton Post

This is an interesting development. I understand that the Chamber wouldn't be able to "name drop" those that were driven away, but I wonder if it's maybe not slightly exaggerated as the the extent of it. That said, I know the Chamber knows a hell of a lot more about the situation on the business end than I do.
Chamber seeks common ground on municipal lawsuit issue

Section: Business

By Tom Ayers,

The chamber of commerce is opposed to an appeal of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's lawsuit against the province and the business group hopes to get the two levels of government to the table for a meeting.

"We have to do something," said Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce president Owen Fitzgerald. "I don't think people realize how much this is hurting us . . . it's driving business away."

The chamber planned to issue invitations to the mayor and councillors and area MLAs, Tuesday, for a meeting to try to pursue a process of negotiation rather than further legal action.

"We're just hoping if we can calm people down and make it less political . . . let's see if there's some area of compromise," Fitzgerald said.

At its regular monthly meeting, Monday, the 600-member chamber voted "overwhelmingly" to oppose an appeal of the lawsuit, Fitzgerald added.

"In the past year since I've become president, we've made it an effort to take a collaborative approach on issues.

"The municipality has tried one route for years now at great expense and it's had a negative effect, and it's time to move on."

Fitzgerald said he isn't at liberty to identify companies or business people who have been driven away from CBRM because of the lawsuit, but he said the political climate and negative attitude expressed by some people has hurt the business community.

"In conversations we have with different business people, it arises," he said.

"I don't want anyone to think everything's perfect . . . (but) it seems like we're putting all of our efforts into where our weaknesses are."

The chamber hopes to hold its first meeting with the municipality and the province by May 16. At that point, Fitzgerald said, the chamber will try to get both sides to agree on an independent expert to further mediate the dispute.

Fitzgerald said a few politicians are aware of the chamber's plan, but he isn't sure the tactic will succeed. However, he added, the chamber was successful in mediating a dispute between New Dawn Enterprises and the Department of National Defence, and he hopes the same approach will work with CBRM.

"We're hoping to start a dialogue and see who can come to the table," he said. "We're just issuing the invitations. There's some indication that some are willing, but we'll have to wait and see.

"We're at a critical juncture in our economic development and we need all the help we can get."

If they can successfully do it, I'd much rather this route, but it all depends on both sides being open-minded, which is much harder with politicians than it is with companies and government departments.

CBU has jumped on the international campus bandwagon
CBU convocation will include first class from Egypt campus

Two Cape Bretoners to receive honorary degrees

Section: Cape Breton

More than 700 students from 34 programs will graduate from Cape Breton University Saturday in its annual spring convocation, including the first class from its campus in Egypt.

Chancellor Annette Verschuren will be on hand to confer the degrees, diplomas and certificates, and also pay tribute to two honorary degree recipients.

The first class from the CBU campus in Cairo, Egypt - the Canadian International College - is set to graduate. A dozen students will receive bachelor of technology information degrees, the remaining 12 with bachelor of business administration degrees.

The students take their first two or three years in Egypt and then have the option to attend CBU. The CIC offers a cross-cultural educational experience, including the option to study in Canada and the opportunity to graduate with both Canadian and Egyptian degrees.

This year's valedictorian is Cindy Butler. Originally from Halifax, she now lives with her family in Cape Breton. She will graduate with her bachelor of arts degree, major in English and political science. Butler will start her next degree next week in the final cohort of the CBU/Memorial University bachelor of education program.

Bringing salutations is Sara Rambolt of Mary's Harbour, NL.

The two honorary degree recipients are Beatrice LeBlanc and Kenneth Mann.

LeBlanc is an humanitarian and advocate for women and children who have been threatened by abuse. A native of Arichat, she relocated to Sydney 40 years ago and, in 1981, began working at Cape Breton Transition House, where she is now executive director. LeBlanc, who will also address the graduates, will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

Mann, a noted scholar, author and world leader on aquatic ecology research, will be recognized with a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, for his innovative and influential career. Born in England, Mann received his doctoral degree from the University of Reading where he began his career as a freshwater ecologist. He led a holistic study of the River Thames as a whole ecosystem, which set the standard for 40 years of innovative and productive research. In 1967, he immigrated to Canada where he was invited to join the staff at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Nova Scotia. Mann supervised the graduate research of James Foulds and Bruce Hatcher, two professors of marine science at Cape Breton University.

Saturday's convocation ceremony starts at 2 p.m. in the Canada Games Complex. Community members are invited to attend, and a reception will follow in the CBU Commons. The ceremony will also be web cast live at www.cbu.ca/convocation.

Down in the dumps

CBRM facing $41M bill to close old landfills

Section: Front

By Chris Hayes,

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is facing a whopping new estimate of $41 million to close old landfills that have been sitting idle for more than 20 years.

CAO Jerry Ryan said Tuesday the regional municipality simply does not have the money to pay for the closures and that at least some of the dollars will have to come from other levels of government.

"If you are going to put those regulations in, at some point in my view, you have to be measuring ability to pay," he said. "You can't get blood out of stone. If they take us to court to say you are not adhering to the regulations, there has to be a solution."

Former landfills that must be properly closed include: Woodbine in Caribou Marsh, sites on Tobin Road, Butt Street, Shore Road, Vickers Lane and Church Street in Sydney Mines, North Sydney landfill, the regional municipality's part of a Louisbourg landfill and former sites for Dominion and New Waterford.

Permits acquired by the regional municipality from the province when they opened the landfills include requirements for closure.

The landfills date back to the days before the opening of an regional incinerator to burn garbage in 1987 that was subsequently closed when the regional municipality opted to ship its garbage to a second-generation landfill in Guysborough County.

Engineering consultants ADI Ltd. said in a preliminary 2001 report the former landfills were used for disposal of municipal solid waste and construction debris although some were also used by Devco to dispose of mine waste.

The regional municipality was estimating the cost of former landfill closure at $36.3 million during budget talks a year ago but solid waste manager Donnie Burke put the estimate at $41 million during an interview Tuesday.

The closure cost will be highest for Woodbine, where the estimate is $24 million, followed by $14 million for the former New Waterford landfill, he said.

Landfill closure typically requires a waterproof cap and collection and treatment of leachate water and methane gas.

Burke said the regional municipality's plans for now include further study of the sites including an effort to quantify the materials to see what engineering work will be required to bring them to a fully closed condition.

The province is only asking for a cleanup plan at this time, he said.

Burke said the former landfills appear to be stablized although that could change once they are disturbed.

Ryan said projects like sewage treatment have been cost shared with the federal, provincial and municipal government picking up a third of the cost.

The regional municipality, which has been borrowing for capital improvements, needs a better funded provincial-municipal equalization program to cover its share of this kind of costs, he said.

Accounting practices followed by the provincial government require the regional municipality to set up a reserve fund to cover the closures which it hasn't been able to do either, he said.

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 6:17 PM

Port Hawkesbury keeps pulling its weight

Port has largest tonnage increase in Canada, passing Saint John, N.B. for third
In 2005, a year of record-breaking freight handled by ports nationally, the port here saw the largest tonnage increase in Canada, according to a new Statistics Canada report.Port Hawkesbury, surpassed Saint John, N.B. for third place on the list of the country's top 20 ports. It went from handling almost 24 million tonnes of cargo in 2004 to 30.7 million tonnes in 2005, a 27.9 per cent increase, or 6.7 million tonnes. The report said that the jump was mainly due to increased international shipments of crude petroleum.

Wow, whats happened down there ? Which business the port has been able to attract to increase tonnage that way ?

It's always been a very active port. An ice-free harbour was created on that side of the strait when the causeway was built in the 50's. It's ability to attract business is mostly related to that. The port is also directly served by railway, thus allowing it to reach Western Canada and US markets relatively easily despite the lack of a twinned highway.

Edit: gotta run out for a bit. I'll post the rest of the updates later today.

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 8:20 PM

Cape Breton Post

Federal Gypsum to add second shift to Point Tupper plant

Section: Business

Column: Briefly

Federal Gypsum has added a second shift to its plant after being in dire straits at the start of the year.

The new shift, set to start next week, will transform the Point Tupper plant into a 24-hour operation for three days week. The company now has 50 employees, up from 32 before the plan was implemented in February.

Federal Gypsum was burdened with liabilities of $32.2 million and had to deal with 99 creditors. The payment plan, approved by creditors, will see $14.5 million from a variety of government agencies be paid back over a five-year period, and a quarter of all money owed funneled back to the remaining creditors over the same period.

In February, the company's type X fire-rated gypsum wallboard became available.

The product, with the trade name PlasterRock X, is used in commercial and residential construction where applications require compliance with fire codes. The product was required to pass stringent fire tests by Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada in late 2007.

MP asks for more funding for summer jobs program

Section: Cape Breton

Column: Briefly

Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking has asked Human Resources and Social Development Minister Monte Solberg to increase funding for the Canada Summer Jobs program.

This year 254 projects and 350 jobs have been approved totalling $736,000.

"I am pleased with the way Service Canada handled the program this year," said Eyking. "Unfortunately some small businesses were not approved and many non-profits are short of what they asked for. I wrote the minister recently asking that funding be increased and that any nationwide slippage be diverted to areas of higher unemployment."

Eyking says Service Canada spent a great deal of time explaining the program this year.

"They did a good job of telling people about the program," said Eyking. "That means that there was higher uptake so I hope the minister will be able to respond favourably to my request. Last year the program was under-funded initially leaving many non-profits out in the cold. They restored funding after great pressure by business and community groups."

CBRM landfill bill may be a lot less than $41M

Section: Front

By Chris Hayes,

For $41 million, Donnie Burke probably hopes he is wrong.

Burke, the solid waste manager for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, estimated in a story in Wednesday's Cape Breton Post it will cost $41 million to close old landfills throughout the municipality that have been sitting idle for more than 20 years.

However, a provincial Environment Department spokesperson called the Post to say the municipality would not have to follow the closure procedures anticipated by Burke for former landfills like those in the municipality that were shut down before 1995.

Spokesperson Janet Lynn McNeil said the Environment Department was setting up a meeting with officials in the municipality to clarify its responsibilities for the former landfills.

"If they would be willing to take away these requirements, we would be more than happy," said Burke, adding with a laugh, "If I can save the municipality $41 million, I figure if I got one per cent of that as a bonus, I'd be a happy guy."

The former landfills date back to the days before the opening of an regional incinerator to burn garbage in 1987. The incinerator was subsequently closed when the municipality opted to ship its garbage to a second-generation landfill in Guysborough County.

Burke based his $41-million estimate on the closure requirements of the former Sydney landfill. He referred to letters Wednesday from the province in the 1990s that set out the same set of requirements for closure at the other former landfills.

"Our understanding is we close these former landfills to a standard similar to that used on the former city of Sydney landfill. That would be a cap, leachate collection, methane collection and monitoring and treatment.

"That's where the $41 million estimate came from."

McNeil said first generation landfills closed before 1995 require ongoing water testing and soil monitoring to ensure there is no negative impact on the environment.

A municipality would be required to look at additional measures if the tests showed a negative impact on the environment, she said.

A cap and leachate collection and treatment would only be required for first generation landfills operating after 1995 when the province introduced a new solid waste management strategy, she said.

"This is what's going on in every municipality in Nova Scotia."

CAO Jerry Ryan said in Wednesday's story the regional municipality simply does not have the money to pay for the closures.

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 8:45 PM

Cape Breton Post

Government announces ecoFreight funding for Cape Breton railway company

Section: Business

The federal government has announced a $72,000 grant for the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway to help the company reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Central Nova MP Peter MacKay announced the grant, under the Freight Technology Incentives program, Tuesday. The funding initiative falls under Transport Canada's ecoFreight program, which helps transport companies acquire new technology that benefits the environment.

"The ecoFREIGHT program aims to reduce the environmental and health effects of freight transportation through the use of technology," said MacKay. "Nova Scotians will see real results through cleaner air."

Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway will receive a grant of up to $72,146 towards the purchase of four diesel auxiliary power units, which allow locomotives to be shut down during extreme temperatures by keeping the engine oil warm and batteries charged to ensure a reliable engine start.

In addition, the units provide heating and cooling when the locomotive is not running, further reducing the need to idle the locomotives generally.

"The result is lower emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants," said Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "It demonstrates our government's strong commitment to the environment and our support for the sector in today's highly competitive market."

Projects funded under both these programs are eligible for a contribution of 50 per cent of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $500,000, and must be implemented within a two-year period. Remaining costs must be contributed by funding recipients and their partners.

Dingwall's getting in on the action
CBRM should rely on negotiations not legal action, says former MP

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes,

David Dingwall is warning against relying on legal action to solve the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's differences with the provincial government.

Dingwall, who has joined a Sydney law firm now that his days as a federal cabinet minister and bureaucrat are over, said Thursday an appeal of last month's Supreme Court of Nova Scotia ruling throwing out the municipality's legal action would obstruct any chance of negotiations.

"The province will do the following: 'I'm sorry. We can't do anything because the matter is before the courts,'" Dingwall told a Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting.

Dingwall said in an interview later the issues facing the regional municipality and provincial government are policy issues that belong at the negotiating table.

"There is a variety of ways you can come at that: you have the three political parties, you have media, you have lobbying efforts, you have interest groups that can all put pressure particularly in a minority situation."

There are other tools in the toolbox for resolving disputes, including mediation and arbitration, he added.

Last month, Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice John D. Murphy ruled against the CBRM's key argument that Section 36 of the Canadian Constitution is amenable to adjudication by a court.

The municipality argued the Nova Scotia government wasn't meeting its commitments under Section 36 to promote equal opportunities, further economic development to address disparity and provide for comparable services.

Council will meet later this month to consider an appeal of the ruling and to also consider whether that question should go to the people in a plebiscite.

Local residents appear to believe the legal action is about getting $20 million a year backdated to 1995, the year the regional municipality was created, but the remedy sought by the regional municipality was a legal declaration, Dingwall said.

"Even if they had of won in the Supreme Court, they only would have won a legal declaration. No money, not a cent," he said.

Dingwall also questioned whether the legal declaration sought by the municipality would give it leverage to negotiate with the provincial government.

He said residents of the CBRM had a kind of plebiscite during the last election and it's up to council to make the decisions.

Following the speech, Dingwall was asked if he is interested in running for mayor, to which he replied, "No, not at all."

The chamber has invited council and area MLAs to a meeting to try to negotiate a resolution of the disputes that gave rise to the legal action.

Dingwall was asked in an interview how he feels about criticism of the severance package he received after leaving the Royal Canadian Mint in 2005 and expenses charged to his office while he was its president.

"Old news is old news," he said. "You just have to get up off the floor and do your best and keep moving forward and try to deal with the issues."

Dingwall was attacked by opposition Conservatives over the $417,780 severance but cleared by an independent auditor who concluded he was entitled to his entitlements, as he so famously told a parliamentary committee.

An independent review found only minor discrepancies in his expenses.

Carbon plan could unlock 'treasure chest'

Devco head: Sydney coal field could contain commercial quantities of methane

Section: Front

By Chris Hayes,

The Cape Breton Development Corporation says a carbon capture and storage research project in Nova Scotia may help unlock a "treasure chest" of commercial methane gas in the Sydney coal field.

Ross McCurdy, president and CEO of Devco, said Cape Breton has the best potential for carbon dioxide capture and storage in the province because of the enormous size of the coal field and presence of Nova Scotia Power plants which produce the greenhouse gases.

Carbon dioxide storage in coal can release commercial quantities of methane gas, McCurdy noted.

"For every molecule of carbon dioxide you introduce, you actually displace two molecules of methane," he said. "I think you are going to see tremendous interest in the natural gas capability for the Sydney coal field in the upcoming years."

"It's a treasure chest off there, and I think this potentially gives us a chance to get at the treasure chest in a totally different manner than we have ever experienced before."

Last month, the federal and provincial governments announced $5 million in funding for the research project which looks into trapping and storing carbon dioxide emissions before they escape into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Nova Scotia's Carbon Storage Research Consortium, a group which includes the provincial Energy Department, Nova Scotia Power and Dalhousie University, has identified northern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton as a promising area of the province to find the deep undisturbed coal beds or saline aquifers which are the best geological conditions to store the carbon dioxide.

The consortium's research will also be guided by proximity to carbon-dioxide producing Nova Scotia power plants like those at Lingan, Point Aconi and Point Tupper in Cape Breton and Trenton in northern Nova Scotia.

Consortium director Andrew Henry was cautious about the likelihood of focusing on any area of the province this early in the 12-year research project, however, saying it would be very premature to start talking about drilling at Lingan or Point Aconi

Collin Harker, a consultant working with Devco, noted there are a number of places in the world where coal is being gasified underground, mostly using a combustion process.

Harker suggested the energy potential of the Sydney coal fields is on a scale similar to the Alberta oil sands if the methane gas can be captured and brought to market.

He considered it impossible to predict when carbon capture and store producing methane gas might actually be occurring in Cape Breton.

The consortium plans a 12-year research project, he noted.

"I don't see why it would be happening earlier than that under these auspices," Harker said.

Coal, which forms a molecular bond with carbon dixoide, is a better storage medium than a saline aquifer, Harker said.

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 9:32 PM

Since the April Unemployment numbers (unadjusted) came out today, here's how Cape Breton Economic Region is faring (CBRM 105,928; Victoria County 7,594; Richmond County 9,740; and Inverness County 19,036 make up Cape Breton ER)

I'm only comparing it to Nova Scotia as a whole this time. If I was on my own computer, I'd do up a spreadsheet with each ER in NS, but I'm not and this laptop only has an unregistered spreadsheet which the activation period is up, so it's locked. I'm also only showing the differences from April 07 to April 08 for that same reason. :(

Parentheses is % growth except with the rates where it's the unadjusted April 2008 rate.

Nova Scotia
Pop >15 --------------> +3,500 (+0.46%)
Labour Force ---------> +1,100 (+0.23%)
Employment-----------> +1,900 (+0.44%)
Unemployment---------> -800 (-1.9%)
Participation Rate------> -0.2 (62.5%)
Unemployment Rate----> -0.2 (8.6%)
Employment Rate ------> n/c (57.2%)

Cape Breton ER
Pop >15 --------------> -700 (-0.60%)
Labour Force ---------> +2,200 (+3.5%)
Employment-----------> +2,300 (+4.4%)
Unemployment---------> -200 (-2.0%)
Participation Rate------> +2.2 (55.8%)
Unemployment Rate----> -0.8 (15.2%)
Employment Rate ------> +2.2 (47.3%)

Still moving in the right direction. :cheers:

Smevo

May 9, 2008, 10:04 PM

And some quick housing information for the first quarter (historically slowest quarter for CBRM), compared to first quarter 2007.

Housing starts up 86.7%
Completions up 357.1%
Absorbed Single-Detached Units up 271.4%
Median and Average price was withheld in 2007
Median Price of Absorbed unit up 11.4% since 2006
Average Price of Absorbed unit up 4.6% since 2006

:cheers:

Hopefully everything will be back to normal soon, and I can actually give slightly more detailed comparisons on this stuff.

Smevo

May 11, 2008, 5:33 AM

Cape Breton Post

Wes Stubbert's been after the mayor for a while, I wouldn't be surprised to see his name pop on the mayor candidate's list at the last minute, or at least in the next election after this. His quote isn't surprising.
Debate over CBRM's legal action far from over

Section: Cape Breton

By Doug MacKenzie, Cape Breton Post

Yes or no - should the CBRM proceed with its legal action against the province, if necessary to the Supreme Court of Canada?

Citizens of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality may have the chance to answer that question if council votes in favour of a plebiscite to be conducted at the same time as the 2008 municipal election.

Council will hold a special meeting May 23 to address the issue and to review the previous court decision against the CBRM legal action.

A Nova Scotia Supreme Court justice tossed out the municipality's legal case against the province, which accused the provincial government of chronically underfunding the municipality by millions of dollars through a complex equalization formula.

"There were a number of councillors and residents and myself as well who thought this was such an important issue in terms of the region that it was important that the public have an opportunity to control their own destiny," said Mayor John Morgan, who has the support of several councillors.

"The people should have the opportunity to be heard," said Jim MacLeod, councillor for District 7. "I've heard the chamber of commerce saying there is no need of it, and a few councillors saying there is no need of it - then allow us to go to the public and find out if there is a need and see what the people believe."

MacLeod would also like to see more support for Morgan and the lawsuit from other politicians.

"It's about time that those who are spending so much time working against the municipality, should start working with the municipality. Our provincial politicians and our federal politicians should stand up and stop hating the little fella, because they hate John Morgan, because he's not in anybody's pocket."

Wes Stubbert, councillor for District 16, disagrees with MacLeod.

"The problem with the resolution is we don't know the facts of it," said Stubbert. "I read the 40-page report of Judge (John D.) Murphy from cover to cover and he clearly states that there is no case here. We're wasting our time and money because it's not a legal matter, it's a political matter and I think anybody with a grain of common sense realizes that, except our mayor.

"I don't believe in plebiscites in that regard because we're elected to make decisions. Anyone can make the easy ones."

The boldfaced section is why I like MacLoed. He'll always say "if you're so sure people don't want it, why not let us officially ask them". What's very telling is that those against an appeal are afraid of a plebiscite as well. Not saying that an appeal will be won, but there are some councillors staking their reputation on the failure of the lawsuit, so they're afraid of any minute chance it may succeed.

Richmond wants municipalities to follow its recycling policies

Section: Cape Breton

By Nancy King, Cape Breton Post

The warden of Richmond County thinks more municipalities should take its lead in requiring waste to be placed in clear trash bags.

Richmond was the first municipality to make that move and since that time, 30 others have followed suit.

It was recently named region of the year by the Resource Recovery Fund Board's annual Mobius awards, which recognizes environmental achievements and leaders in waste reduction. Provincial solid waste disposal data for 2006-07 showed that Richmond has the province's highest diversion rate at 51 per cent.

Mandating the use of clear bags and the work done by the county's public works department in educational efforts were important factors, Warden John Boudreau said, adding the biggest factor was the willingness of county residents to take waste reduction efforts seriously.

"Our good citizens have chosen in large, large part, I would say somewhere in the area of 93-95 per cent of citizens, have chosen to do it properly, to recycle properly to compost, to do the things that are necessary so that we are not burying the toxins we used to," he said. "What really makes it difficult is that other communities are not doing it properly, other communities are still using coloured bags, are still permitting things to be buried that oughtn't to be buried."

The reluctance of some other municipalities to move in that direction can complicate things for those that do, Boudreau said, because as county residents visit other municipalities or hear about their less stringent regulations, they may ask why they are expected to hold to a higher standard.

Some municipalities have cited privacy concerns as a factor behind not moving to clear garbage bags, but that's an argument that Boudreau doesn't buy. He noted some regions that have introduced clear bags also allow homeowners who do have legitimate concerns to apply for municipally provided waste cans in which they can place their trash bags for curbside collection.

"Anybody who calls us and tells us they have privacy concerns, we're going to go and put a black can or container of some kind that they can put their garbage bag in," he said. "That's as private as if it was in a black bag."

The RRFB also noted the municipality hired a full-time backyard composting and recycling assistant who provides information about source separation of recyclable materials, delivers composters and helps residents learn how to use them.

Changes in way tenders assessed prompts Friday meeting at MTCC

Section: Cape Breton

By Doug MacKenzie, Cape Breton Post

Changes to a local economic development policy prompted a Friday meeting between the Cape Breton Partnership and the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency.

In a February gathering at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, Dan White, economic benefits and planning co-ordinator for the agency, explained the how the big package for tenders would work, with 85 per cent weighted toward cost effectiveness and 15 per cent focused on economic benefits for the community.

Also explained was the fact any bids with a price six per cent or more above the lowest compliant bid would be rejected immediately.

"The major concern is this new (six per cent upset clause) policy was put in place without consultative and collaborative approach with the various business stakeholders and the community," said Keith MacDonald, executive director of the Cape Breton Partnership. "It was a change in an approach which was felt to be very effective. When we originally developed the 15 per cent economic benefits piece we worked very closely with the project partners so we really dialogued quite a bit about how we can ensure that moving forward we can strengthen our communications between the tar ponds agency and various partners and how we can go about when policies are being developed, that before they are put in place, there can be some kind of discussion with the community on how that will affect the area as the project moves forward."

Alastair MacLeod, chairperson of the community liaison committee for the Sydney tar ponds and coke ovens cleanup, said Friday's meeting was necessary to address concerns of the local business community.

"Recently the local business community has expressed concern about the sort of lack, or decreasing amount, of consultation regarding the local economic benefits package," said MacLeod, who was pleased to be able to bring local contractors and government together. "We had a big discussion about what the parameters of the problem are and certain things were agreed at the end and the outcome of it is, there is going to be regular consultation between the business community and the government partners to discuss the local economic benefits package so that it is tailored to our needs here in Sydney and the tar ponds cleanup goes along well."

MacLeod doesn't expect the six per cent clause to cause any delays in the more than $100 million in contracts expected to be tendered in 2008.

"I think by increased communication, the good will we saw (Friday) around this table will help to solve these things. We all care deeply about the cleanup and we're going to work together."

I post this editorial simply because it relates to Owen Fitzgerald's assertion that the lawsuit is keeping business away. He also is posting comments on the CB Post website blaming the lawsuit (in part) for his own photography business failing (he also blames digital cameras and WalMart).
Debate picks up over legal case

Section: Comment

The stakeholder group loosely referred to as "the business community" has joined the debate over whether the Cape Breton Regional Municipality should appeal the April 23 Nova Scotia Supreme Court decision throwing out its constitutional legal action against the province. It's a debate that needs the active participation of all major players.

That debate over the last two weeks has been disappointing, with few on the opposing team daring to show their colours. At the CBC's public forum Monday evening at Membertou, only a couple of speakers out of 20 from the audience were evidently opposed to proceeding although there were certainly more of that mind who chose to sit on their hands. The attitude seems to be that there's no point trying to argue publicly against Mayor John Morgan's camp on this question when the result will be jeers and insults. If silence is the choice, though, no one can complain when the mayor runs off with the ball.

Challenging the mayor on this is not easy, however. He's thought about this a lot; his position is consistent and well articulated, and it strikes a deep populist chord. An effective challenge should be equally sophisticated, and so far no one has been quite up to the task.

David Dingwall, work-hardened to the blunt trauma of the political arena, staged his return to public life Thursday, after a controversial exit from the federal scene some two years ago, to take a stab at stating the arguments against carrying on the legal case. As is true for others who argue that CBRM's demands on the province should go to negotiation and not litigation, the former federal minister's case is undermined by the province's repeatedly expressed position that there is nothing fundamentally wrong in its financial relationship with CBRM.

Dingwall suggested to a breakfast meeting of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce that the province can cite the legal action, as long as it continues, as an excuse to do nothing. The problem with that is the province needs no such excuse at the moment. If the province did decide to look at deep fiscal reform, the legal action would indeed be an impediment but there is no hint of such an agenda coming forward. Dingwall's best point was that CBRM, in his view, has failed to use the full tool kit available to it in advancing its aims - including political parties, media, lobbying, interest groups, all within the context of a minority provincial government.

Morgan's critics always accuse him of ignoring diplomacy when in fact he and CBRM have done very well at the municipal level, winning support from the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities in October 2005 for the report A Question of Balance: An Assessment of the State of Local Government in Nova Scotia. That ambitious blueprint for a "principled" reform of the provincial-municipal relationship, if substantially implemented, might well have scuttled the legal case. The province rejected the report and the UNSM caved, accepting some incremental improvements as the best that could be done.

That was a good try on CBRM's part, but there is no evidence of a comparable strategically executed stalking higher up the political ladder, at the provincial and federal levels. There, so far as we've seen, it's been mostly acrimony, and Dingwall has pointedly taken note of the gap.

From all appearances the most likely course is that CBRM will proceed with the appeal, with or without a fall plebiscite on the question. The people seem to want it, and it's their dime. Opponents of the strategy therefore need to think of how to carry on while the case remains in process, and for that they should pay attention to Cape Breton University political scientist Tom Urbaniak. His idea of a "third way" assumes the case continues, even if he doesn't necessarily see that as a wise bet, while energy is refocused on other steps such as the creation of an economic plan and "money magnets" like a port authority.

Urbaniak's prescription may sound a bit academic and may not be doable in its specifics but the notion of working around the legal case rather than waging futile war against it should be taken seriously. What, after all, drives business opposition to the legal strategy? Is it the case per se, or is it that the case stands for what many business people don't like about the mayor's combative approach and Civic Centre emphasis on negatives about the region?

Chamber president Owen Fitzgerald was pressed this week by both the Cape Breton Post and CBC to back up his assertion that the region has been harmed by the legal case. Finally he conceded in a CBC Radio interview that "it's more of an atmosphere sort of a thing." The legal case, though certainly problematic if serious negotiation were a realistic prospect, is also symbolic of a deeper fissure between this municipal administration and groups in the community when all should be working in concert. Fix that fracture and disagreement over pursuing the legal case would matter a great deal less.

"His idea of a "third way" assumes the case continues, even if he doesn't necessarily see that as a wise bet,"

Just as a note, Urbaniak has come out publicly as supporting the lawsuit including at the election-related forum in Glace Bay.

"Chamber president Owen Fitzgerald was pressed this week by both the Cape Breton Post and CBC to back up his assertion that the region has been harmed by the legal case. Finally he conceded in a CBC Radio interview that "it's more of an atmosphere sort of a thing."

In other words, in context of the paragraph preceeding this one, it's not necessarily the lawsuit keeping some businesses away, but perhaps the "doom and gloom" scenarios being perpetuated by people like Morgan and Whalley.

Smevo

May 11, 2008, 7:11 AM

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Smevo

May 13, 2008, 6:20 AM

Cape Breton Post

Though some of this may seem a bit far-fetched, overall it's actually a well thought out commentary (for a change) on the situation.
While pursuing constitutional rights, region also needs to develop its Plan B

Section: Comment

By Dannie Hansen,

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality will be in debt $105 million by the end of this fiscal year and Mayor John Morgan states it does not make sense to start making a Plan B. The legal case against the province is all we need, he says.

Some believe we will get money if we win, when in fact CBRM did not ask for money; we would still have to fight for that. While I do believe there is good merit in this case, I do not believe that the judge dismissed it out of bias. I believe there would be nothing wrong with continuing with the next step to find out once and for all about the equalization question if we can afford to do it. This is Canada and we have a right to ask questions without being penalized.

In the meantime, municipal politicians must stop taking shots at the MLAs and MPs just to look good to the taxpayer.

Review the words of David Johnson, Cape Breton University professor, who recommends we research our next steps very carefully (Political Insights: It's Very Sad to See Case Tripped Up Without Ever Getting to Substance of the Issues, April 30). Regardless of what happens with the case, we still need a Plan B. It will take the most proactive leadership ever seen on this island to create such a plan and make it happen. The first step is for our municipal, provincial and federal representatives to form a committee, with four citizen members, that would deal with the top priorities in CBRM. These are what I see as our three priority clusters:

Alternative revenue generation

Instead of raising property taxes or depending on equalization completely, let's at least look at using government entitlements with a focused approach to realizing an economic plan. Lobby for 10- to 20-cent dollars; Kevin MacDonald, CBRM public works director, is an expert at this. Focus on entitlements that support innovation, infrastructure, transportation, information technology, resource development, sewer and water, and roads. Deposit funds in an account for these purposes, as suggested by MP Mark Eyking for roads.

Then look at CBRM's public works, planning and IT departments to be expand and contract-in some of the work. CBRM would review costs and spending, find out who is paying for what, and use new technology for a service-pay system (showing just how much rural and other residents pay and how little service rural people get for their money).

Senior governments could create an innovative tax credit. Agencies like Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority could end up with new missions. ECBC could support business development through tax credits, research and centres of excellence.

The federal citizenship office in Sydney could be expanded through decentralization, since the department is expanding to handle the backlog of 880,000 applications. CBCEDA could take over community development, tourism and resource.

The CBU political science department could have three senior students investigate (and receive a grade for it) what other areas with our population and size in North America and Europe are doing to find new revenues and stem out-migration. We could set up offices in Fort McMurray and Calgary to recruit contracts for goods that would be built in Cape Breton and shipped out, instead of always shipping out workers. If we build it, they will come back!

Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent here in the next 10 years at the tar ponds, Devco remediation, CBU, Nova Scotia Community College, Port of Sydney, Membertou, Donkin, CN Marine and other places: we must try to get more impact from this spending toward covering some of CBRM's costs as we did with other projects.

Sydney's downtown core

Live up to the motto CBRM adopted in 1995, Community of Communities. Ask people to accept that gains in downtown Sydney will benefit other communities, and not at their expense. No, I have not moved from the rural area; I just know we must develop a vibrant core and other areas of CBRM will benefit.

When we sell fish in China and Europe, the first thing they say is: "Are you in Halifax?" I tell customers to learn about Sydney on the Internet: our commerce, airport, customs, culture, government and social life. It never fails. They call back and we talk business.

That tells me it's time to build a strong centre of commerce in Sydney for CBRM. I'd rather see Cape Bretoners at work in the Sydney area than in Alberta.

Let's start with building a clear roof from the new building that replaces the Vogue to the new YMCA, closing off that block on Charlotte Street to allow for sidewalk cafes for arts and evening entertainment, as well as a site for a farmers' market on weekends and the like. Investors could to be recruited to build new accommodations there.

Move the tar ponds cleanup headquarters and lab into an environmental centre of excellence in the downtown. Build indoor parking behind Dooley's and the Capri Club. Consider a theme park enclosed in glass like Crystal Palace in Moncton.

CBRM could build a centre of excellence for innovation in the middle of Sydney to explore ways to add value and innovation to our every move.

New infrastructure

The harbour has excellent leadership, and the ports plan must proceed. Water and sewage treatment projects need to be funded by provincial and federal governments because municipalities simply cannot afford them otherwise.

Rural roads need real focus, as with ports, and the link between Gabarus and Louisbourg is very important. There needs to be a Cape Breton-wide, modern communications plan of action funded as well by the federal government. The global economy requires this be done now.

This will take a lot of work, co-operation and brain power. Keep in mind that there is a large, experienced and educated, retired workforce available to help. If I learned anything as a municipal councillor, it's that people will help; you just need to ask.

A Community of Communities with proactive leadership and public involvement would be a better place to live. It would be a lot less frightening than the talk I've heard lately from a councillor who says we are going to die and a mayor who implies our supreme court judges make political judgments.

Former regional municipal councillor Dannie Hansen lives in Mira.

I find the clear roof and theme park ideas a little too whacky, and I would not like a theme park downtown one bit (put it a bit outside, perhaps Harbourside, SPAR Powercenter, adjacent/near Mayflower Mall for a few suggestions with good transportation infrastructure and not impeding future more urban development in the downtown). Outside of that, he makes some good points.

Smevo

May 13, 2008, 6:38 AM

Cape Breton Post

We found out what the mystery development is for the corner of George Street and Falmouth (the one Davey Boy Smith mentioned earlier).
http://www.capebretonpost.com/photos/TheCapeBretonPost/stories/lawtonsuction.jpg (http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=134079&sc=152)
Photographer: Steve Wadden for Cape Breton Post
Crews from Yates Trucking and Excavating work on clearing the land on the corner of George and Falmouth streets in Sydney, Monday. The property will be the site of a new two-storey building where Lawtons Drugs store in Sydney will be relocating after construction is finished.

Lawtons Drugs to relocate to new outlet in downtown Sydney

By Chris Hayes
Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — Lawtons Drugs store in Sydney is moving into a new building that will be constructed at a downtown location.
Jill Thomas-Myrick, of parent company Sobeys Atlantic, confirmed Monday Lawtons will relocate from its current location on George Street into the new building which, including a parking lot, will be on a large site bordered by Bentinck, Falmouth and George streets.
Earth-moving equipment was working at the site Monday.
Lawtons will lease part of the building, Thomas-Myrick said.
Thomas-Myrick declined for competitive reasons to provide any other details of the company’s plans for the new Lawtons Drugs.
“What I can confirm for you is we will be relocating from our current location. It will be a bigger store. Obviously we are responding to customer needs and demands in the marketplace and will be enhancing the overall offering.”
Developers Terry Shannon and Janine Shannon, who are based in Sydney River, are constructing the new two-storey building.
Terry Shannon declined to give any details about the cost or other potential tenants for the building Monday.
A former paint store on the George Street side of the block will be demolished to make room for parking.
Lawtons has drug stores throughout Atlantic Canada including Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford and St. Peter’s.

http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/109418530.jpg
Created by myself in Google Maps.
Two of the buildings in the highlighted area have already burned down, the third is vacant and planned to be demolished for this project.

Here's the rest of the stories from Tuesday...
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Future of province's natural resources to be debated

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes,

Cape Breton residents are being encouraged to share their ideas about the future of the province's natural resources at a series of meetings in May and June.

The sessions are part of a plan by the province's Natural Resources Department to develop a new strategy for forests, minerals, parks and biodiversity - the four areas people will be asked to focus on, said Rita Fraser, a spokesperson for the Voluntary Planning Natural Resources Citizen Engagement Committee, which is holding the series of meetings.

"We are asking Nova Scotians to think long-term about what they would like to see for the future of those four areas," she said. "On this first phase, we are (asking) Nova Scotians to look to the future and think about what is important to you in one or all of those areas and comment accordingly."

Fraser noted Voluntary Planning has posted a conversation starter on its website (http://vp.gov.ns.ca/) with some broad questions to help people prepare for the sessions.

A complete list of meetings around the province and documents for submitting written comments are also on Voluntary Planning's website.

"We expect we are going to hear everything from the very broad 'yes we want to preserve the forests for both sustainable jobs and recreation,' we are going to hear that. And we will hear about current issues as well," she said.

Last year, Natural Resources announced plans to develop a broad management strategy to answer the sweeping question of how the province should make the best use of its natural resources including the four key areas of forests, minerals, parks and biodiversity.

The plan was to include the public consultations being held by Voluntary Planning which will report to an external, impartial panel of independent experts which will conduct more detailed analysis.

Natural Resources says it will write the new strategy using inputs from the community meetings and independent panel of experts.

At the meetings, participants will be encouraged to express their ideas in small- and large-group conversations, said Voluntary Planning.

The meeting in Cheticamp will be held in French.

chayes@cbpost.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

schedule

Cape Breton residents are being invited to share their ideas about the future of the province's natural resources at a series of meetings. Meetings will be held:
Today, Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, 606 Reeves St.
May 20, Inverness County Centre for the Arts, 16080 Highway 19
May 21, the Gaelic College, 51779 Cabot Trail
May 27, Centre Acadien, 35 Baron Rd., Cheticamp
May 28, St. Peter's and Area Lion's Club, 82 Lion's Ave.
June 4, Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, 50 Maillard St.

I had a feeling Urbaniak would clarify his position...here it is.
CBRM should sue and sow, not sue and wait

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

Saturday's editorial on the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's lawsuit (Debate Picks Up Over Legal Case) makes compelling arguments, but I wish to provide clarification on my proposed Third Way.

My support for the lawsuit is more than grudging. I believe we need clarification from the courts on the scope of governments' constitutional obligations to address regional inequalities.

Ideally, the judicial guidance would take account not only of CBRM's request for an interpretation of Section 36 (the equalization section) of the Constitution Act, 1982. There could also be reference to Section 6 (mobility rights), including possibly an implied right to make a living in one's own region, and to Section 15 (equality rights), including possibly an implied prohibition of discrimination based on one's region of residence.

But our constitutional arguments, no matter how articulate and ingenious, will not in themselves be our salvation. Thus far our approach, for the most part, has been to sue and wait - and to wait years as the case proceeds through the system. Our approach should have been, and it could still be, to sue and sow. We can fight and we can create at the same time. Seasoned activists will attest to that.

And we must create. If the province suddenly were to decide to invest significantly more funds here, we would not be ready with a "treatment plan" for our communities.

The Third Way would tap into the wisdom and experience of our citizens. CBRM would set up "money magnets," not-for-profit, quality-of-life corporations. The citizen volunteers on the new boards would develop the financing and staffing plans, and try to attract federal and provincial seed funding or pilot project funding. Some of CBRM's basic infrastructure needs, such as road and water upgrades, could be incorporated into those plans.

A port authority (with real authority) would be one money magnet. A corporation to position CBRM as an international capital for environmental remediation research would be another. A corporation to develop downtown Glace Bay as an artists' colony could be yet another, along with a student housing corporation to encourage off-island students to settle in downtowns.

Meanwhile, a corporation could develop Local Economy Trading Systems (LETS) to promote self-sufficient rural communities. A new CBRM community foundation could be a magnet for philanthropic donations from current or former residents who wish to leave a local legacy by keeping up our parks, beaches, trails and vistas.

Even out-migrants could be money magnets. We ought to appoint volunteer municipal agents-general in every city in the world in which former CBRM residents have settled. They would use their new official title to make formal connections for us.

The Third Way would include incremental governance reform. For example, CBRM and other municipalities should propose that the federal government hold elections for the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation board. Such a change would not require a constitutional amendment but we would then have the nucleus for an increasingly autonomous regional assembly.

The problem with the sue-and-wait approach, as opposed to sue and sow, is that even if we win an outright victory several years hence, it will still be left to Halifax and Ottawa to set our priorities for funding and economic development.

Tom Urbaniak, PhD

Department of Political Science,

Cape Breton University

Mostly he's reiterating what he said at the Glace Bay forum, but that speech only was published in its audio form and only by the Glace Bay Gleaner.

Devco property no longer for sale: ECBC

Section: Glace Bay/New Waterford

By Sharon Montgomery,

A group of residents will be asking their MP to look into a tender process initiated by Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. in which they were involved.

Several months ago ECBC issued a tender notice for a piece of former Devco land near the Nova Scotia power station. A group of local residents submitted a bid, hoping to secure the land and maintain it as a green space.

Rob Tonary, a spokesperson for the group of residents, said ECBC officials recently informed him the land is no longer for sale.

"We didn't get any explanation or anything. They told us a developer who had a bid in is not getting the property either, which is somewhat good news.

"The main thing is we don't want to see the trees there come down."

However Tonary said the group is not happy with the tendering process in which they were involved.

"We will be asking (Sydney-Victoria MP) Mark Eyking to look into the whole process and to find out why our tender was not accepted."

Eyking has toured the land with members of the group.

Tonary said he has been told if ECBC decides in the future to sell the land, the group will be contacted.

"Who is to say someday we won't have to go through this whole process again?"

The group of New Waterford residents submitted a bid to purchase 74 acres of former Devco property which borders their properties in the MacLellan Drive area.

The residents are worried the area will be strip mined. As well the residents say the trees act as a buffer zone between an ash pile at the power plant and their homes.

There is a memorandum of understanding between Devco and Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. which has ECBC selling lots of Devco land. ECBC also has a property manager who oversees all of the former Devco properties.

D.A. Landry, spokesperson for ECBC, confirmed it has been decided not to sell the property.

"People who have placed offers and bids were notified by phone and will receive a followup letter."

Landry said ECBC is an economic development agency and bidders were asked for viable economic development plans for this property.

"When we took all this into consideration - including feedback from the community - we determined the sale wouldn't generate the economic development impact we were looking for."

He said there are no immediate plans to re-offer the land for sale.

Public invited to open house tonight on cleanup work at former Princess colliery

Section: Northside/Victoria

Column: Briefly

Public Works and Government Services Canada is inviting the public to an open house tonight to discuss ongoing activities associated with the cleanup work taking place at the former Princess colliery site.

The Cape Breton Development Corp. has asked PWGSC to manage a number of projects on its behalf as part of its site closure program, including the former Princess site.

As part of this work, PWGSC has been preparing the site for the final cleanup activities and is prepared to share its plans and to hear thoughts from residents as work continues to move forward.

Anyone interested in learning more about this project, is invited to attend a community open house at the John J. Nugent Firemen's Centre (Sydney Mines fire hall), 6-9 p.m., tonight.

For additional information about the project, contact Eric Parsons, Public Works and Government Services Canada, 902-564-2825.

It's going to be an active news day tomorrow, too, but since there's no relevant (to this thread) photos on the site, I'll wait until the full issue is available in the subscribers section. :cheers:

ErickMontreal

May 15, 2008, 8:13 PM

Sydney chamber eager for $200M shipping terminal

A new $200-million container terminal is in the works for Sydney harbour, a development the business community says will redefine the local economy.

The development is a joint venture with Nova Scotia-based Laurentian Energy Corp. and Galaxy SARL of France, a transportation infrastructure equity fund.

The plan calls for a two-berth container facility with a yearly capacity of 750,000 tonnes, in order to accommodate the world's largest ships. It would go on the west side of the harbour's south arm at Sydport.

Corinne Namblard, CEO of Galaxy, which has invested in ports in Europe and Australia, said Sydney is ideally situated to capture a share of the world's growing shipping traffic.

"This particular project out on the eastern seaboard was best capable of addressing some of the issues related to the port industry today," she said.

Investors say the project could create as many as 3,000 new jobs.

The development would certainly transform the economy, said Owen Fitzgerald, chair of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce.

"There's been a huge amount of community co-operation in ensuring this happens," he said. "This redefines our whole economy. This is a new course for our harbour and a new course for the community,"

Plan calls for dredging of harbour

While investors say funding for the project will come from the private sector, they are looking to government for up to $30 million to dredge the channel into the harbour so it's deep enough for the larger ships.

Laurentian Energy CEO Jim Wooder wouldn't speculate on what would happen if either the funding or approval for the dredging doesn't come through.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Wooder said. "But we feel we've got a pretty robust case to at least make the case and solicit the support."

In fact, dredging Sydney harbour is included in the Nova Scotia government's $300-million wish list to turn the province into a gateway for international cargo.

An environmental assessment of the project is underway. If all goes according to plan, dredging will start next fall and the container terminal will open in late 2010.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2008/05/15/sydney-terminal.html

Davey Boy Smith

May 15, 2008, 8:15 PM

Laurentian announces partnership for $200 million terminal Breaking News print this article
BY NANCY KING
The Cape Breton Post

Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY - Laurentian Energy announced a partnership with a Paris-based transportation infrastructure equity fund Thursday to develop a $200 million container terminal at the ports of Sydney.
The manufacturing and commercial property management group will now work with Galaxy SARL to design and construct the terminal, which would be constructed on the west side of the harbour’s south arm at Sydport, and select an operator.
“This is my job, this is what we do, we invest in infrastructure projects worldwide,” said Corinne Namblard, Galaxy fund founder and CEO. “We will raise ourselves the funding and we will commit the necessary level of equity.”
Ports should be seen as a piece of a supply chain, she said, and Galaxy works with others interested in becoming partners in that supply chain. She noted her firm funds projects into the billion dollar range, and called the Sydney project well within its scope.
In looking to develop the terminal, Laurentian knew that at some point it would need a partner that would bring more than money and understand how to operate in this community, CEO Jim Wooder said.
“Galaxy brings to us absolutely everything that is required to take this project from this point forward to fruition,” he said.
While a $200 million price tag has been attached to the project, Wooder said they believe it could actually be built for less than that.
“We benchmarked that against other greenfield sites that been constructed in recent memory and this project has no rivals in North America,” he said.
The two-berth container facility would have an annual through-put capacity of 750,000 20-foot equivalent containers (TEUs). That compares with a capacity at Halifax of about 1.2 million TEUs and 1.5 million TEUs for the Melford project currently in development.
In operation, the terminal is estimated to create about 1,200-1,500 direct jobs and a total of up to 3,500 positions once indirect and induced jobs are considered.
Dredging of the harbour’s outer channel to a depth of 17 metres, which is currently the subject of an environmental assessment, would be required for the terminal to proceed. That is expected to cost $30 million. The assessment is expected to be completed in January and, if approved, dredging would begin in fall, 2009. The terminal would be expected to start operating in the second half of 2010.
Laurentian and Galaxy are working together to secure financing for the dredging, and Namblard said they will look to government gateway programs for possible assistance for that component, although there will be private funding as well.
The environmental assessment project description for the terminal was filed with regulatory authorities last month.
“You can’t build these things sequentially and hope to be to market in an appropriate period of time, so we will get into design engineering, selection of design build contractors, selection of terminal operators, all in parallel,” Wooder said.
“There is a window of opportunity ... there is a timeline when these superships are coming in to the market and we’ve got to be ready,” Namblard said.
The harbour dredging will also open up potential bulk cargo opportunities for the port, Wooder said, such as coal shipments if the Donkin mine reopens, and with other players such as Nova Scotia Power.
The terminal would be capable of dealing with vessels with about 8,500 TEUs capacity. There are few ports on the eastern seaboard currently capable of handling those ships, he added.
“They will be an attention-grabber when they come through the access channel,” Wooder said.
Rather than dumping the dredged material at sea, the project would see the sediment used as fill in the construction of the container terminal.
Wooder said the opportunity facing Sydney is driven by vessel size and cost and efficiency. Having a greenfield site will allow them to develop ship to rail efficiency that would set Sydney up as a low cost service provider, he added.
One of Sydport’s advantages is the ready access to rail, Namblard said.
“This is a foundation project that will help secure the restructuring of the economy here for a very long time,” Wooder said. “It’s not something that we’re kind of superimposing into Sydney. It’s relying on the most natural of assets, it’s relying on development of something that gave Sydney a reason to exist in the first place.”
Galaxy operates seven ports in Australia, and is looking at projects in Europe and the U.S.
nking@cbpost.com

Smevo

May 16, 2008, 4:15 AM

^Thanks for the updates guys. Two words I like...private money. Using the dredged material for fill for the site itself only makes sense...but is something I didn't think about earlier. Second half of 2010 seems optimistic to me, but I hope they're right. :cheers:

Smevo

May 16, 2008, 4:52 AM

Cape Breton Post

Cruise season officially underway with the arrival of first vessel on the Sydney waterfront

Section: Arts/Entertainment

By Kiersten Johnston, Special to the Cape Breton Post

There are many signs of summer's impending arrival in Sydney. The buds unfurling on trees, people out basking in the warmer temperatures, flowers blooming, children enjoying the many playgrounds in the city, skateboarders out in droves, the colourful fountains coming to life in Wentworth Park and the magnificent cruise ships docked at the marine terminal.

"Our 2007 season was very comparable to our 2006 season, so we were happy with our numbers, we had roughly 31 calls and upwards of 42,000 passengers.

In 2008, we have an 88 per cent increase in passenger counts, there are 51 calls due this season."

It turns out that the banner year for cruise ships here in Sydney was 2004. What was the reason for the huge turnout? 9/11.

"2004 was our banner year, as we knew it would be, it was a reaction to September 11th.

The cruise lines deployed their ships to this region as a reaction to tragic events of 9/11, they had to redeem themselves after that catastrophe, and they needed to fill the ships again. They really needed to restructure themselves."

The biggest customer here in Sydney is the Holland America lines; this year there is cause to celebrate that.

"The news this season is that Holland-America, our best customer, is bringing in a second vessel to the port, the Eurodam. The season started on May 14th and goes right through till the end of October.

This year we will have calls in July and August which is contrary to most summers, usually we have a ship come in May and June and then she repositions herself in another destination and we have no calls in July and maybe two in August. September and October is extremely busy, we are booked back to back."

"In fact," says MacNeil, "Holland-America, in its brochures for passengers, describes Sydney as a location where there is a wealth of things to do and see.

They compare us to other ports on the Canada, New England itinerary, and they say Sydney is far too often overlooked."

"Strategies are being developed that will see improvements in training the travel agents, who make the bookings, to show that we really do have fantastic summer product here. With that happening, we will have better numbers than ever before in 2008."

MacNeil says that when you get the cruise representatives down on familiarization tours, they all walk away very well educated on what Cape Breton has to offer and they are all very pleased with our versatility and the amount of excursions available to passengers.

"The passengers are elated with all that is offered in excursions," Bernadette says with pride, "they have so many choices.

With Destination Cape Breton located right in the pavilion, they have a wealth of information available to them.

We have received glowing feedback from the passengers who have returned from day trips to the Fortress of Louisbourg.

But the community does have to work extra hard to impress those who do not take organized shore excursions, those who walk around independently."

"Our main objective is to entice the cruise passengers to return as land tourists, to show them that a mere eight hours in not nearly enough time to explore this beautiful island."

"We may not be a marquee port like Halifax and Quebec, but we're very proud that the passengers say that Sydney exceeds their expectations."

The merchants in the downtown area look forward to welcoming the passengers each year, as do the many tourist facilities here on the island.

They have become an important component of the tourist season in urban Cape Breton, we are fortunate to have the Sydney Ports Corporation involvement in this important industry that gives so much to our island.

We may not be a marquee port like Halifax and Quebec, but we're very proud that the passengers say that Sydney exceeds

their expectations.

Bernadette MacNeil, cruise marketing and development manager

MCI signs agreement with aboriginal development group

Section: Business

By Nancy King, Cape Breton Post

The Mi'kmaq College Institute at Cape Breton University has signed an agreement intended to help First Nations communities more effectively obtain, use, and share information to help them move to more sustainable economies.

The MCI signed a memorandum of understanding with the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs (APCFNC) that focuses on the development and implementation of the Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Program (AAEDIRP) Information Repository and Database.

APCFNC will invest $25,000 in the project while MCI will develop and implement the repository and database. Employment will be available for CBU aboriginal students to do web searches and scan documents for the database. Economic development data will be housed at MCI for all to use.

Lindsay Marshall, MCI associate dean, noted it's the second MOU the MCI has signed - the first was with Membertou - and he hopes these efforts will help the institute establish a niche for itself.

"Our position here at the Mi'kmaq College Institute at Cape Breton University is to become the storehouse for this information," he said. "We would develop the knowledge to develop a virtual library that people would have access to."

Communities need good, accurate data, Marshall noted, when looking to undertake development. For example, he said, if someone is looking to launch a fishery initiative, they could go to the database and look at trends in the industry.

"Once you look at the raw data, you're able to make projections for the future, you're able to say exactly what your human resource needs will be, what your infrastructure needs will be, maintenance and replacement of vessels, what kind of training is going to be necessary, or maybe you need to examine best practices in the past," Marshall said.

This project will involve aboriginal researchers and aboriginal students in each phase. Economic development baseline data, human resource best practices and regional aboriginal business case studies are the sorts of information that will be researched.

"My interest, of course, is because I'm an MBA student in community economic development, and as a former chief, this is an area I feel needs work because we need to develop the expertise in the community," Marshall said. "The community has the resources and what we're trying to do is help develop the tools necessary to allow for healthy, sustainable communities."

Eventually it will become a community asset, Marshall said, because the information would be readily available and can be built on and it becomes a means of safeguarding information for future generations.

A team including representatives of APCFNC, Cape Breton University and its MCI, Memorial University, and First Nations communities will offer oversight to help maintain the integrity of the program.

Cruise ship visits on rising tide

Sydney Ports Corp. expects 82,000 passengers - an 88 per cent increase - will visit during 53 cruise ship visits this season

Section: Front

By Chris Hayes, Cape Breton Post

Cruise ship passengers Jack and Marsha Hutslar of southern Indiana were bundled up for a cool May morning in Cape Breton after disembarking from the Maasdam Tuesday.

"It's a little cold, but it's not bad," said Jack Hutslar, as the couple walked toward the Old Sydney Society museum at the Cape Breton Centre for Heritage and Science.

"We're dressed for it," Marsha added. "This is our first time to Cape Breton so we are very excited."

The couple joined a group of cruise ship passengers for a walking tour of Sydney's historic north end.

Cruise ship season in Sydney was launched Tuesday with the arrival of the Maasdam, a Holland America Line ocean liner carrying 1,192 passengers and 569 crew.

Bernadette MacNeil, director of cruise marketing and development for the Sydney Ports Corp., said 2008 will be a banner year with a large increase in the number of ship visits and passengers coming ashore.

The corporation is estimating 82,000 passengers - an 88 per cent increase - will visit during 53 cruise ship visits between now and November.

"We're very happy with it," she said. "The ships are large that are coming in and we have more calls. When you combine that, we have a big increase."

Cruise ship passengers booking New England-Canada cruises leaving New York and Boston have been tending to book nine- and 10-day cruises, which added to Sydney visits. Ports of call might also include Bar Harbour, Halifax and Quebec.

Many of the passengers taking New England-Canada trips have already taken cruises, said MacNeil.

"Most of them have already done the 'fun in the sun' trip," she said.

"They are looking for something different. They find this area romantic, almost comparable to Alaska."

Cruise ship passengers typically are interested in walking tours of Sydney's historic north end and tourist destinations like Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site or Highland Village in Iona.

Last year, Holland America, which is Cape Breton's best customer, ran a two-page feature on Sydney in its internal publication, she said.

"They said there is just a wealth of things to do and see. They very much compliment this port city and destination."

Several cruise ships will be in port at the same time on a number of days in September and October.

The cruise ship Minerva landed passengers in Louisbourg last week.

Here's hoping there's no strike
Hammering away at a new deal

Major construction projects could be shut down if island's trades unions and contractors can't reach agreement

Section: Front

By Steve MacInnis, Cape Breton Post

Major commercial and industrial construction projects on Cape Breton Island could be shut down if an agreement isn't reached between the island's trades unions and contractors.

While both sides say they are optimistic a negotiated settlement can be reached, time is running short and some trades unions have already rejected the last offer from the organization representing contractors.

"It is the council's recommendation that members turn down the latest offer," said Cliff Murphy, president of the Cape Breton Building and Construction Trades Council which represents 12 union groups.

However, said Murphy, the council remains hopeful for a negotiated settlement before the current contract expires June 30.

Al Stapleton, president of the Construction Management Bureau, which represents more than 80 construction contractors and employers, echoes Murphy's sentiment about a negotiated settlement.

"We are exchanging dates now to get back to the table and we are certainly hoping for an agreement," said Stapleton, adding the most contentious of the outstanding issues deals with wages.

The practice of negotiating a multi-trades construction agreement is unique to Cape Breton as the bureau negotiates individual trades contracts with unions on the mainland.

The multi-trades agreement covers everything from wages to pensions to holidays and hiring practices.

The two sides last met face-to-face April 29 under the guidance of a conciliator who has told the parties he won't be filing his report with the minister of labour until sometime in June. Under provincial labour law, a union moves into a legal strike position 14 days after the report is filed and management is within its rights to lock out employees.

Murphy said the last contract signed in 1996 didn't address a lot of issues as the two sides agreed to a cost of living increase in a bid to prevent any disruption in major construction projects occurring in the Strait area including the $650-million expansion at NewPage, formerly Stora Forest Industries.

"We now just want to play a little catch up," said Murphy.

The last strike involving trades unions was a two-week stint on the picket line in 1992.

The council's 3,600 members are now voting on the latest offer and have ratification meetings scheduled for the remainder of the month. The carpenters union is one group that has already unanimously turned down the offer.

If there is a strike, projects like the cleanup of the Sydney tar ponds would grind to halt until a settlement is reached.

Louisbourg 2008 plans revealed

Section: News

By Debbie Gwynn, Cape Breton Post

Plans for a unique summer-long celebration were unveiled Tuesday at the official launch of Louisbourg 2008.

The second - and final - siege of the French fortress in the summer of 1758 was a key battle in the Seven Years War between the British and French.

As part of planned activities at the fortress, Encampment 2008 from July 25-27 is expected to attract about 1,000 costumed re-enactors from across North America playing the parts of British, French and native people of the era.

Other events during the encampment include a Parade of Centuries involving the re-enactors and modern-day military, the Louisbourg fisherman's carnival, a songwriters' circle, entertainment tents with vendors and food, activities for children, sea kayaking, a concert and fireworks display, as well as the official opening of an improved section of the Lighthouse Trail.

Tuesday's launch, which featured selected speakers and presentations, also included the introduction of Jost Winery's two commemorative Louisbourg wines, L'Acadie Chardonnay and Marchal Foch.

Potential of port and harbour has never been fully realized

The focus is to promote Sydney harbour and brag about its attributes

Section: News

By Kiersten Johnston, Special to the Cape Breton Post

It has long been acknowledged by experts in the field and confirmed by all who view the potential on a daily basis that the port of Sydney is one of the finest in Canada.

Yet, that potential has not been tapped and certainly not fully developed.

Now, in 2008, on the 31st anniversary of Sydney Harbour Ports Day which will be celebrated on May 15th.

"Ports Day is an annual conference and each year we try to develop a theme that really is relevant to the time, to the year, to what's going on in the harbour," says Bernadette MacNeil, cruise marketing and development manager. "Essentially its focus is always to promote Sydney harbour and to brag about its attributes. So this year, there's lots going on around the harbour and we are all optimistic, there's a large number of individuals, operators around the harbour, the community, the politicians, etc, that are all working together with one vision. We have tremendous support to develop the Sydney harbour; i.e. we are in the middle of an environmental assessment."

"This year's theme is "It's Our Time" and we have a program developed around that theme. It will be talking about what makes a port successful, what does success look like, what's the infrastructure that you have to have in place, and how does that compare to what we do have?"

As for Ports Day itself on May 15th Bernadette says those who attend will participate in an impressive program at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion.

"We have someone from CBNS Railway speaking in the first panel and combined with that we have someone who is going to be informing us of what container cargo business is and what potential they identify that Sydney has for developing that business.

We have someone speaking about bulk cargo to describe what it is, and again describe what we currently have here in Sydney and their opportunities.

The final part of the panel will be an update on the environmental assessment and where we are with that right now and our future objectives in that scope of work and in that plan. That is all part of the first panel, What Does Success Look Like?"

"We have Ian MacNeil, who everyone knows as our moderator, so he will keep the content and flow going."

The second part of the panel is entitled Delivering Success, and that would be the operators around the harbour disclosing their business plans.

There will be updates from the Sydney Airport Authority, Marine Atlantic, Laurentian Energy Group, Logestech, and the Sydney Ports Corporation who will give an update on cruises.

Managing Success is the third panel; the guest speaker is the CEO of port of Toronto, Lisa Raitt.

She has already met with the members and the board of the Sydney Ports Corporation to have an understanding of what's come out of the port master plan and where we can go in the future, what we should develop in the way of a governance structure to move forward. She will be speaking about what options Sydney Harbour has.

"We also have someone from AIMS, the Atlantic Institute of Management Studies, Charles Certwell, and he will be talking about port models and telling Sydney what we should be looking for," says Bernadette.

"Our keynote speaker during the luncheon is Rankin MacSween, from New Dawn.

He's an extremely motivating and colourful speaker, very humorous but at the same time well spoken.

His title is "Writing our own Story: Discovering Hope and Possibility Amid the Ruins." And we are looking to have the best year for registration numbers, so we are very optimistic."

The Ports Days crew and the Sydney Ports Corporation officials have worked diligently to offer not only an interesting program, but one that is relevant, well researched, and a challenge to face the opportunities that lie ahead for the port of Sydney.

Seal Island lighthouse about to get new lease on life

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Doug MacKenzie, Cape Breton Post

One of Canada's oldest lighthouses may have brighter days ahead.

Built in 1830, the Seal Island lighthouse is the second-oldest octagonal, wooden lighthouse in Canada, but since it was de-staffed in 1990, the structure has had little maintenance and has been deteriorating rapidly.

New legislation, sponsored by former B.C. Senator Pat Carney, recently passed Parliament, giving individual Canadians a formal say in the future of hundreds of federally owned lighthouses.

"Every lighthouse has a story," said Carney, who may best be known for helping secure Canada's 1988 free-trade deal with the United States while serving as a Tory MP. "Every one is there because something happened: people drowned, ships sank, fortunes were lost. That's why they matter to local communities."

Many of the lighthouse stations are the responsibility of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans which has no mandate or budget for heritage protection.

"Once the act comes into force, we as custodians of many of these lighthouses are required to make public a list of all the lighthouses which are considered surplus to operational requirements," said Phil Jenkins, spokesperson for the DFO. "For lighthouses that are designated heritage properties and stay within our custody, we have a statutory obligation to respect the requirements for sale or transfer or maintenance or alteration of those designated lighthouses in accordance for the criteria which is established by the minister for Parks Canada."

Once the DFO makes the list public, community groups will have a further two years to petition the federal environment minister to designate lighthouses as heritage sites and explain how they would use any buildings that DFO no longer requires for operations.

"What's really important about the passing of this legislation is that it gives some teeth to the federal government to actually impose some conservation measures for lighthouses," said Carolyn Quinn, director of communications for the Heritage Canada Foundation. "It doesn't come into effect immediately because there has to be certain criteria established and put into place, and that will be developed by Parks Canada.

"Once that criteria is in place, then communities can apply to have the historic lighthouse in their community designated under this new legislation."

Quinn explained that not all historic lighthouses are going to qualify as having particular heritage significance, but she said Seal Island would be one which should make the grade.

"I would say with Seal Island already being recognized by the Federal Heritage Building Review Office, it's a no-brainer that one would be included in the legislation for protection," she said. "Basically, that means it will put into place certain steps which would prevent DFO, for instance, from just deciding they no longer want to maintain this lighthouse because obviously for them their priority is their navigational light system.

"What would happen in the past often, or enough times to cause concern right across the country, was that these lighthouses would be left - demolition by virtue of neglect, essentially, due to the lack of any regular maintenance or repairs."

Approximately 120 lighthouses have been recognized by the Federal Heritage Building Review Office, but Quinn said that was simply a policy recognizing their heritage and did not provide protection which can be found in the new legislation.

Quinn said the Heritage Canada Foundation would continue to encourage the process to occur in a timely fashion with the criteria being established sooner rather than later.

For more information on the legislation and the Heritage Canada Foundation, go to www.heritagecanada.org.

This story is a little trumped up...this was a training exercise for no specific event, but there will be members of the PSU onhand at the QMJHL draft. The Post seemed to take that loose connection as this training being motivated by the draft itself.
Regional police partnering with community to ensure everything runs smoothly at QMJHL draft

Section: Sports

Cape Breton Regional Police aren't taking any chances when an expected 1,000 people visit Cape Breton for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Session and Draft, June 4-7.

The local police service's public safety unit will be front and centre with more than 50 officers volunteering their time during the draft, according to a draft committee release.

"Both our mission statement and one of our key strategic priorities include the word 'partnership,'" said Deputy Chief Myles Burke of the Cape Breton Regional Police.

"The successes of our police service can be directly tied to us partnering with our citizens to prevent crime and disorder. Partnering with the community on events like the QMJHL draft is an example of community plus volunteers plus partnerships plus leadership equalling success."

According to the release, the public safety unit is a support unit "trained to pro-actively manage orderly and disorderly crowds," using the skills of crisis resolution and teamwork.

"General responsibilities of public safety unit members are to maintain close contact with a crowd, protect the lives and property of citizens, protect members of lawful assemblies, assess crowd dynamics, prevent a breach of the peace, identify possible dangers and manage responses using a minimal amount of force," continues the release.

"These duties will be carried out by the officers volunteering for the draft. Close to 15 of those officers are receiving training this week with the Toronto Police Service that will help hone their skills when the draft and annual session opens on June 4."

Staff Sgt. Ron Donovan said the training with the Toronto police is timely.

"As a unit we know it is easier to prevent disorder than react to disorder," said Donovan.

"The draft is a great opportunity for our team to put our practice to work. We don't anticipate any problems but having our officers present is again showing the proactive approach of the public safety unit."

Draft committee co-chair Anita DeLazzer agrees.

"When hosting an event of this calibre we have to prove that we can provide a safe environment for all participants," said DeLazzer. "Our partnership with the Cape Breton Regional Police played a major role in solidifying our ability to host the draft. We can't thank the Cape Breton Regional Police enough for their support."

Fellow draft committee co-chair Don Morrison echoed sentiments.

"This is another example of a partnership that will make events and projects a success in Cape Breton," said Morrison. "We really appreciate the police involvement. Staging and hosting events require co-operation and it's something that we get in our community."

Smevo

May 16, 2008, 5:23 AM

Cape Breton Post

Glace Bay MLA introduces casino bill

Section: Business

Dave Wilson, Liberal MLA for Glace Bay, has introduced a bill called The Sydney Casino Profits Distribution Act, aimed at increasing the casino's charitable contributions in Cape Breton.

Wilson says less than half of the casino's profit is returned to the province to pay for programs and services and he wants half of the amount distributed to local charities.

"Our bill would ensure that money stays in the community," says Wilson. "It establishes a board to oversee and administer the distribution of funds to local charities and non-profit organizations.

"The operator of Casino Nova Scotia is reporting significant first quarter gains and the Sydney casino made $9 million in profit last fiscal year," adds Wilson.

"Casinos are generating significant profit and Liberals believe that the community should directly benefit.

"I believe that the Sydney Casino has a responsibility to re-invest profits in their own backyard. The Liberal Caucus believes that it is the right thing to do and we have introduced this bill every session since 1999."

This goes under the "ummm...what?" category. It's a 30 minute drive from port to port if you follow the speed limit the whole way. Many cruise-ship passengers make the day-trip to Louisbourg (rougly 1,000 in former town limits).
Louisbourg announcement held in Sydney seems par for the course

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

Louisbourg 2008 Plans Revealed, reads the May 14 headline in the Cape Breton Post. It is just enough to make one scream! The biggest event for the Fortress of Louisbourg in years and the big announcement is made in Sydney!

Please, let me hear from some bureaucrat explain the logic behind this.

And further to the story on the same day, Cruise Ship Visits on Rising Tide, since I moved to Louisbourg eight years ago it seems to me there has been a marked decrease in cruise ship visits.

The Minerva was in last week and there are only three visits scheduled for 2008.

This is what the Sydney Ports Corp. is doing for Louisbourg. With the big events at the fortress, you would think the ports corporation would have been doing everything possible to increase the visits. Could it be possible there is some kind of bias toward Sydney?

Imagine that!

It is wonderful that Sydney will benefit from all the visitors. However, the ports corporation deserves no kudos for the poor treatment of the Port of Louisbourg.

Judy Swain

Louisbourg

Smevo

May 16, 2008, 5:55 AM

The next few sets of pictures will be a series...Panoramio (Google maps) finds by area.
This page will feature The Northside
Balls Creek
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2824919.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2824919)
by nancy m

Beach near Florence
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/1083642.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1083642)
by athenaa

Sydney Mines
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/3316240.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3316240)
by Withinside

Northside General
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/3128920.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3128920)
by J. A. Gillan

North Sydney
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/3128876.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3128876)
by J. A. Gillan

The Icons 1
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/2466873.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2466873)
by mira577

The Icons 2
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/7055320.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7055320)
by s. mednick

And for the Newfies...it's what we share! That and our love of these :cheers:
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/3128944.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3128944)
by J. A. Gillan

Smevo

May 17, 2008, 4:15 AM

Cape Breton Post

For whatever reason, my fiancee's internet is not co-operating with my desktop. I'm trying to keep the effect on what I post limited, but there are some downfalls with her laptop, including excel's activation period being expired and the lack of a picture-editing program for the google maps of development areas. When things get back to normal, I'll go back and edit all this stuff in, and update the main page. :cheers:

Port Hood
Anticipation high for Saturday's official opening of recreation park

Section: Business

By Nancy King, Cape Breton Post

A high-end recreational vehicle park that's been in development for three years will mark its official opening Saturday.

The Port Hood and District Recreation Commission looked at developing the park in an effort to boost tourism in the Inverness County community.

"We're very excited about it, for sure," spokesperson Joe Morris said.

"Right now, there's very little that holds people in the community for any length of time in the summertime and we're hoping that this is going to a place that tourists can stay for an extended period of time and enjoy themselves."

The community group was able to raise $465,000 through a CEDIF (community economic development investment fund) and construction began last June.

A second share offering that occurred earlier this year raised more than $250,000, and Morris said the group is now making plans for the expansion.

Under a CEDIF, members of the community are able to invest in the project and receive a tax credit for their support. They receive the same benefits as they would by investing in a RRSP, but the money stays in their own community. The CEDIF will pay a dividend after three years and people must invest for a minimum of five years.

"We have 55 fully serviced sites in place and now we're looking at developing another 55 units, some of them are in the water recreation area, that's to come over the next couple of years," he said.

The park is located on property adjacent to the Al MacInnis Sports Centre and is only a stone's throw from Port Hood beach. The co-operative wants to attract high-end campers with three-way hookups on large sites. Vacationers would have access to the arena's fitness centre, hospitality room, restaurant and outdoor performance stage, and the park has a washroom-laundromat building.

"We're within walking distance here of Murphy's Pond where our campers can go pick up their lobster and we can provide the equipment to cook them - they taste great this year," Morris said.

As well as the additional camping sites, there are also plans for a playground area, convenience store and heated salt water outdoor swimming pool.

"There's quite a bit of interest," Morris said. "We find that a lot of people are coming to see it and a lot of people are talking about seasonals or various lengths over the summer this year. A lot of people have been waiting for it because of the wonderful beach we have here and the other amenities we'll be offering."

As part of Saturday's official opening, a ribbon cutting will take place at 2 p.m., with Premier Rodney MacDonald, who is also the area's MLA, MP Rodger Cuzner, and municipal government officials, as well as other guests, are expected to be on hand.

There will also be a trade show, taking place both inside and outside of the Al MacInnis Sports Centre, featuring models of recreational vehicles from two Cape Breton-based dealers. Two of the commission's units will also be on site, which will be rented out throughout the season.

Entertainment will follow in the evening, in the arena mezzanine.

If this stuff doesn't solidify, it's going to be an even bigger mess...so here's hoping it does though I'm still not really a fan of the method, it was the only one left that didn't involve emission or transportation concerns.
Tar ponds cleanup moves closer to solidification, stabilization

Section: Cape Breton

By Debbie Gwynn, Cape Breton Post

Before moving ahead with the full scale solidification and stabilization of the cooling pond project a small field demonstration was carried out in January 2008.

The Sydney Tar Ponds Agency held an open house Thursday to update residents of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality with the results of the testing.

The field demonstration, led by Chris Holt, senior remediation engineer with Earth Tech, helped engineers to select which mix recipes would work best on the cooling pond sediment when the full-scale solidification and stabilization technology is applied.

Twelve cells were treated during the testing. The total volume of contaminated sediment treated was about 1850m3 (enough sediment to fill about 2,100 domestic oil tanks).

"This is pilot-scale work and is needed before we can go ahead with full scale solidification/stabilization," said Tanya Collier MacDonald, communications officer for the tar ponds agency, "where they (Earth Tech) show their results meet the criteria regulators have identified before moving ahead with the full scale project."

Members of Sierra Club's Cape Breton Group issued a press release Thursday demanding the results of bench scale testing of the stabilization and solidification of the Sydney tar ponds sludge completed in May 2007, be released to the public immediately.

"This technology holds no promise of success with tar ponds sludge," said Dan McMullin, chair of Sierra Club's Cape Breton Group in the release. "Once again, government will squander hundreds of millions on a proposal that may well make matters worse."

Reports from the testing carried out in 2007 along with results from the pilot-scale work will be sent to the regulators, Nova Scotia Environment and Public Works and Government Services Canada upon completion.

Collier MacDonald anticipates it will be four to six months before all results are in, the regulators approve it and the agency can move forward.

"We will release the results of the reports of the bench-scale and pilot-scale work at that time," said Collier MacDonald.

Although exact figures were not available, Collier MacDonald believes that during peak construction periods approximately 120 people will be involved on the construction side of the project - but added the numbers will fluctuate.

Upon approval, full-scale stabilization and solidification of the Sydney tar ponds is expected to be completed by 2014.

Think-tank executive wonders where new terminal will get cargo

Section: Cape Breton

By Nancy King, Cape Breton Post

Funding may be in place for a new container terminal at the ports of Sydney, but proponents will soon have to turn their attention to ensuring there are clients to use it, the acting president of a conservative think-tank says.

Charles Cirtwill of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies attended Thursday's announcement that Laurentian Energy will partner with Galaxy SARL to develop a $200-million terminal here.

"I think the challenge that Galaxy and Laurentian has is the challenge that the folks in the Strait are going to have, which is it's fairly easy in the global equity market to get money, but money doesn't necessarily turn into cargo," he said.

"The big question now for both Sydney and the Strait is you have your money, you're doing your environmental assessments, where's your cargo coming from, who's running your terminal, who's bringing the boxes, who ships."

While the Sydney project is targeting ships larger than those currently serving North America, he noted other ports could upgrade facilities to handle those as well.

Galaxy CEO Corinne Namblard indicated they are about to make an announcement in Suez and they have interests in target markets on the other end, something Cirtwill said he hasn't heard from many other project proponents.

"One of the things you have to look at to make these kind of ports successful is about supply chain and about getting a partner that's investing throughout the supply chain and has that capacity to handle it over time," he said.

The Sydney announcement shows the Atlantic Gateway fund set up by Ottawa is unnecessary because private interests are willing to step forward to fund projects, Cirtwill argued.

"When you have a major international conglomerate basically describing a $200-million investment in Sydney as a small project it kind of makes all of our navel-gazing around can we find $30 million from various levels of government for dredging seem a little unnecessary," he said.

Critics of these developments often note that the port of Halifax is currently below 50 per cent of its annual 1.2 million 20-foot equivalent containers (TEUs) capacity, while proponents say they aren't responding to current numbers but projected spikes in international shipping.

"It's a validation of what we've been saying all along that the global projections on container trade are such that there should be enough for a number of container terminals . . . our market analysis that we've done supports that," said Richie Mann, spokesperson for a $300-million container terminal project on the mainland side of the Strait of Canso.

He added players aren't putting millions of dollars into these projects without doing their homework to see that they'll get returns on their investments.

"When you're raising hundreds of millions of dollars to do a development, you have to have good information," he said. "There will always be doubters, no matter what you do."

The container terminal, rail intermodal facility and logistics park to be built at the provincially owned 14,500-acre Melford industrial land reserve in Guysborough County will have an annual throughput capacity of 1.5 million TEUs and have three berths initially. That compares with 750,000 TEUs and two berths at Sydney.

Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor John Morgan called the announcement a dream come true.

"We have always taken the position that the key piece of infrastructure in terms of redeveloping this regional economy has been the development of Sydney harbour and the development of a variety of infrastructure facilities on Sydney harbour, principally container traffic in the region," he said.

The thing the critics of these developments miss when they quote the percentage usage of Halifax is the two main capacity-inhibitors of the Halifax Port. The port itself can handle 1.2 million TEU's, but CN is uncooperative in moving more cargo out of the port, and the container trucks line up onto downtown streets and have to move through downtown traffic to leave the port. Both of those things, while not decreasing the ports ultimate capacity to take/store cargo, decrease its real capacity to move cargo. While the Strait and Sydney ports will have to deal with CN, the ports won't be in a position where container trucks are moving through the dominant downtown of the area (only actually existant in Sydney and Halifax anyway). The main downfall of the Strait and Sydney ports will be the 2-lane highway system, though that's being upgraded for the Strait port...no mention of upgrades for Sydney yet other than the 125 and a short stretch of the 104 in Port Hastings/Port Hawkesbury which will be designed 4-lane but built initially as 2-lane.

My best guess for where the container terminal will go...I'm probably a bit off though.
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/97217774.jpg
Created by myself in Google Maps!
I'm not sure where exactly the boundaries of the industrial park lands are, but I know there's area set aside for expansion. This site makes the most logical sense to me as far as being connected to the park and still having water access.

Smevo

May 17, 2008, 4:46 PM

Cape Breton Post

Too bad they couldn't find a better location closer to downtown. Hopefully this won't decrease their customers. The Marine terminal really was the ideal location until the security issues came into effect.
Cape Breton Farmers' Market gets new home

Section: Cape Breton

By Nancy King, Cape Breton Post

In only a few weeks, the Cape Breton Farmers' Market will move to a new location that will allow its vendors more space and give them the opportunity to expand their offerings.

The board signed a five-year lease for its new location on Keltic Drive Friday, in the former W.A. MacLeod Wholesale in Coxheath.

The market now is located at Sydney Marine Terminal in downtown Sydney, but looked for a new location because of increasing security restrictions there. More than 40 locations were considered before settling on its new home.

The property was attractive for a number of reasons, said Charles MacDonald, chair of the board of directors, including ample parking.

"The building is very well-maintained and it has the kind of square footage that we were looking for," MacDonald said. "It fit all of our needs."

The market, which operates on Saturday mornings, will move the first week in June. Renovations, including knocking down some walls and electrical and plumbing work will allow vendors access to the services they need, including a state-of-the-art kitchen.

"It's our space, it's not a multi-purpose space, which was the situation at the marine terminal," MacDonald said. "We can set up our fridges and freezers and tables and displays and leave them there from week to week."

Vendor Lark Szick, who sells jams and jellies, noted that permanence, along with extra room, may encourage some vendors to expand offerings. Currently, vendors often only bring with them what they can carry that morning, she said.

Initially they hoped to remain in downtown Sydney but weren't able to find a location there that was large enough and had enough parking. Keltic Drive is an increasingly bustling area, MacDonald said, and can be readily accessed by people who live throughout the CBRM, particularly with the new Coxheath exit from Highway 125.

"Not only do we expect to bring our current customers with us, but we expect that we're going to be able to attract new customers, he said, adding a survey of patrons showed that 93 per cent made their way to the market by car, while only seven per cent came by foot.

MacDonald noted they are also considering opening on Fridays throughout the summer months.

The market has operated for about 30 years, mostly in the summer outdoors on the corner of George and Pitt streets, before moving indoors, first to the Civic Centre round room, six years ago.

Board vice-chair Jeremy Frith, noted in a news release the market grew significantly during its time at the marine terminal, averaging about 700 customers throughout the winter and upwards of 1,500 during its peak season last year. It attracts vendors and customers from around the island.

The Cape Breton Farmers Market Cooperative brings together 30 vendors, selling items such as locally produced meats, fish, vegetables, baked goods and crafts.

Community visionaries behind shipping concept

Section: Comment

Column: Fred Jackson

By Fred Jackson,

A publisher now deceased always urged the best vantage point for reporting, whether a sporting event, a fire or a meeting. Thursday, during one of the best good-news announcements to hit Cape Breton in years, I positioned my frame towards the back of the room at the Sydney Marine Terminal. This gave me an excellent opportunity to hear plans for the design and construction of a $200 million container terminal in Sydney Harbour. I noticed several business leaders who deserve a lot of credit for spearheading this project. Marty Chernin, Brian Shebib, Hughie Tweedie, and Andre Cote are among those who have pushed this project, but there was one person missing. Chernin credits the late Greg Lynch for having the insight to pursue development of Sydport. There are others who have helped but it was Greg from the start, said Chernin. We are doing this for the community. It's our future and hopefully someday we will all get our investments back. Fortunately, Cape Breton has many business people who are communityminded. Individuals like Irving Schwartz, Jimmy Kehoe and Joe Shannon have invested in this island, but unfortunately our business leaders at times are the target for unwarranted criticism. People like Chernin and Tweedie can go off into the sunset and play the business game elsewhere but they have the fire in their bellies to move this community forward. One of the smartest things that the Sydport group did was hire Jim Wooder, who has done a great job in developing this project into a joint venture between Galaxy SARL of France, a transportation infrastructure equity fund, and Laurentian Energy Corp., a manufacturing and commercial property management group based in Nova Scotia.

A two-berth container facility with a yearly capacity of 750,000 tonnes will be built to accommodate the world's largest vessels. The project will require a deepening of the Sydney Harbour access channel to 17 metres at an estimated cost of $30 million. The dredging project is undergoing an environmental assessment. I also noted two men in uniforms Chief Dave Wilson and Deputy Chief Miles Burke of the regional police. Once this facility is up and running it will require tight port security and policing will be important. The spin-offs for this project will be enormous. It's estimated the terminal will create 1,200 to 1,500 direct jobs, a total of up to 3,500 positions once indirect and induced jobs are considered. Although this is driven by the private sector it was nice to see Sydney Victoria MP Mark Eyking and Mayor John Morgan in attendance, and they both asked important questions. This project will require co-operation from all levels of government and the entire business sector. Folks, from my vantage Thursday, this dream will become a reality and co-operation will be the key to success.

Pride in our people
Being an avid Detroit Red Wings fan, I have been glued to the Stanley Cup playoffs. It's still nice to hear Bob Cole's voice calling the play-by-play for the series between Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. I have known Cole from my younger days growing up in Newfoundland. One of my first feature stories was on Cole starting his career on Hockey Night in Canada. It amazes me that Cole at 74 years of age is holding his own. During the last six decades, a Newfoundlander or a Cape Bretoner has been calling the shots for Hockey Night in Canada an amazing accomplishment for two Atlantic Canadians. Danny Gallivan, born in Whitney Pier, became the voice of the Montreal Canadians in the early '50s on radio and then later on television. With Dick Irvin as his colour commentator, he was featured almost every Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada. Newfoundland was quick to name the media booth at Mile One in St. John's the Bob Cole Media Centre, and hopefully someday we could call the media booth at Centre 200 the Danny Gallivan Media Centre. It's long overdue.

Cape Breton has many icons. Let's showcase some of that by naming the media centre in Gallivan's honour. There are other opportunities of this kind, such as naming the Sydney airport in honour of some contributor. It was fitting Thursday to hear the container terminal announcement in the Steve Kavanaugh room. Kavanaugh, who died in 2006, was dean of the School of Business at Cape Breton University and a founding member of the Sydney Ports Corp., and he served on the board of trade and Sydney Airport Authority. Having pride in our people is important. Legacies can inspire and will live on. Farside of me Pride is a personal commitment. It is an attitude which separates excellence from mediocrity.

Famous quotation
It ain't bragging if you can do it.

Dizzy Dean,

Hall of Fame baseball pitcher

Inverness fishermen initiate blockade in battle for crab

Section: Front

By Doug MacKenzie, Cape Breton Post

Cape Breton fishermen continued to blockade four New Brunswick fishing boats in the harbour here, Friday in protest of their lack of share in the crab fishery.

"Things are going great," said Inverness fisherman Lawrence MacLellan. "We're hearing rumours we might be able to talk to the fisheries minister, we're making headway, everybody's behind us and we hear there are Mabou boats and Port Hood boats coming down and they are supporting us 100 per cent."

The four New Brunswick boats were in Inverness with permits to fish crab, a right not afforded to the Inverness fishermen.

"We've tried every avenue for years to get crab permits," said MacLellan, who estimated the out of province boats would take 500,000 pounds of crab back to New Brunswick. "I think it was eight years ago Margaree harbour to Bay St. Lawrence were given their access and were given a four-trap permit and we've been left waiting. We're the last four harbours (Inverness, Mabou, Port Hood and Judique), the last four communities in Cape Breton without a crab allocation.

"We understand we're not going to get a 70,000-pound licence, that's not on the books, but we want the little permit."

MacLellan explained local fishermen hoped to get a four-trap permit allowing them to fish approximately 8,000 pounds of crab as a way of supplementing their livelihoods.

Despite being forced to tie up, the New Brunswick fishermen understand the reasoning behind the actions of their Inverness counterparts.

"It's not what we had planned and we didn't know the politics of it," said Lee Straight, adding some of the crew members had gone home to be with family while awaiting a resolution to the conflict. "We're stopped I guess for a couple of days and there is nothing we can do. We won't cross the boats, we won't go out through them. We don't agree with the way they're doing it, but we agree with what they are after.

"There are no hard feelings. We understand what is taking place and our boats are safe."

Straight explained the New Brunswick boats were sub-contracted to fish the quota for the New Brunswick inshore fishermen who total 144.

"So much goes to pay for the boats, it goes to our health insurance, our fishermen's plan and the rest goes to lobster rationalization," said Straight. "The (fishermen) here who had their names drawn to come, they don't fish lobsters this fall, they have to give up their lobster fishery for one year."

MacLellan agreed that everyone has been getting along well considering the situation, but he feels this was the only route available to best preserve the interests of Inverness and he was quick to point to the closed fish plant on a hill overlooking the harbour to emphasize the effect on the community.

"The fish plant processed crab last year and they aren't this year and that has left 20 to 30 people out of work," said MacLellan. "You don't go to New Brunswick and take a job away from someone up there when they're not working so it's a hard pill to swallow.

"This day and age we shouldn't have to burn boats and cause a big ruckus, but it seems like the way to do it. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, but we're doing it in a diplomatic way and we're doing a peaceful protest and that's the way we want things to happen."

In the CBC NS news story, one fisherman said they'd been trying to negotiate and get the attention of DFO for 5 years, but to no avail. The fishermen are there, and the crab are in their home harbour, but not only can they not fish it, they have to watch NB boats come into their harbour and take the crab away. I know everyone has to make a living, and it's not the fault of the NB fishermen, but it does seem more than a little ridiculous.

Politicians, business people keeping an eye on ECBC's direction

Section: Front

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post

The ongoing mandate review of Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. has many politicians and business people questioning the future direction of the federal Crown corporation, which has been co-ordinating economic development efforts in the region for the last two decades.

The speculation of the agency's future began to heighten following the official departure of Rick Beaton as its vice-president and chief executive in November.

Beaton had held the top position at ECBC - an arm of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - for eight years before his sudden departure in the winter of 2007.

Many current and former employees at ECBC were glad to see him go. Some were quick to point out his leadership style was heavy handed and erratic, although saying that publicly wasn't an option for most.

Todd Graham, president of McKenzie College in Sydney, had been one of Beaton's most outspoken critics during his tenure.

Graham said it'll be difficult for the consulting firm conducting the review to simply glance over the troubles during Beaton's time in office. Although, in the same breath, he believes Beaton's work with ECBC shouldn't permanently tarnish the federal agency.

"(Beaton) ruled the corporation with an iron first and there really was no other opinion that carried any weight other than Rick Beaton's. To even call it ECBC at that point in time was probably unfair because it was Rick Beaton's corporation," Graham said.

"It's unfortunate that ECBC is undergoing this review at this point in time because unfortunately they were not necessarily doing the job they could have been able to do under Mr. Beaton."

Graham said there's been a new air of co-operation since Marlene Usher was appointed acting chief executive and vice-president of the corporation more than a year ago.

"It's unfortunate that people are making decisions now, or judgments now, based on what's happened during (Beaton's) tenure."

However it was announced Thursday that former longtime Sobeys executive John Lynn from New Glasgow, would succeed Beaton as chief executive and vice-president of ECBC. The five-year appointment is effective June 1.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who is responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, formally announced the first-ever mandate review of ECBC last fall.

The outcome will determine whether ECBC continues its work or potentially has its role altered.

With 42 employees, it has a direct parliamentary appropriation of $8.6 million a year and is also responsible for delivering ACOA programs on Cape Breton, which includes $13.6 million this year. ECBC also receives about $1.5 million a year in loan repayments.

The president of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce Owen Fitzgerald believes taking ECBC for granted could be a costly mistake.

"We have to be aware of what changes they could make and make sure they don't happen," Fitzgerald said. "I think the (federal government) has to understand, too, that we are in transition, we do have some significant challenges but at the same time we have some great opportunities and we have made some progress.

"When you look at the whole picture, then we are able to make an argument that the budget needs to be protected, if not expanded."

Municipalities in Cape Breton have passed resolutions to show their support for ECBC and the money it has spent on the island.

Port Hawkesbury Mayor Billy Joe MacLean went so far as to ask the island's mayors and wardens to join forces with federal and provincial representatives in sending a message to MacKay that, at the very least, the status quo must be maintained.

He has said shutting down the agency would be a "disaster" for parts of the island.

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality was eager to show its support for the corporation.

A letter was sent to MacKay by CBRM officials to express the importance of having such a federal agency on the island.

CBRM Mayor John Morgan said the perception of ECBC in the past is that it has functioned as a "private bank for a small group of individuals."

With new leadership at the helm, the mayor agrees that has "changed somewhat."

"(ECBC's) model is to subsidize business. But there are other mechanisms that can be employed by the federal government," Morgan said during a recent interview.

"We've talked about decentralizing federal government offices and building major infrastructure like the ports, tax incentive systems and investing in educational institutions, so there are a lot of things that the federal government can do to help an area other than just subsidizing businesses."

Morgan said that ECBC has only applied an "anecdotal standard" of whether they've had success in adding to employment growth in Cape Breton. The unemployment rate continues to be stuck in the double digits.

He noted that efforts by ECBC alone haven't been enough to stem the tide of a population that continues to move west by the thousands in search of a good job.

"Unless you set (economic) targets at the outset, you don't know whether the interventions that you are applying is doing anything of substance in the community.

"Even if they got it perfect, it is such a narrowly focused effort at economic development in our region . . . realistically (ECBC) is unlikely to have a material impact on the future direction of the region."

Acting CEO says ECBC unlikely to experience 'radical changes'

Mandate review of federal Crown corporation comes two decades after it was first established to help transform Cape Breton from an island dependent on the now-defunct steel and coal industries

Section: Weekend

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post

Established at a time to bring relief to an already struggling economy, Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. has been used as the tool of the federal government to support business initiatives on the island since the downturn in the economy began to hit high gear in the late 1980s.

ECBC originally came out of a division of the Cape Breton Development Corp., which was formed in 1967 as part of Ottawa's plan to address the burgeoning coal crisis on the island.

ECBC became its own distinct entity in 1987 - pursuant to the Government Organization Act of Atlantic Canada with a jurisdictional mandate which included all of Cape Breton and the town of Mulgrave, since the town had undergone dramatic decline following its bypass as a ferry port and railway hub with the 1955 opening of the Canso Causeway.

The emergence of this federal agency was the government's response to a region which was undergoing a transition from a resource-based economy centred on the coal and steel industries to one mainly focused on the service sector.

Fast-forward to 2008 and the federal Crown corporation is undergoing its first mandate review.

In addition to its own programs, it also delivers programs for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in the region.

The lack of a formal review process after two decades of doing business had one government official surprised.

"I'd expect it would probably have had one by now, and if it hadn't, it probably should have, as ACOA would have a mandate review and as any federal department would have a mandate review," Conservative MP Gerald Keddy, parliamentary secretary to the ACOA minister, said during a trip to Sydney in March.

It was back in 2005 the Treasury Board directed the minister responsible for ACOA to conduct ECBC's first-ever review. While the enacting legislation for some Crown corporations dictate when mandate reviews must occur, there's no such provision in the ECBC Act.

Review will have "broad scope"

ECBC's acting chief executive officer Marlene Usher explains that even though the review is wide in scope, with many possibilities to be examined, she doesn't expect any major changes in its current mandate.

"There's a possibility the corporation's mandate could be amended or changed or it could be that there are some efficiencies found with Devco. There could be some (possibility) to combine the two Crown corporations," said Usher, a member of the mandate review's steering committee.

"But really at this point I don't expect there to be radical changes."

This review officially began in February with results to be released in a report by Ottawa-based consulting firm Universalia in late summer.

It will give the federal government a chance to examine its processes and programs, and then take the necessary steps to improve them or change the corporation's direction completely.

Other than Usher, the steering committee includes a senior official from ACOA and senior management from other federal government departments.

Usher said the report's findings will first be brought to the steering committee for further discussion.

"It'll be up to the steering committee to make recommendations to the minister (of ACOA)," Usher said.

Reviewing the files that 'went wrong'

The review will ultimately focus on evaluating the economic impact of the Cape Breton Growth Fund - the $98-million fund intended to help the island make the transition from an economy dependent on coal. That fund wound down in early 2007.

Keddy also suggested the review will take into account ECBC's troubled relationship with the North Sydney die-cast manufacturing plant Cape Breton Castings, among other projects.

"We've had some files that have had some difficulty and it's time to look at those files to see exactly what went wrong and how we need to improve that."

Cape Breton Castings, which provides aluminum auto parts to the nearby Magna-owned Tesma auto plant, was established in 2004 and received $24.7 million of repayable assistance from the Cape Breton Growth Fund, ACOA and ECBC.

The growth fund took control of the plant in March 2006, however, when the project's proponents encountered difficulty and had to surrender their shares.

The owners, who are in the auto parts business in Ontario, struggled to find financing for the Cape Breton project to the point that the plant may have closed if Ottawa didn't come up with more money.

"It's been a painful process but this is the step we needed to take to ensure the long-term future of the plant," then-ECBC CEO Rick Beaton said at the time.

In December 2006, the growth fund board committed to operating castings until July 1, 2007 while efforts were made to sell the plant. After a public call for proposals was made for the sale of the assets, a total of five proposals were received - two for liquidation and three to purchase the plant as a going concern.

The federal government is unlikely to ever recover all of its investment. Beaton said the company's assets were worth in the $18 million to $19 million range.

Now called Atlantic Castings Ltd., a group of mostly local investors acquired the plant in November from the growth fund for $2-million.

The purchasers assumed responsibility for the 60 employees and immediately injected $2 million of working capital into the operation, followed by an additional investment for new equipment. The existing building will continue to be leased from ECBC.

Investing in communities

Engineering a stable economy has meant keying into two of ECBC's strategic priorities: supporting business and investing in communities.

Much effort has been placed on revitalization of downtown areas such as the work done to buildings, particularly in Sydney and Glace Bay, over the last several years.

Along Charlotte Street, some 47 businesses took part in the first phase of the project two years ago. It translated into $1.2-million in renovations where ECBC would match the investment made by businesses up to $40,000.

Phase two of the project last year also drew interest from more than 30 other businesses on Charlotte Street, as well as adjacent side streets, to improve their storefronts with the intention of drawing a larger customer base and thus encouraging more entrepreneurs to set up shop in the downtown.

"It gives a cluster effect in your downtown core. It has a domino effect and we've really found a change in the customers' attitude," Eileen Lannon Oldford, chief executive of the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority, said last summer as the regional development authority in charge of administering the program.

Smevo

May 18, 2008, 5:31 AM

Got some images done, will update the main page in the coming week.

New Lawton's location...2 storey development with some space being for lease.
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/109418530.jpg

Best guess at container terminal location
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/97217774.jpg

Smevo

May 20, 2008, 5:14 PM

Cape Breton Post

Just cause it's Cohen...:)
Crazy for Cohen

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leonard Cohen to grace Savoy Theatre stage for two sold-old performances

Section: Arts and Entertainment

The Savoy Theatre has hosted some big names over the years and this week it will welcome one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our time.

The legendary Leonard Cohen will grace the Savoy stage twice with performances Tuesday and Wednesday night. Originally slated to perform just once in Cape Breton, a second show was added when the first sold out in less than an hour.

Cohen will be joined by world renowned musicians Roscoe Beck (bass & vocals, music director) Neil Larsen (keyboard, accordion, brass instruments), Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar & vocals), Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, oud & misc. string instruments), Christine Wu (violin, viola, cello & keyboard), Rafael Gayol (drums & percussion) and Dino Soldo (keyboard, saxophone, wind instruments & vocals), for the concerts.

The Cape Breton Post put in a request to interview Cohen but according to a publicist, he is not doing any media interviews at this time.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year, Cohen followed that up with an announcement of his return to the live arena after 15 years, much to the delight of his many fans. At his induction into the Hall of Fame, Lou Reed recognized him as, "without question one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater mystery and depth as time goes on."

In a brief biography on Cohen's website, he is described as an artist whose body of work achieves greater depths of mystery and meaning as time goes on. His songs have set a virtually unmatched standard in their seriousness and range. Also a renowned poet and author, his dual careers in music and literature have continued feeding each other over the decades - his songs revealing a literary quality rare in the world of popular music, and his poetry and prose informed by a rich musicality.

Cohen's songs have been famously covered by the great and the good, each version a fascinating attempt to move closer to Cohen's enigmatic muse. From Judy Collins' 'Suzanne' to k.d. lang's seminal rendition of 'Hallelujah', Cohen's songs have travelled as far and wide as their author.

U2, Sting, R.E.M., Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright, Johnny Cash, and Neil Diamond are only a few of Leonard's other devotees.

It's estimated that his songbook has been covered more than 1,300 times by other recording artists.

'Not just a pipe dream'

Coal mines possible source of geothermal energy to heat schools, hospitals

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes,

Former coal mines in Cape Breton that are flooded with water warmed by the heat of the earth are being seen as a possible source of geothermal energy to heat buildings like schools or hospitals.

The Cape Breton Development Corporation, which manages the mines, has been consulting with Cape Breton University about the possibility of capturing the heat from the water, which is thought to be in the 9-15 C range.

Collin Harker, a business consultant working with Devco, said the geothermal energy can be captured by bringing mine water to the surface to be run through a heat pump, while taking care because of its corrosive quality to ensure it doesn't enter a building's heat distribution system.

"They are very common," he said. "Air conditioners run on heat pumps. That will take the heat out of the water and transfer it into... the material going through the building."

It may also be possible to capture geothermal energy by immersing heat-capturing technology down into the warm water of coal mine workings.

Devco has also been talking to the Cape Breton District Health Authority about the possibility of using geothermal energy to heat the Glace Bay hospital and to the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board about using it at a new junior high school that is to be built.

Harker was confident there will be an geothermal project underway within a year.

Dean of research Harvey Johnstone said Cape Breton University is making an application to the Atlantic Innovation Fund for a research project that will look at the possibility of using mine water as a renewable source of geothermal energy.

The research would in part look at the key issue of how long it would take to reheat water that is raised to the surface and then returned to the warm depths of the mine.

"We are looking at what is the capacity of the mine system here to recycle," he said.

The university is also hiring a mine water expert for a research chair being funded by Devco.

Johnstone expects to see buildings heated by geothermal energy.

"I really do," he said. "I don't think this is at all pie in the sky."

Energy prices are going through the roof, he noted.

"That's why I think it's not at all just a pipe dream. That's a bit of a pun. I think it is something we are all looking at."

Johnstone noted mine water is being used to heat a building belonging to Ropak Can Am Ltd., a manufacturer of plastic packaging products, in Springhill, N.S.

"If you get to a certain level of efficiency in terms of the components you string together to pull the water out, exchange the heat and then utilize the heat, you can actually get to a status of being a renewable energy," he said. "That's what we are very interested to look at is to put the components together in such a way that we will be actually achieving renewable energy status."

Paul Oldford, facilities management co-ordinator for the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, said the proposal could have potential for a new school in Glace Bay, although there is still a lot of research to be done.

Vice-president Jim Merkley said the Cape Breton District Health Authority is also very curious about the potential of tapping coal mine workings for heat at Glace Bay hospital.

Groups move ahead with plans for heritage fund

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes,

The Old Sydney Society and Whitney Pier Historical Society are moving ahead with plans for a proposed heritage fund to revive neighbourhoods near the Sydney tar ponds.

Don Arseneau, president of the Old Sydney Society, said there have been several replies to an ad in the Cape Breton Post requesting proposals to develop a business plan for the heritage housing revolving fund.

The ad ran May 3 with a May 20 deadline. Arseneau hoped to have the business plan by the end of August.

Funding for the business plan development came from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

The revolving heritage fund would see the purchase of a heritage building which would be rehabilitated and sold on terms that would require the owner to preserve its historic nature. Money from the first sale would be used to repeat the process.

The project is focusing on vacant or at risk historic buildings in the neighbourhoods abutting the Sydney tar ponds.

The request for proposals asks for a detailed, step-by-step business plan including cost information for pilot project properties, labour/contracting requirements, sources of financial support and administrative processes to ensure sustainability.

Arseneau said the society has several leads for the funding to purchase the first building

Hopefully, the project could encourage others to do the same thing, said Arseneau.

"We hope it will spread and infect the whole area to bring about changes."

Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University, presented a report on the revolving fund at a meeting of the regional municipality's heritage advisory committee.

The project would be unique in Canada and is based on a revolving heritage project in Charleston, S.C., said Urbaniak.

Fishermen end harbour blockade

Section: Front

By Erin Pottie, Cape Breton Post

Cape Breton boats blocking out-of-province fishermen from their legal catch have returned to shore after a four-day protest over shares of the crab fishery.

Hundreds of supporters, including fellow fishermen, were scattered along the Inverness wharf and others arrived on fishing boats during a rally that ended to the recent blockade.

Four New Brunswick fishing boats were allowed to leave Inverness harbour Sunday at noon after being trapped since Thursday night. Local fishermen who are not allowed to fish nearby crab had planned the blockade to pressure federal fisheries officials into giving them a share of the quota.

"We had a number of extra boats come down last night and help us with the blockade and a few more boats came this morning," said Inverness fisherman Lawrence MacLellan, who called the 20-30 vessels back to shore using his cellphone.

"We're trying to take the high road on this, so as of now, I think we're going to take the blockade down and New Brunswick boats are free to fish. They're welcome to stay in this harbour - there will be nothing done to them. Hopefully in the future we can fish alongside them," he said.

MacLellan estimates the New Brunswick vessels take 500,000 pounds of crab, including crab from waters 19 kilometres off Inverness, along the coast and down toward Cheticamp. Meanwhile the four harbours of Inverness, Mabou, Port Hood and Judique do not have a crab allocation though fishers have been seeking a permit for years.

MacLellan said the group has kept friendly ties with New Brunswick fishers and having met with Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald were told the premier did not support the harbour blockade, but does support the fishery. A meeting with Cape Breton Canso MP Rodger Cuzner was also said to be positive.

"We've got to sit down and start somewhere right - that's the objective. No one was talking to us," said MacLellan. "We want access, we want access into Area 18 and I think it's time that we deserve it because they're sharing everywhere else in Cape Breton."

Four members of the four fishing communities with no crab quota are scheduled sit down with Department of Fisheries and Oceans area manager Helen Kerr today in Antigonish at 3 p.m.

"We're not trying to disrupt their fishery at all," said Mabou fisherman Trevor MacInnis, who was glad the blockade ended without incident. "We feel it's an injustice that's been done to our community, to our side of the island."

MacInnis says the fishermen want a share of crab fishing Area 18 by means of a small or four-trap permit that would amount to approximately 8,000 pounds of crab.

Ned MacDonald, an area councillor and deputy warden for Inverness County, said the fight for crab quota has been ongoing but suggested hard times may have sparked the recent protests.

"It wasn't easy for them, it came out of frustration, but I think they obtained their objective. They got the message out. All they want is fairness and to share in this quota," he said.

"This is one area that does not share in the quota. Every other part of the island is sharing and these fishermen have been fighting this for years."

Smevo

May 20, 2008, 5:28 PM

Cape Breton Post

Announcement about Advanced Glazing Technologies Ltd. lawsuit expected today

Section: Cape Breton

By Erin Pottie,

An announcement regarding the commencement of legal action with respect to Advanced Glazing Technologies Ltd. is expected today.

Members of the media have been invited to attend a press conference at 2 p.m. at the boardroom of Sampson McDougall Barristers and Solicitors on Wentworth Street.

Conference spokesperson Michelle Milburn would provide no further details about the announcement Monday evening.

"I can't really say any more other than there is sort of going to be more legal-related stuff, but I can't confirm or comment on what that's going to be," she said.

Last November, a wrongful dismissal lawsuit was filed by Cape Breton businessman Doug Milburn against the company he founded in 1995, Advanced Glazings Ltd., in regards to his removal as president and CEO earlier that month.

According to a statement of claim filed at that time, Milburn is seeking damages of one year's wages from Advanced Glazings Ltd. and its holding company Advanced Glazings Technologies Ltd. as well as additional damages based on the actions of company director John Gardner.

Milburn has said he was wrongfully dismissed and/or constructively dismissed from his positions at the company during a telephone conference board meeting Nov. 8.

Milburn says he was a dutiful and loyal employee and during his employment never received a verbal or written warning that his position was in jeopardy. The statement of claim refers to a clause in Milburn's contract saying if he is terminated without cause he will be entitled to an amount equal to 12 months of annual base salary less any money he owes to the company, as well as any accrued and unpaid salary and vacation pay up to the termination date.

After his removal as president and CEO of the company Milburn was offered a position as vice-chairman which he declined.

The two Cape Breton companies filed a statement of defence in Nova Scotia Supreme Court claiming Milburn quit his employment and was not wrongfully dismissed.

Advanced Glazings manufactures a product created by Milburn called Solera, a line of translucent, insulated glass designed to better distribute sunlight entering windows.

CBRM taking stock of heritage buildings

Section: Cape Breton

By Debbie Gwynn, Cape Breton Post

An inventory of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's heritage buildings is well underway.

Heritage researcher Jennifer LeBlanc presented an update of her inventory project at the CBRM's heritage advisory committee meeting.

LeBlanc was hired by the municipality's heritage association to produce a database of the approximately 282 religious structures within the municipality - in particular those built prior to 1914 - with some additional information on renovations that have already been carried out on these structures.

The project will serve as a foundation for a more complex compilation of other heritage properties, both business and residential, which will be added to the database in the future.

Bylaw officer Jamie Gillis spoke to committee members on alternative compliance standards in relation to work being carried out on heritage properties.

Alternative compliance standards allow for a relaxation of the rules in the National Building Code Regulations, where public safety is not compromised.

"You can bend the rules a little, if it's not going to affect how safe we are within the building," said Gillis. "Each building will have to be assessed on its own credentials."

Gillis admitted he has not had a great deal of experience dealing with heritage properties but with the recent designation of Sydney's north end as the second-largest heritage conservation district in the province, that's about to change.

The area is laden with buildings from Sydney's founding. Eight buildings were constructed between 1785 and 1802, with nearly 100 buildings more than a century old.

Among the buildings are Cossitt House on Charlotte Street, the oldest house in the city, and the Esplanade is home to O'Brien House and, next door, St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the oldest church in Cape Breton.

This year's budget for the municipal grant program available for heritage properties, up slightly from last year, is $20,800. To date the committee has received two applications eligible for the maximum amount of $6,000 and two for smaller grants of $4,000 each.

"Assuming that all these projects go ahead, we've pretty well committed almost our whole budget," said Rick McCready, heritage officer.

Cape Breton Fossil Centre hoping to boost visitor numbers

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Chris Shannon, Cape Breton Post

Jim Tobin is hoping for better days ahead for the Cape Breton Fossil Centre.

The museum, which has had financial trouble since it opened in July 2004, is looking to boost its visitor numbers by as many as 2,000 people this season.

Last year approximately 4,700 visitors toured the centre.

"The most special thing is that we're being able to get this chance to reopen again after all of the problems that we've had," said Tobin, president of the Sydney Mines Heritage Society.

"We're going to work extremely hard to make it a good attraction. If a person came in now to look at our guest book, it's phenomenal the things people have said about the fossils and the building."

The fossil centre contains displays of rocks, minerals, coal and fossilized plants that have been identified, catalogued and registered.

The lush green forests of 250 million to 350 million years ago left behind a fossilized treasure trove of large trees known as lepidodendrons and reed-like plants called calamites. Tree ferns were also a plentiful carboniferous plant during the period, with tree heights reaching more than 20 metres and trunks of a metre in diameter.

The 360-square-metre fossil centre, featuring a large exhibit area utilizing natural lighting, a classroom and a lab for visitors to study fossils in a multi-functional setting, cost more than $1.5 million to build.

But problems plaguing the centre in the past have included a dispute over the hiring of a curator, ownership of the fossils and a lack of government funding.

The society received $17,000 from the Community Museum Assistance Program, a provincial grant that will be divided between the centre and the Sydney Mines Heritage Museum next door.

Between the two museums, five students will be employed full-time this year including two students who have a background in university-level geology.

The three other students will work in the heritage museum.

The geology students will work alongside Dr. Stuart Critchley, a geologist from Newfoundland, who has taken on the job of volunteer curator at the fossil museum since 2005.

"(The students) will be doing tours and discuss the fossils with the visitors. They will be doing some lab work with the visitors and they will also go out sometimes on tours with Dr. Critchley," Tobin said.

"The last two years we had a geology student working here. She then finished her studies, graduated and went on to become a geologist in Alberta."

He said being able to attract skilled professionals to work at the museum has made for a more informative experience for visitors.

"It makes it very easy when you have a knowledgeable person like Dr. Critchley, who's thoroughly dedicated to the museum and making sure the museum does things right."

Advertising has been a continuous uphill struggle for the fossil centre. While it secured an ad in this year's Nova Scotia Doers' and Dreamers' guide, the centre mostly draws in crowds by news word of mouth.

Tobin said funding still isn't forthcoming for a sign on the Trans Canada Highway, which would alert tourists coming to and from the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal that the museum is only a five-minute drive away.

The museum doesn't have enough money of its own to pay for a sign that size, he said.

Smevo

May 20, 2008, 5:43 PM

Some links to videos on the CB Post website

Career Expo 2008 (http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=6737)

Marc Andre Fleury Day (http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=1628)

Ports Master Plan Announcement: 2007 (http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=1423)

Waves at Louisbourg during Tropical Storm Noel (http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=400)

Building demolition at Phalen Colliery (New Waterford/Lingan) (http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?main=broadcast&bcid=85)

And from the SYSCO website (the steel company, not the distribution one :P )
Demolition Video Gallery (http://www.sysco.ns.ca/videogallery.htm)

:cheers:

Smevo

May 22, 2008, 4:10 AM

Cape Breton Post

Digging up coal just one idea

Section: Comment

Once upon a time, coal was dug from the ground and burned. That was all there was to do with it. This powered the Industrial Revolution, and incidentally was largely responsible for creating the first industrial economy of Cape Breton and making the Sydney area the most populous part of the island.

Deep mining ended around the turn of the last century, though this may yet prove to be a hiatus rather than an extinction for undersea extraction of coal in conventional form. Xstrata Coal Donkin Ltd. and Nova Scotia-based partner Erdene Gold Inc. are proceeding with further underground work to firm up understanding of geological and geotechnical issues as well as mining conditions in preparation for a decision by the end of this year on whether to proceed with development of a commercial operation at Donkin.

That's the best known of the prospects for extraction of further economic benefit from the potential of the Sydney coalfields. But with the rising world obsession over new forms of energy and cleaner ways of using it, digging and burning coal is no longer the only idea in play.

Even burning coal in the conventional way could spawn a new method of exploiting deep resources through carbon capture and storage. That's a longer term prospect that's being explored in a preliminary way through the Carbon Storage Research Consortium, a modest $5 million program to pull together information to map out the most promising areas in the province for pumping carbon dioxide into the ground. No drilling is planned in this phase but a lot is already known about the coalfields in Cape Breton and northern Nova Scotia, two regions that obviously suggest themselves as possibilities.

Untapped coal seams are good for storing CO2, a greenhouse gas produced in large quantities by coal-fired electricity plants, for example. Cape Breton happens to have three of those - Lingan, Point Aconi and Point Tupper - and they would figure prominently in any serious plan to reduce climate-change emissions in Nova Scotia.

The technology is expensive and controversial. Its potential in Cape Breton may depend on how strongly governments, at both the federal and provincial level, catch the climate-change bug. Nova Scotia's climate-change action plan is supposed to be coming in the fall.

There's also the idea of using the storage of CO2 to help drive the extraction of methane, which is the valuable fuel also known as natural gas, from deep coal seams. All that would entail considerable infrastructure, however. For a touch of the exotic, Collin Harker, a Devco consultant, mentions that in some parts of the world coal itself is being gasified underground.

On a more modest scale, but also more immediately, serious effort is underway to investigate the prospect of using pumped mine water as a source of heat for large buildings such as the Glace Bay hospital or a new high school planned for that former mining town. As deep coal miners have always known, the Earth itself gets warmer the farther down you go.

How much of this will actually happen and when is anyone's guess. But the vast reserve of fossilized sunshine that created the original industrial Cape Breton may yet have something important to say about the future as well.

Advanced Glazings shareholders file lawsuit

Section: Front

By Chris Hayes,

A group of common shareholders of Advanced Glazings Technologies has launched a lawsuit naming two Toronto-based investment funds and a number of former or current directors.

Lawyer Jim Gogan said at a press conference an application was filed in Nova Scotia Supreme Court Tuesday alleging the investment funds and directors acted in an oppressive manner against the interests of the 35 common shareholders.

The legal application, which was launched under the Nova Scotia Companies Act, names Toronto-based investment funds Growthworks Canadian Fund, Walsingham Fund and an associated company, Englefield House No. 4 Inc., former directors Alisha Hirsch, John Gardner, Scott Pelton, Vince Mifsud and Tom Saunders, and current director Richard Black.

The Nova Scotia Companies Act deals with the rights and obligations of shareholders and requires that although a group of shareholders may hold voting control of a company they must act with due regard for other shareholders, said Gogan.

"The thrust of our allegation is the common shareholders have been disregarded, their interests have been ignored. Consequently, they have suffered damages as a result of that," said Gogan.

A statement released by Gogan at the press conference said the 35 shareholders feel the investment funds and directors took control of the Cape Breton company through the board of directors and acted recklessly in a way that was against the interests of the common shareholders.

The concerns of the common shareholders also include the firing of the former president, Doug Milburn, for what appeared to them to be personal reasons and without a backup plan, according to the release.

"They then failed to act when the company began to suffer a loss of senior employees. They also attempted to block a shareholder meeting and then ignored resolutions passed at that meeting," the release said.

The allegations against the investment funds and former and current directors have not yet been proven or disproven in a court. The legal documents filed by the common shareholders say the application will be made in court June 4.

Advanced Glazings produces Solera, a line of translucent, insulated glass designed to better distribute sunlight entering windows.

Last year, the company was named in a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by Milburn, who invented the energy-efficient glass and founded the firm.

Milburn is also one of the 35 common shareholders in the lawsuit.

In April, the company laid off most of its workforce citing cash flow problems.

Rob Nearing, who replaced Milburn as president, said earlier this month the company has recalled a handful of employees, has some new orders on the books and is talking to potential buyers and investors.

Nearing said Tuesday the lawsuit isn't relevant to the day-to-day operations of the company or his job.

"The good thing is the business is doing very well right now," he said. "The company is in good shape."

Tom Murphy of Sydney, one of the 35 common shareholders who are applicants in the lawsuit, said at the press conference he invested a "significant" amount of his savings in Advanced Glazings because he believed in the company and its product and felt he had an opportunity to make some money.

Murphy said he also believes in investing in local companies.

During the last few years, the future for Advanced Glazings looked brighter as it landed showpiece projects, he said.

Murphy said he couldn't understand the board's decision in the fall to fire Milburn without any replacement plans.

"After that, key employees started to leave and then things, as you know, fell apart," he said.

"The company and the value of our investment has certainly suffered," he said.

Norm Carmichael of Glace Bay, another of the applicants in the lawsuit, said he believed in Advanced Glazings and in supporting a local company when he made his investment.

"But basically, we were in this because we knew the company, we knew the people and we wanted to keep Cape Breton going. I think we all had high expectations but when these big money professional investors from Toronto joined us, we were sorely disappointed.

"Personally, I watched the company suffer under their control and I watched the value of the investment drop to nearly nothing and nobody wants, whether you are retired or not, to throw away money.

"But more important, it is a tragedy for the people who work for the company, for the investors and for the community and that's why I felt I had to join the lawsuit."

The board of Advanced Glazings is down to three people including Milburn, Black and Norton Campbell, the press conference was told.

The release noted businessman Ron Joyce is a sponsoring investor of Walsingham Fund.

Lobster fishermen say Lingan harbour turning into Lingan sandbar

Section: Glace Bay/New Waterford

By Sharon Montgomery,

Lobster fishermen say if they don't get help, Lingan harbour will turn into the Lingan sandbar.

Delbert Heinekemp said the harbour is filling with silt, leaving them stranded.

"Its very bad. I hit rock bottom coming in Monday."

He said sand from the Dominion sandbar is being pushed over the channel and the tide is filling in the bay and wharf area. Fishermen are worried about damaging equipment, busting blades and shafts.

"When there is low tide, we are beached. If this keeps up the bay will fill over and the harbour will have to close."

Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria, met with the fishermen to discuss the issue.

He said the last time there was any dredging in the area was 1978.

"It is at the point now some are scraping the bottoms of their boats coming in. There is concern over the whole Lingan Bay. If the shifting of sand continues, there is concern Lingan Bay will eventually be blocked off.

"All levels of government have to get involved in a long-term solution here."

Eyking said at one time there was a structure - a wharf and barrier - where Dominion beach meets the channel.

"There was a road across the channel as well, with pillars, which use to help, but it was taken down years ago."

Eyking said the New Waterford Fish and Game Association has also voiced concerned because fish habitat spawn there and Nova Scotia Power is also concern because it has an inlet and outlet at Lingan.

"There is constant maintenance for NSP to keep it clean. Sand is always shifting in the channel, in around the power plant."

Eyking is in the process of contacting the Minister of Fisheries Loyola Hearn.

He said the first step is for an assessment and recommendations by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Eyking said there was a similar problem in Ingonish about six years ago and the government stepped in and provided assistance.

"They had to put a breakwater in."

Robert Kelly, chair of the Lingan Harbour Association, keeps a pleasure craft at the harbour. He believes this is a serious problem.

"It's filling up with sand rapidly. The fishermen are getting stuck coming in the wharf, causing them all kinds of hardships."

Kelly said it is a natural harbour, in use for hundreds of years.

He said at one time they paid a small fee to DFO's small crafts and harbours for its use.

"They did their best to help us whenever they could in the past. They turned the wharf over to us a few years ago."

Fifteen boats use the Lingan harbour, which is adjacent to Dominion beach and the Lingan generating station.

The Cape Breton Post was told by DFO that its personnel are looking into whether or not the department is aware of the problems at Lingan Bay.

If you're into that sort of thing
Indoor car show set for Sunday

Section: Northside/Victoria

Column: Briefly

An indoor car show will be held at the Florence Community Centre, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. All funds go toward the upkeep of the Cape Breton Firefighters' Museum.

It is expected the car show will attract antique and custom cars from around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Some cars will also be displayed outside the centre.

For more information, call 736-8772.

Smevo

May 24, 2008, 4:28 AM

Cape Breton Post

Donkin mine project moves ahead with feasibility study

Section: Business

By Erin Pottie,

Developers researching coal potential at the former Donkin mine are moving ahead with a $3-million feasibility study.

Considered an interim step toward opening a large scale underground mining operation, the evaluation will explore coal quality and help establish a potential buyers market.

Ken MacDonald, vice-president business strategy and chief financial officer of Erdene Gold Inc., which partnered with Xstrata Coal Donkin Ltd. in the Donkin Coal Alliance, said the study will establish greater confidence in the project by providing geological, geotechnical and structural information. Coal extracted during the feasibility study will be marketed domestically and internationally to establish a customer base.

In addition, in-seam drilling has been completed and information collection for gas desorption rates and samples for coal quality evaluation are being processed.

"That's what this is leading toward, it is giving us greater confidence to make that full production longwall decision which is the larger scale, 3.5 to 5 million tonne per year operation," MacDonald said.

Assessing the targeted coal resource, found under the Atlantic ocean, makes drilling holes for information expensive. There has only been limited drilling on the site completed by Devco in the late 70s and early 80s. The Cape Breton Development Corp. abandoned the development of the mine in the 1980s, sealed the tunnels and allowed them to flood.

Costs of reopening the mine have been projected at $300 million. Erdene, which has 25 per cent stake in the Donkin Coal Alliance, and Xstrata, which owns the other 75 per cent, have said preliminary studies indicate the mine project will meet the economic returns consistent with earlier projections from November 2007.

The current feasibility study, utilizing a continuous miner, is expected to be completed by year's end. MacDonald said mine production could be possible as early as late 2009, or early 2010.

The targeted harbour seam contains an indicated resource of 101 million tonnes and an inferred resource of 115 million tonnes in the Donkin coal resources block following the dewatering and refurbishment of twin 3.5 kilometre tunnels. The coal has been classified as high volatile-A bituminous, high-sulphur, medium-ash coal.

More golf courses on the island are jumping on the condo/cottage bandwagon
Vacation homes project features variety of options

Section: Business

By Doug MacKenzie,

Cape Breton Resorts announced a new vacation property development Wednesday that will see the construction of full-sized homes, townhouses and condominium-style units at two Cape Breton Island locations.

The project, named Cape Breton Lifestyles, will also feature the sale of building lots and existing cottages at a third site.

"There's a great lifestyle here in Cape Breton and we want to offer a product that lets people from other parts of Canada and around the world come and experience it," said Scott MacAulay, owner of Cape Breton Resorts. "This is also a good alternative for Cape Bretoners living elsewhere who return for regular visits or who plan to retire here."

The vacation homes will be located at Cape Breton Resorts properties in the communities of Ingonish, Baddeck and Dundee, offering purchasers access to existing, high-quality resort facilities. Cottages and building lots are available for sale at Dundee Resort & Golf Club. Construction in Ingonish at the Cape Breton Resorts Glenghorm site has been underway for some time, with the first phase of the development already sold and the second phase being introduced this week. The final component of the Cape Breton Lifestyles project is slated for construction on a 10-acre site bordering the Bell Bay Golf Club property and offering lake access.

"We're really excited about these developments because you're able to own a piece of property on a resort with all kinds of activities which you, your family and your friends can enjoy," said MacAulay. "You can do what you want to do, as opposed to, a lot of cottage owners have to mow their grass, have to do the upkeep, whereas, all of those types of things will be taken care of for you."

At Kildare Landing at Bell Bay, 22 one-storey detached three-bedroom villas with loft or second-storey option and three two-storey units will be available with prices starting at $275,000 and including such perks as a 25-year membership at Bell Bay Golf Club.

Ingonish by the Sea will feature 19 one-storey three-bedroom villas with loft or second-storey option and two two-storey units located on North Bay Beach with prices starting at $270,000. Phase 1 of this plan has already sold out and Phase 2 will be released shortly.

At Dundee, the existing duplex cottage units will be sold at $154,000 plus tax and in Dundee Hills, 11 lots with prices starting at $119,000.

"Things have really evolved and I have seen the demand for this type of ownership," said MacAulay. "We're very pleased with the properties. They are in very good vacation destinations."

Hiring local workers and purchasing supplies from local suppliers is an important part of the project.

"We have already provided employment right here at home for a number of Cape Bretoners who would otherwise have gone to Alberta for work and we will continue to seek out local labour," said MacAulay.

"There's also a strong focus on accessing materials for this project from in and around the communities where the vacation properties will be located."

Different ownership alternatives will be offered for those who are considering purchasing a Cape Breton Lifestyles property, including whole ownership or 'fractional' ownership, which provides a number of weeks of use of a property over the course of a year.

"This is the way resorts are being developed everywhere in Canada and the U.S., with different types of vacation property ownership being offered within a resort," said MacAulay.

The Baddeck and Ingonish properties will also offer purchasers the ability to take part in a 'vacation exchange' system, which provides access to similar quality units elsewhere in the world.

Chamber asks council to drop lawsuit

Issue to be debated at special council meeting Friday

Section: Front

By Tom Ayers,

The Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce appealed to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to drop its lawsuit against the province at a meeting with the mayor and councillors, Wednesday.

Mayor John Morgan said if the lawsuit is not appealed, the municipality will continue to be underfunded by the province and it will bear an enormous debt. At the same time, nothing will be done to resolve the lack of services in the region compared to others in the province.

The closed-door meeting, held in the Cape Breton Partnership boardroom, was indicative of the problem with the chamber's position on the lawsuit, he added.

"Obviously the chamber doesn't want the litigation to proceed, but the reality is if we were to stop, it would result in an enormous burden on the taxpayers . . . absolutely devastating," the mayor said.

"At the end of the day, the important thing is the decision on this ought not to be made in the back rooms. From my perspective, I obviously disagree with their communication that we ought to withdraw."

Morgan said the citizens should have a say on whether the lawsuit is appealed and council will decide at a special meeting Friday morning whether to call for a plebiscite on the issue.

He said the chamber's call to drop the lawsuit would result in the municipality giving up its only bargaining chip, and the chamber position is being promoted by a small group of business people with ties to the provincial Conservative government.

"It's important that their position be vetted fully and publicly through the plebiscite process," said the mayor. "It shouldn't be just the rich elite."

"That's fine," chamber president Owen Fitzgerald said, adding the mayor did not express any concerns about political interference inside the closed-door meeting. "It's a democracy. He can say anything he wants."

The chamber's position that the lawsuit should be dropped was developed after a number of meetings and presentations with lawyers, experts and a committee of chamber members, Fitzgerald said. In the end, the position was approved unanimously by more than 40 members of the chamber's council, he added, not just the executive.

Chamber members include backers of all three political parties, Fitzgerald also said, and the members at Wednesday's meeting were intentionally drawn from various backgrounds in order to avoid politically stacking the odds.

He said the chamber has offered to broker a meeting between the municipality and the province to try to resolve the impasse, and chamber members are taxpayers and have a right to express their wishes to council.

"We agree that they're the elected officials, they're the ones that make the decision. We were just there to present the predominant view of the business community. It's as simple as that.

"We are sincerely trying to reach out our hand and work co-operatively with the municipality, not just the provincial government. It's unfortunate that it becomes an us-and-them situation.

"Although we have a difference of opinion, we all want the same thing. We all want what's best for the community, so we have to find common ground here."

Fitzgerald also said the mayor's comments haven't soured relations with the chamber.

"I think we had an excellent meeting with the council and the mayor."

The chamber and the mayor agreed that there are at least some areas in which the CBRM is being underfunded by the province, but Fitzgerald said the chamber believes that dialogue is the only answer.

"Our point of view is that working together is necessary to build a better economy. It has to get out of the courts before there's dialogue."

Fitzgerald also said political scientists who advocate a third way, starting economic development initiatives that require provincial support while suing the province at the same time, are not being practical.

"In reality, that's not going to happen," he said. "If you're being sued, you're not going to have dialogue."

Morgan said the call for dialogue or negotiations with the province is a "straw man" argument "pretending that there's somebody on the other side ready to negotiate.

"I think they're really putting forward a red herring with that. We've never indicated that we wouldn't talk to the province. In fact, every opportunity we've had to talk to the premier, and others, we've done that.

"The problem is the premier has said he thinks the system is fair."

The meeting was called by the chamber, with a few representatives of the chamber executive and members, and was attended by the mayor and 12 of 16 council members. Councillors Jim MacLeod, Vince Hall, Frank Morrison and Kevin Saccary were not in attendance.

At Friday's meeting, council will review the current status of the lawsuit, which was dismissed in Nova Scotia Supreme Court April 24, and will review the possibility of an appeal. It will also consider a resolution calling for a plebiscite on whether to appeal, to be held in conjunction with the fall municipal elections.

The meeting will be open to the public, the mayor vowed, and Toronto constitutional lawyer Neil Finkelstein will be on hand to present his opinion that the lawsuit is likely to succeed on appeal.

Statistics compiled by CBRM economic development manager John Whalley will also be presented. According to a brief supplied to councillors and media, the statistics show that CBRM's assessment compared to assessment in the rest of the province has dropped 37 per cent over the last 12 years, and its expenditures on a per-dwelling-unit basis were approximately 68 per cent of the average for Class 1 municipalities in Nova Scotia.

That represents a gap of about $1,000 per-dwelling-unit - a gap that has increased over the last decade, according to the brief.

The documents also state that CBRM's taxes are the highest in the province, and that the province has consistently short-changed the municipality by capping the amount of equalization payments, despite recent increases from the federal government.

Cable TV provider Eastlink is expected to televise the meeting live Friday morning, and it may be taped for rebroadcast at a later date.

tayers@cbpost.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Council agenda

Cape Breton Regional Municipality will hold a special council meeting in its chambers, second floor, civic centre, starting at 9 a.m. Friday. The agenda includes four items related to the municipality's lawsuit against the province.
Review of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia's decision to dismiss the lawsuit
Review of Toronto constitutional lawyer Neil Finkelstein's opinion on the possibility of an appeal
Review of CBRM's case for better distribution of equalization funds, with data compiled by economic development manager John Whalley
Consideration of a resolution to hold a plebiscite in the fall, asking the yes-or-no question: Should the CBRM proceed with its legal action against the province, if necessary to the Supreme Court of Canada?

School board member reports delay in start of construction of school

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Chris Shannon,

Construction of an elementary school needed to replace two deteriorating schools in North Sydney has been delayed by four months.

The local representative on the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, Charlie Keagan, learned of the news during a school board management committee meeting Tuesday evening.

He said this means students won't be entering a new P-6 school on the former St. Mary's school site in September 2009.

"Now, realistically, it's four months. Four months is not the end of the world," Keagan said. "But when you look at the time factor, you're talking three years and four months. People are going to be totally frustrated, parents particularly, who have their children bussed out to Florence (elementary) while this school was going to be built." Keagan said board members weren't given any reason for the four-month delay.

The Department of Education announced in April 2007 that a new $10-million elementary school would be built in North Sydney, which would replace two aging elementary schools, St. Mary's and St. Joseph's.

Construction was expected to begin sometime this spring, but a call for tenders hasn't happened yet.

Department of Education spokesperson Dan Harrison said Wednesday there has been a delay in completing the design of the school, which will have 14 classrooms, a gymnasium, an art room, a technology room, cafeteria, a family studies room and a library.

"The delay is being caused by a problem with getting the architect able to get the building designed in time and the expectation is that it is going to take longer than we initially planned and that'll then delay the tender and construction," Harrison said.

While Harrison added this is only an early indication and it's "not 100 per cent" certainty that the delay will last a full four months, the department had to be prudent in predicting when construction will go ahead.

"We still intend to undertake construction this year. We have budgeted in excess of $4-million for (this fiscal year) and we hope to get it moving as soon as possible, but if the delay in the design continues, as it looks like it's going to, that'll mean the school won't be completed until the end of the year, rather than September (2009)."

An estimated 148 St. Mary's students and 17 staff have been studying and working out of Florence Elementary School since demolition of St. Mary's began in March.

The board had to undertake extensive renovations to Florence school in order to accommodate the additional students while the new school is under construction.

Keagan said even with the influx of students there, it isn't a crowded school in Florence.

"Let's put it this way, they don't have as much space as they would have had in their own school," he said.

The projected enrolment for the new elementary school will be approximately 280 students.

Smevo

May 24, 2008, 4:41 AM

Cape Breton Post

No to plebiscite, yes (for now) to appeal.
Council rejects plebscite
Committee to explore possible arbitration with province

http://www.capebretonpost.com/photos/TheCapeBretonPost/stories/council2.JPG
Courtesy Cape Breton Post (http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=137433&sc=145)
Neil Finkelstein, lead lawyer with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality lawsuit against the province of Nova Scotia, speaks to Cape Breton Regional Municipality council during a special meeting Friday at the Civic Centre in Sydney. Doug MacKenzie - Cape Breton Post

DOUG MACKENZIE
The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — It took more than six hours of debate and discussion, but in the end nothing has changed in regards to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s lawsuit against the province of Nova Scotia.
The special council meeting was called to deal with the lawsuit — seeking a fair distribution of tax dollars based on a constitutional argument — which was dismissed by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court last month. The main motion, put forward by District 7 Coun. Jim MacLeod, asked for a plebiscite to be held during October’s municipal election so the people could decide on whether an appeal into the decision should go forward.
It was a motion which didn’t garner much support from fellow councillors, who defeated it by a 13-4 count. Voting for the motion were Mayor John Morgan and councillors Jim MacLeod, Vince Hall and Frankie Morrison.
“I was elected to make the hard decisions, not just the easy ones,” said District 16 Coun. Wes Stubbert. “Perhaps we should just abolish the council and have a plebiscite for every decision. We here had a have great difficulty understanding the lawsuit and the general public would have no idea.”
“We’re not looking for anything we don’t deserve and I support the lawsuit, but I am not in favour of a plebiscite,” added District 9 Coun. Tom Wilson. “The responsibility to make the decision is mine and I’m prepared to make the decision.”
But while the councillors chose to make the decision themselves, when the time came, they didn’t, opting instead to support a motion from District 14 Coun. Gordon MacLeod which will allow for a committee to be struck to explore an arbitration process with the province and then report back to council on the feasibility of such a process before a final decision on the lawsuit is made.
“It’s important that at some point in the future it will be back before council and we’ll make the final decision at that time,” said Morgan. “(Council) deserves credit for saying no don’t stop the appeal today, let’s try one more time.”
MacLeod’s motion passed by a 10-7 margin and while District 8 Coun. Ray Paruch would have preferred to have seen the issue resolved Friday, he understood the results.
“With all due respect, I think this is a very, very complex issue, by any stretch of the imagination and with the time limitations that we have between now and the election in October I think it would have been virtually impossible to arrive with adequate information and education for the public,” said Paruch, who voted against both motions. “I commend councillor MacLeod for his foresight and his drive and I think he’s working in the best interests of the people of the municipality.
“The only thing I hope is that we have fertile ground and I’m a little sceptical when I hear examples of trying to arrange meetings with provincial officials in the past and I’m very dubious we can put this together.”
Confusion over the lawsuit, which has cost the municipality $356,686 to date, was evident among the councillors, many who stated they thought the end result of a successful lawsuit would have meant immediate money for the municipality, when in actuality a victory would only give the CBRM a declaration they were not getting their fair share of equalization payments from the province and thus allow them to negotiate from a position of strength for increased payments.
Neil Finklestein, the lead attorney on the suit and one of the top constitutional lawyers in Canada, spent much of the first two hours of the meeting answering questions and explaining why he believes the CBRM has good grounds for appeal.
Finklestein, who wouldn’t give an estimate on the cost of an appeal, said councillors should have been expecting an appeal process since even if the ruling had been in favour of the CBRM it is likely the province would have appealed that result.
The mayor, who has stood behind the suit since the beginning, was disappointed with the failure of the plebiscite motion, but optimistic about the future.
“It’s not obviously the result I would like in the sense that my preference was obviously to have a plebiscite of the citizens,” said Morgan. “On the other hand the action continues to date and really, in essence, what the council decided was what I think is an appropriate process to continue to try to discuss this with the provincial government.
“To explore if there is another alternative . . . which from the beginning right through to the end of this process that is what we want — the provincial government to agree to a process that at the end of the day will get fairness for the citizens of the municipality.”

I'm a little behind, but I'll edit this in for now, and do the rest over the weekend. It explains the NSPC situation a bit more.

Daunting economic assignment starts with bite-size solutions

Section: Weekend Feedback

By Greg MacLeod,

Archbishop Desmond Tutu would love Dannie Hansen. A reporter asked the archbishop what he was going to do about the enormous problems of South Africa. Tutu in turn asked the reporter: "How do you eat an elephant?" The reporter had no answer, so the archbishop said: "One bite at a time."

The problems of Cape Breton are elephantine and impossible for us to solve by any one action. Hansen agrees with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's constitutional legal case but he proposes that we should not count on it (While Pursuing Constitutional Rights, Region Also Needs to Develop Its Plan B, May 12). He outlines a number of projects we could undertake now and calls that Plan B.

Hansen is very right in pointing out we have a variety of provincial and federal bodies that should be working together, regardless of any legal case. Although he lives in Mira, he says that downtown Sydney should be developed as a commercial centre for the region (at present development in downtown Sydney is opposed by some leaders from the other towns). Hansen promotes a united approach, believing that one strong commercial centre will benefit the total municipality.

CBRM councillors could easily make a resolution in favour of such a strategy for economic development. If the councillors are opposed to this, the provincial and federal governments cannot do much to help build an urban core.

Hansen suggests that Cape Breton politicians, regardless of party, should be involved in developing a strategy along with the mayor. Informally, this seems to happen. Conservative MLA Cecil Clarke and Liberal MP Mark Eking seem to work together. I have seen NDP MLA Frank Corbett and Clarke having coffee together in a restaurant; I think they were trying to solve a New Waterford problem.

But there should be systematic meetings. Politicians are elected not to serve the party but to serve the community. I don't know if our voters realize it but we have more power in the provincial legislature than we ever had.

Political scientist Tom Urbaniak, in the context of his Third Way (CBRM Should Sue and Sow, Not Sue and Wait, Letters, May 13), lists practical strategies that could improve our situation. He thinks we should focus on the harbour.

A practical improvement would be to request the province to set up a Crown corporation for the harbour with a director paid by the province, which could keep our harbour on the Halifax radar screen. Halifax and Strait ports have Crown corporations to lead in their development. Why don't we?

I would like to add a few bites to the lists suggested by Hansen and Urbaniak. I think we should have a four-lane, high-speed highway from Sydney through Iona to Port Hawkesbury. If needed, I would agree with a toll to pay for it.

Instead of trades people travelling to Alberta, they could travel to the Strait for work. There will be great developments along the Strait of Canso and that can help CBRM if we are smart. The shortest distance between Sydney and the Strait is through Iona. That was the original plan for the Trans-Canada but politics changed it.

CBRM is allotted about $3.3 million a year. If NSP were taxed like other businesses, we would get $ 11 million in property tax. We lose almost $8 million every year and local property owners must make up for that.

Victoria County has a similar problem. The Wreck Cove hydroelectric plant provides the municipality with $100,000 when the figure should be $300,000.

This is a manifestly unfair to CBRM and Victoria County. The ordinary citizen in Halifax would be able to understand this and I think that they would be sympathetic if it were well explained. The legislature should be able to change this. Would any Cape Breton politician dare refuse support for a provincial bill to correct such inequities?

Both Hansen and Urbaniak propose positive steps that should be taken. There has to be an umbrella body to lead on these initiatives. Hansen suggests that the Cape Breton County Development Authority could lead. It is funded by the province, CBRM and the federal government - our tax dollars; it has developed a number of strategies and it has an excellent website, but strategies are useless and a waste of time unless there are actions to carry them out.

CBCEDA should go on to the next stage and pick from the Hansen-Urbaniak list doable projects that are agreeable to all concerned. Once the partners agree, action should take place, and there should be an annual accounting of who did what and who blocked what.

Greg MacLeod is director of the Tompkins Institute, Cape Breton University.

Smevo

May 31, 2008, 5:31 AM

Starts for April were up 60% compared to April 2007.
Year to date starts are up 76% compared to 2007 at this time.

Completions for April were up 27% compared to April 2007.
Year to date completions are up 156% compared to 2007 at this time.

Under construction units in April were up 124% compared to April 2007.

By comparison nationally
April starts:
CMA totals up 1.5%
Large Urban Centres and Urban Agglomerations (non CMA greater than 50,000...also CBRM's category) is down 28.7%
Total areas greater than 50,000 down 1.0%

Year to date starts:
CMA totals up 15.9%
Large Urban Centres and Urban Agglomerations down 36.9%
Total areas greater than 50,000 up 11.6%

CBRM has the largest YTD % increase in housing starts in the Large Urban Centres and Urban Agglomerations category. (2nd largest YTD % increase for Total areas greater than 50,000, Barrie=1st)

This is when we start to get into the busier time of year, so the upcoming stats should provide a good indication of how we're faring, though I expect the trend of increase to continue. :cheers:

I'll catch up on the news stories over the weekend.

Smevo

Jun 2, 2008, 2:59 AM

Cape Breton Post

The Giant ready to launch Tuesday

Section: Business

By Tom Ayers, CAPE BRETON POST

Starting a new business in Cape Breton and employing 26 people is a pretty big deal these days. For NewCap Radio, it's Giant.

Sydney's newest radio station, Giant 101.9 FM, begins broadcasting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, after months of preparation.

General manager Dave Newbury said the company has invested in top-of-the-line equipment and research, and has found that listeners in this market want commercial radio to reflect their community through interviews and discussion of events, as well as news.

Along with a 'hits' music format, Giant will provide that kind of programming, he said.

"I think radio news in the traditional sense has always been stiff and formal and separate from the rest of the broadcast," Newbury said, adding that 101.9 FM is "not going to be stiff and formal. It's more about talking about the things that are going on in the community.

"Our research indicated that something the community wanted was news on the weekend, and we'll be providing that, as well. At no time will you hear newscasts that don't originate from our building."

The station's format will include hit songs from the 1980s and '90s, he said, "but predominantly it's going to be newer music. We did a tremendous amount of research here... and this was the format that came back," Newbury said.

The station plans to target the 18-54 age demographic and it will be skewed somewhat toward female listeners.

"What this format should do is provide a radio product that probably a mid-forties mom is going to listen to, but her teenage daughter will probably like, as well," he said.

Listeners have found music already being broadcast at 101.9 FM, which is a licensing requirement, and men have called to say they are enjoying it, too, Newbury added.

The station already employs 26 people full time, plus a stable of youths on a "street team" who will be involved part-time in promotions. Daryl Stevens is program director and Scott Boyd is the news director. The Giant has a four-person newsroom, four salespeople and five on-air personalities. The rest are in production and administration.

Newbury said despite the census data that indicate a declining and aging population in Cape Breton, research shows that there is still a good business climate in Cape Breton and that it is going to get better.

The introduction of big box retail stores and other business expansions bode well for the future, he said.

"This is an area where there's been, I guess, some hard knocks over the years, but I sense some pretty positive things being announced.

"I think the sky's the limit. Once one thing starts, it attracts another. I think you're going to see more and more of it as time goes on, and that's why we came here.

"I just came from Newfoundland and the feeling here is like it was there seven or eight years ago. I think it's exactly what it looks like. It's an economy about to take off."

In July 2007, NewCap Radio and local businessman Barry Martin were both awarded new commercial FM licences by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Since then, NewCap has acquired a 29.9 per cent stake in Martin's new station and both will operate out of a new building on Keltic Drive.

Martin's Q103.5 FM is expected to launch within a couple of weeks of Giant.

NewCap Radio is a wholly owned subsidiary of Newfoundland Capital Corporation, which owns 77 radio stations across Canada.

Council had a good day

Section: Comment

Friday was a good day for regional council even if perennial critics dismiss the outcome of the marathon session as a failure of nerve and a waste of time. Decisive rejection of the proposed plebiscite, by a vote of 13-4, was an unexpected display of self-confidence by a council just five months away from municipal elections. And the stratagem of effectively delaying a final decision on whether to pursue the constitutional case, while once again testing provincial willingness to explore some alternative, was a smarter move than the council may have fully realized.

The plebiscite would have asked voters in the fall whether the Cape Breton Regional Municipality should carry on its legal case, to the Supreme Court of Canada in necessary, claiming that the Nova Scotia government is failing to live up to its commitment on equalization and economic development under Section 36 of the Constitution. The majority of council was correct in seeing this issue as unsuitable for a plebiscite.

While the question can be reduced to yes or no, that simplicity is deceptive. The mayor and council launched this case and can't slough off the responsibility now. For Mayor John Morgan and the other strong advocates for the legal strategy, a decisive win in a plebiscite would have made it easier to keep the next council, and possibly even councils after that, on track to pursue the case to some conclusion. Keeping council together on this through elections is like herding cats, though Morgan was gracious in accepting council's new tack as an "appropriate process."

If this is done right, the Conservative provincial government will be put on the spot to respond in some substantive, convincing way to the overture from council and whatever community allies are brought on board. If the province, under a glare of public attention, fails to muster a credible response to the invitation for some process towards resolution of CBRM's issues, this will undermine completely any further arguments by interest groups or political challengers for negotiation instead of litigation.

Within the 60 days allotted to seek a resolution process, the argument may well come down to whether the province's response is sufficient to justify CBRM dropping the legal case. Vague promises of future discussion won't do it, nor will provincial demands that CBRM drop the case first as a pre-condition to any discussion about alternative process.

There is an opportunity that neither side should take lightly. Whether the province admits it or not, there is risk for itself and other senior governments - including the federal government - in letting the case proceed to a final determination even on the narrow question of whether s.36 in justiciable under the circumstances presented. As Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty regularly demonstrates with his complaints about federal treatment, even a province that doesn't get equalization can be keenly interested in how the system works and what it costs.

Surely none of these governments wants the courts butting in here, even in an abstract way. There's incentive for this province, and other governments in the country, to avoid the possibility that an adverse judgment from their vantage might yet be rendered on s.36.

Every effort should be made to preserve historic church in New Waterford

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

A group of concerned St. Leonard's parishioners met with the public in late April and presented our brief, Considerations. I explained the "historical and architectural aspects of Mount Carmel Church." I graduated from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, taught Art at Breton Education Centre, and am a watercolourist.

Mount Carmel Church is one of the last historic buildings in New Waterford. Constructed in 1911, it predates the town's 1913 incorporation. A $6,000 Casavant pipe organ was purchased in 1929. Fr. John MacKinnon had it appraised in the early 1980s at approximately $225,000.

In 1935, two paintings were added in the sanctuary: Christ the King and Our Lady. The artist, Guido Nincheri, had been an art professor at the University of Florence, Italy.

In 1933, Pope Pius XI made him a Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester for his art and cited him as a great artist of religious themes.

Nincheri was known as the Canadian Michelangelo.

He used Michelangelo's technique, called fresco, painting directly on wet plaster, making the paintings part of the fabric of the building. These paintings in Mount Carmel are the only works of art painted by Nincheri in Nova Scotia and are of historical as well as artistic importance.

In 1938-39 the 19 stained glass windows were completed by Nincheri who was also considered one of Canada's principal masters of stained glass.

In the late 1980s, Fr. Vern Boutilier had them valued from $50,000 to $70,000 each.

In the 1960s, three paintings in the sanctuary (The Assumption, the Resurrection and the Ascension) were completed by Mario, a Montreal artist.

As they are painted on canvas and glued to the wall, the chance of moving them to another location without damage is slim.

The Trifos report, which evaluated the six churches in New Waterford and area, says the interior of Mount Carmel "is even more impressive than the exterior. It has columns, ornate capitals, coffered ceilings, commemorative stained glass windows, large rose window and a Casavant Freres, 1929, pipe organ; these create a magnificent ecclesiastical interior design.

"The stained glass work and the pipe organ are exemplary pieces of ecclesiastical furnishings. The Roman windows have decorative quatrefoils at their tops, and create an impressive framework for the decorative glass. The architectural quality of the nave ceilings is exceptional in geometry, detailing, and colour accenting; the lofty, soaring arches and vaults create a sense of awe and inspiration in the quality of design and construction."

We thank Trifos for his splendid description of what our forefathers have gifted to us.

Vatican Council II documents on sacred art and sacred furnishings states that "sacred furnishings and works of value are not to be disposed of or destroyed."

Our committee feels that Mount Carmel should not be levelled because these works of art could not be moved successfully.

Every effort should be made to preserve Mount Carmel Church for its historical, architectural and artistic importance to New Waterford and the parish.

Richard Chiasson

New Waterford

St. Andrew's United Church named a municipal heritage property

Section: Front

By Erin Pottie,

St. Andrew's United Church has a new plaque mounted to its red brick entrance.

The structure was unveiled as a municipal heritage property Sunday, after church officials first requested heritage designation in June 2005.

Built in 1911 with bricks from the Mira brickyard, the church replaced a building on Pitt street which had served the congregation since 1888.

"We recognize the heritage and culture and the life of this particular building in the community and we put value on it, in the sense that it's worthwhile protecting and saving," said District 9 Coun. Tom Wilson, chair of the municipal heritage advisory committee.

Building plans for church, located at 40 Bentinck St., were prepared by the architectural firm Curry and Sparling of Toronto, apparently with considerable input from the Rev. John Pringle, who served as pastor at the time.

Both architects were involved in the design of a number of registered heritage properties in Toronto. Samuel Curry is probably best known for his work on the former Bank of Montreal building in Toronto, which is currently part of the Hockey Hall of Fame. William Sparling designed the Toronto Masonic Temple, now home to MTV Canada.

St. Andrew's United Church was built for $62,945 by the Rhodes and Curry Company and includes a pipe organ by the famed Casavant Brothers, purchased in 1910 for $5,595.

"We hope this will be a first step in getting provincial recognition of the building as well," said John Morgan, Mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality. "Certainly if we lose these treasures it will be a tremendous blow to our history."

Still carrying on the tradition of welcoming the Christian community to Sunday services, the building is also a stop for cruise ship visitors who often admire the building, said current pastor Rev. Stephen R. Mills.

"It's still services every week. A smaller congregation, but still lively and children involved; lots of things going on. It's a historic building, but we don't want it to be history."

Plans are in the works to have the building designated as provincial heritage site, which would include an application process similar to the municipal designation. Mayor Morgan said he expects those next steps will be taken in the near future.

Here's the church (image my own)
http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/86231136.jpg

Councillor says he is determined to see recreational facility built in Dominion

Section: Glace Bay/New Waterford

By Sharon Montgomery, Cape Breton Post

Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger is bound and determined to see a recreation facility built in this community.

And the Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillor for District 5 is going after the Cape Breton Development Corp.

"Devco owes this community. I believe Devco should take some responsibility for the community's losses and come back to help."

The community lost their high school and seniors recreational hall in 2002, after subsidence was discovered.

As a result the elementary school students, who used the high school's gymnasium, have since been bused to Bridgeport school for gym classes.

"The students need a gymnasium, the school is not adequate," said Bruckschwaiger.

As well the seniors, whose recreational facility was located in the same general area, lost their building to subsidence the same year.

"Dominion needs and deserves a facility that would house a gymnasium and space for seniors."

He said there is suitable space on the land adjacent to the former high school.

Bruckschwaiger began corresponding with Peter MacKay, minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, a couple of months ago.

In a letter to MacKay, Bruckschwaiger said funds were set aside for the remediation of the former Devco mine sites and Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. is selling off land formerly owned by the Devco and the proceeds are going into ECBC programs.

"Considering that our high school was lost because of undermine workings from former Devco mines I certainly believe that we qualify, considering our loss."

Bruckschwaiger has met with officials from the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board and ECBC.

The emphasis right now is on a plan for the building, he said.

Bruckschwaiger also discussed the issue with local school board member Kevin Ruelland, who has since gone to the school board to have the issue of a gymnasium for the school put on the priority list.

Members of the home and school association are going to the school board to request the gymnasium become the number one priority.

But Bruckschwaiger wants this facility to be more than just a gymnasium.

The project before the school board is a small gymnasium from 6,000-7,000 square feet, at a cost of $1.2 million.

Bruckschwaiger wants to see a larger gymnasium with space for seniors, at a cost of about $1.6 million.

"Money will have to also come from other sources to see this happen, we will need help from the provincial and federal governments.

"We have to get financial consideration from other sources and I believe Devco should be one."

D.A. Landry, spokesperson for ECBC, confirmed officials from the agency have met and had discussions with Bruckschwaiger regarding a building.

"The notion of possibly helping to fund a plan or study has been discussed, we haven't committed to anything at this time."

Landry said an actual commitment will be finalized upon receipt of the estimate of cost to develop the plan.

Bras d'Or to be nominated as a UN biosphere reserve

Section: Northside/Victoria

The Bras d'Or Biosphere Reserve Association is nearing completion of a formal document nominating the Bras d'Or Lake as a biosphere reserve under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Man and the Biosphere program.

The association will submit this 140-page document next month to Canada's Man and the Biosphere Office in Ottawa.

In addition to detailing the lake's unique natural history, the nomination document focuses on the human element of the ecosystem.

Once Canadian officials are satisfied that the project meets the United Nations requirements, they will nominate the Bras d'Or Lake as a UN biosphere reserve.

The final decision on the lake's status will come from the Paris headquarters of UNESCO as early as the fall of 2009.

People who live around the lake will get a chance today to hear a detailed presentation of the reasons for establishing the Bras d'Or and its watershed as a UN biosphere reserve, when the association holds its second annual general meeting at 7 p.m. in the Bras d'Or Community Hall (St. Joseph's Parish) in Little Bras d'Or. The meeting is open to the public.

Following a presentation of the qualities that make the Bras d'Or a candidate for biosphere reserve status, the association will hear from Peter Etheridge, chief executive officer of the Fundy Biosphere Reserve - Canada's newest biosphere reserve.

He will describe the benefits of having a community receive biosphere reserve status.

Smevo

Jun 2, 2008, 3:20 AM

Cape Breton Post

Group hopes to have Bras d'Or Lake designated a UN biosphere next year

Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association hosts annual general meeting

Section: Front

By Tom Ayers,

Documents promoting the Bras d'Or Lake as a world-recognized biosphere reserve should be ready early in 2009 and the group behind the effort hopes to have the designation finalized later next year, said Bras d'Or Lake Biosphere Reserve Association chair Teresa MacNeil.

"We're almost ready now," she said after the group's second annual general meeting was held at St. Joseph's Parish Hall in Little Bras d'Or, Monday evening.

A draft of the documents nominating the lake as a biosphere is available on the group's website and 50 copies have been circulated among various interest groups and government agencies and departments, said MacNeil.

The group plans to incorporate comments and suggestions and will produce a final draft shortly, which will then be prepared for submission to the Canadian office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The group also hopes to have federal, provincial and municipal government approvals on the plan before sending it to UNESCO.

Having the Bras d'Or Lake watershed recognized as a biosphere reserve would afford some protection for the core areas within the watershed, and offer opportunities for research funding and sustainable development, including tourism, said group secretary Jim Foulds, a retired Cape Breton University biology professor.

"I just think it is to create amongst ourselves an interest in it and an appreciation of a precious commodity," added MacNeil.

About 30 people attended the annual meeting. One woman, who declined to give her name, expressed concern over the designation, saying it would lead to "zealous ecologists" regulating her farm business and "telling us what we'll have shoved down our throat."

MacNeil said the UN designation comes with no authority, so farmers, forestry workers and mining industry representatives should not worry about new regulations affecting their business.

"It can't happen because there's no power to do so," she said.

Cape Breton University researcher Bruce Hatcher, a member of the biosphere reserve association, agreed.

"It's like being on the dean's list at university," he said. "It means you done good."

However, he added, it makes it easier to apply for research funds for a world-recognized area.

Ken Jardine, an area resident who lives along the shore of the Bras d'Or Lake, said he knew very little about the biosphere plan until he attended the meeting Monday, but was concerned that it might impact him as a landowner.

He said after the meeting he has no concerns about the Bras d'Or being named a biosphere reserve.

"It seems to me this is the ecological equivalent to a Nobel prize," he said. "It's a recognition thing."

Information on the plan, including maps and the draft nomination form, can be found at www.blbra.ca (http://www.blbra.ca).

And the NIMBYs start on the container terminal (though they seem to have not read anything about it...as usual). :rolleyes:
Terminal plan has pros and cons

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

To say I am very concerned by the announcement of a proposed container terminal in Sydney Harbour would be an extreme understatement. Bigger is not always better; sometimes, as in the case of the Titanic, it just leads to bigger disaster.

The pros and cons of this proposal, as I see them, are as follows:

Pros:

-- it will take away business from the Port of Halifax;

-- Texans will gain from increased rail traffic;

-- missing military toxins may be found in dredging;

-- future oil, easily shipped away, may be found on the island.

Cons:

-- increased risk of environmental disaster (bigger oil spills);

-- increase in harmful drugs and criminal activity;

-- too close to populated areas in case of disease outbreak or terrorist threat;

-- harm to fishery by increased possibility of invasive species.

I also question where potentially toxic sludge dredged from the harbour will be dumped.

Cathy Theriault

Point Edward

I could show how each of her arguments is flawed, but I'll just say this.
It's working in cooperation with Halifax and Melford, we already have ships from all over the world entering the harbour, the dredged material will be used on the terminal site as fill.

Smevo

Jun 2, 2008, 3:57 AM

Cape Breton Post

Chamber speaker, president tout economic turnaround

Section: Business

By Tom Ayers, CAPE BRETON POST

Joe Shannon, a well-known Port Hawkesbury businessman and former president of the Cape Breton Development Corporation, says the local economy has undergone a positive change since the closure of the coal mines and the steel plant.

"When we closed the coal mines, I think that on a scale of one to 10, with 10 being successful, the community and the attitude towards success and hopefulness was around a one or one and a half," he said in an interview prior to a speaking engagement at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, Tuesday.

"And I think it's now around six or seven, and that's quite a turnaround."

About 160 people gathered at the convention centre for the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce's annual general meeting, and to hear Shannon, the event's guest speaker.

He credited Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. and local business owners with making the transition to a new economy, and doing it rather well.

"The Sydney chamber members and businesses are investing more in their businesses and working harder than ever, but they're having more fun," said Shannon.

"People are working, there's 'help wanted' signs all over. At one time, the biggest single problem in Cape Breton was access to capital. Today, it's access to a skilled workforce."

Shannon said despite the loss of significant numbers of jobs with the closure of the mines and the steel plant about eight years ago, property values have continued to rise and new businesses have been established, "so I think there's a lot of hope for people in Cape Breton."

Chamber president Owen Fitzgerald expanded on the theme of hope for the future, citing a lengthy list of successful chamber projects and new business initiatives in the region.

He said the chamber has taken a stronger leadership role in the community, collaborating with businesses, government agencies and politicians to improve the economy and the community in general.

For example, Fitzgerald said, the chamber helped establish a new Sydney Ports Council and Laurentian Energy has announced the development of a $200-million container terminal for the port.

Fitzgerald said he has already been approached by one young person looking for information on how to get a job at the proposed terminal.

"This guy saw opportunity and this guy saw hope, and that's pretty significant," he said.

Other major developments include the $300-million Louisbourg Resort, $300-million Xstrata Coal Mine proposal at Donkin, $400-million tar ponds cleanup, Devco mine remediation projects, and other multi-million-dollar commercial and retail developments near the Mayflower Mall and in downtown Sydney.

"I think all of that adds up to something like $2 billion in projects," Fitzgerald said.

At its annual general meeting, the chamber also presented former Advanced Glazings president Doug Milburn with its Most Outstanding Chairman award, for his work on the chamber's Council on Innovation, which is exploring new ways to encourage and support innovative business start-ups.

I'm surprised Fitzgerald decided to mention that one person asked him about a potential job at the container terminal.
As for developments, there's most definitely been a turn-around.
As for optimism which you can't measure quantitatively but can sense while in an area, there's been a large turn-around in the area as well.

Had to throw this one in
All evidence suggests legal case is CBRM's only avenue to get taken seriously

Section: Comment

Column: Darrell Kyte

By Darrell Kyte,

Choosing a topic on which to write is one of the many joys of writing columns. Most times a topic comes readily, as was the case with this one.

My fiancée and I were having a vigorous discussion regarding the merits of the "judicial activism" label and of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's legal challenge against the province as we waited to board a flight a week and a half ago. Our conversation was quite spirited, and it inspired this column.

The lead editorials in the National Post and Globe and Mail were the impetus for our discussion. Both the Post and Globe were criticizing the Supreme Court of Canada's recent ruling in a case regarding the youth justice system. The editorials reasoned that the ruling of the court amounted to a judicial step into the policy world.

The editorials acknowledged that the court adopted an overly expansive view of Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to strike down recent amendments to the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Section 7 guarantees everyone "the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice."

The court held that subjecting young offenders to adult sentences and allowing their names to be published would violate the principles of fundamental justice.

It is clear the supreme court makes rather broad rulings on many legal questions, the recent ruling on the youth justice system being but one. It seems logical to assume that if CBRM's legal challenge failed at the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal and made its way to the Supreme Court of Canada, it would have a decent shot at succeeding.

CBRM's case is based upon a broad interpretation of Section 36 of the Constitution. Justice John D. Murphy of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruled that CBRM's challenge was a policy matter best settled out of court; however, the Supreme Court of Canada may disagree. And, of course, the Supreme Court of Canada is not bound by the decision of any lower court.

We should be reminded, however, as my colleague David Johnson wrote in these pages last week (Political Insights: Regional Politicians Have to Grab Both Horns of Dilemma to Earn Public Support, May 21), that the legal action would take a few years to work its way through the courts.

As a result, he suggested the municipality adopt a two-pronged approach to deal with regional decline: pursue the legal case and champion community development at the same time.

I believe it would be ideal for the municipality to implement a two-pronged approach to deal with regional decline. The municipality has limited means, however, and it would be extremely difficult for it to provide generic services, fight a constitutional battle and champion local initiatives to develop the community.

The near criminal neglect shown by the provincial and federal governments in dealing with the community's decline is the real story. Although the municipality has pleaded its case, neither level of government has acknowledged the grim statistical reality. The merry-go-round of denial is exasperating and troubling.

Rather than acknowledge and address the concerns of CBRM, the province profoundly insulted Cape Bretoners. The Crown attorney in the CBRM case suggested that Cape Bretoners are "hillbillies."

The hillbilly remark was disgraceful, petty, mean-spirited, vindictive and perverse. Make no mistake, when a Crown attorney speaks he or she speaks for the province. The remarks reflect a colonial attitude at odds with democratic governance.

Many suggest dialogue with the province is a viable option. How on earth can you have an honest dialogue and negotiate with a partner who believes you to be a bunch of hillbillies?

I pose this question to the Chamber of Commerce, members of council, MLAs, MPs and any other luminaries who believe dialogue to be a realistic option.

CBRM has attempted to engage the province in a serious dialogue for at least a decade, with little result. I have long supported the legal case because all the evidence suggests it is the only way that CBRM's concerns will be taken seriously.

The lawsuit represents CBRM's last and only bargaining chip in its quest to sustain the viability of the community.

Darrell Kyte teaches political science at Cape Breton University.

I heard a rumour about the "hillbillies" comment, and wish I could know for sure whether it actually happened or not. I'm sure only a minority of mainlanders would actually agree with this tag, but when a Crown Attorney representing The Province uses it, it certainly doesn't help relations any. And it's not some small rural town they're referring to either, it's the second largest municipality in the province, with the fourth largest urban population by StatsCan standards in the Maritimes (fifth in Atlantic Provinces) within a CMA/CA at 78,141. Fredericton is nearest below us with 56,245 and Saint John is nearest above us with 92,722. By Atlantic standards, that's a very significant urban population.

A major hurdle cleared for the new Jr. High in Glace Bay.
'A site has been selected'

New junior high school will be built on Wallace's Road

Section: Front

By Sharon Montgomery, Cape Breton Post

The community's new junior high school will be built on Wallace's Road.

That long-awaited announcement was made by Nova Scotia Education Minister Karen Casey in the legislature in Halifax, Tuesday.

Glace Bay MLA Dave Wilson said he has been waiting to hear those five little words 'a site has been selected' for years.

"I am so happy. It's a question I have been asking the past five years," said the Liberal MLA. "We needed (the school) yesterday. Casey promised the process will now move quickly, will go full steam ahead.

"That to me was the best news I could hear."

Three parcels of adjoining land on Wallace's Road have been purchased for the new junior high school from the Knights of Columbus, Sisters of St. Martha and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Construction of a new junior high in Glace Bay was announced in 2003. The building was originally slated for completion in 2007 and then in 2009, however failure to find an appropriate location along with some financial restrictions delayed the process.

About 20 sites were tested, however many revealed subsidence and undermining problems and eventually the sites were narrowed down to Wallace's Road and one on the Donkin Highway .

Dan Harrison, communication adviser for the Department of Education, said the process can now move forward.

"Our plans show September 2010 as the date the new school will be ready for occupancy," he said.

Harrison said geotechnical and engineering tests that included drilling to the core were conducted on the land and took longer than expected.

"We tried to be extra cautious to make sure it would be a good site for the school."

He said the next step will be the design phase, conducted by an architect and engineering team, then the tendering process.

He said the department has $1.1 million allocated this year for the design and site preparation, which could also include some construction during the April 2008-April 2009 fiscal year.

Construction will take 18 months, he added.

"It is hard to say when an actual shovel will be going in the ground," he added.

Smevo

Jun 2, 2008, 4:26 AM

Cape Breton Post

Hawkes community clubendorses recreation centre idea
Section: Comment

The Dominion Community Hawks club is celebrating 20 years of promoting sports, good health and fitness in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. We do this by supporting worthwhile projects with money we raise.

Our main beneficiary over the years was MacDonald High School where we donated well over $100,000 to help teachers, coaches and students maintain programs.

We are very proud of the work we have been able to do. Enabling students to excel in hockey, basketball, badminton and cheerleading, progressing until graduation, is a credit to all involved. We've seen our students taking part in college sports because of the gymnasium we had at the school.

The gym was also used after school hours and was the focal point in our town. At school concerts as many as 500 would come to support our children; tournaments were a highlight which brought parents from all over Nova Scotia; dances were held monthly to help raise revenue to support school activities.

The recreation that took place at the school and gym was an attraction to young families who moved to our community. It was indeed a very sad day when we lost our school. We need recreation facilities more and more to stem the tide of our young people moving away, and to keep them healthy and fit.

All levels of government must act to help communities such as ours with a program to provide the necessary infrastructure so our citizens can enjoy what we need and deserve. The next step is a new recreation centre, and the Dominion Community Hawks Club fully endorses this worthwhile project.

John Stefura Dominion Community Hawks president

Davies won't seek District 2 seat

Section: Glace Bay/New Waterford

Bill Davies, who announced in March that he would be seeking the District 2 seat on the Cape Breton Regional Municipality council in the upcoming October election, has dropped out of the race.

Davies, of Glace Bay, said his decision to withdraw is based on health reasons.

"I would like to thank those who supported me and I had a lot of support."

District 2 is currently represented by Kevin Saccary. The district includes the Caledonia and South Street areas of Glace Bay, as well as the communities of Port Caledonia, Donkin, Port Morien, Tower Road, Birch Grove, Broughton, Homeville, Black Brook, South Head and Round Island.

Another site to add to the list to visit while I'm home at the end of the month.
Historical society planning for new museum

Section: Northside/Victoria

The North Sydney Historical Society is currently involved in planning for a new museum on Commercial Street, next to the library.

Plans are to construct the first phase, a showroom for the LaFrance fire engine, during the summer.

Right now a low bed trailer is being constructed for the society and this will enable the fire engine to be transported to various venues and parades throughout Cape Breton.

The museum is open for the summer season. It's located at the rear of the library in the basement. Historical society president Jim Walsh said he was happy to announce the arrival of three summer students - two of whom are funded by a 13-week provincial government grant and one student who is funded through the federal government for an eight-week placement.

The museum's summer hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and 12-7 p.m. on weekends throughout June. During the months of July and August the museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and 12-8 p.m. on weekends.

Signs of the times

Local businesses show their support for QMJHL draft

Section: Sports

Local business owners are showing their support for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Session and Draft by displaying welcome signs in their storefront windows.

"How exciting it is for our community to host the draft," said Marjorie Fougere, president and owner of Finishing Touch Centre and president of the Sydney Downtown Development Association.

"It's a great opportunity to not only showcase our talent, but to also promote our unique downtown. With so much to offer our visitors, they're sure to enjoy our friendliness, our services and our products."

Close to 1,000 participants are expected to attend the draft, being held in Sydney this year, June 4-7.

According to Fougere, the SDDA is helping local companies post welcome signs so draft participants know they're open for business and strong community partners in events such as the draft.

The draft is expected to result in $2 million in spin-offs for the local economy, according to a draft committee release.

"The local businesses have shown their support from day one," said draft committee co-chair Anita DeLazzer.

"The signs they are putting up welcoming draft participants is yet another testament to their community-mindedness and willingness to help out. When the participants see the signs, they'll know Cape Breton is welcoming them into their community and that means a lot."

Draft committee co-chair Donnie Morrison said it's especially important that the players feel comfortable.

"The draft is first and foremost about the players themselves," said Morrison.

"Making them feel welcome and supported during this special time in their lives is important. Feeling welcome wherever they go while in Cape Breton is key to ensuring they have a positive experience - our downtown and local businesses are making sure that happens."

Smevo

Jun 2, 2008, 5:03 AM

Cape Breton Post

New Kia building latest example of MacDonald family's confidence in Cape Breton economy

Section: Business

By Doug MacKenzie,

A Cape Breton car dealership will open its first green showroom and service centre, Monday.

MacDonald Auto Group will unveil their new 12,000 square-foot Kia location, built by Silver Grey Building Solutions at an estimated cost of $2 million, which features an energy-efficient structure and in-floor radiant heating.

The site will also house the MacDonald Auto Group central appointments communications centre which will handle all calls concerning service needs, not only for Kia, but the other MacDonald franchises, Lloyd MacDonald Nissan, Breton Toyota and MacDonald Suzuki.

"It's all about customer service for us and we want to be the best at customer service," said 46-year-old son Ron MacDonald, who along with brothers Jim, 51, Chris, 50, and Mark 45, co-own the dealerships. "We needed a new Kia building, but we wanted to be the best at service in the area so we focused on this a lot when we designed the communications centre."

MacDonald said he and his brothers feel the Cape Breton economy has turned a corner, which is why they have continued to enjoy success in the competitive automobile market.

"Cape Breton has turned the corner, at least we think it has," he said. "With the new port coming in and the tar ponds cleanup underway, the future is good for Cape Breton and I don't think there is any question of that."

The MacDonald success has been shared with the community as well, and while a number of their projects are kept quiet, MacDonald said they are proud of their work with Loaves and Fishes.

"The community has been very good to us and so it's important to us to give back," said MacDonald. "And I always make sure I take my kids down so they can appreciate what they have."

With four franchises and 130 employees, MacDonald Auto Group has come a long way from the original Datsun franchise opened by Lloyd MacDonald 40 years ago.

"When Dad started out he took 50 burnt orange Datsun 510s because that's all he could get," said MacDonald, while pointing out his 77-year-old father still comes to work every day at 8 a.m. "He went to the bank and borrowed $300. $100 was for the mortgage on his house, $100 was for the new cars and $100 was for groceries because he had eight kids at the time.

"I never looked at it as how far we would go. We just worked really hard every day and if you put hard work into it, Dad always said rewards would come. We don't look at it like we have to get to a certain point, we just come to work and work hard."

I always thought MacDonald owned more dealers than that. Even still, the family's done extremely well for itself.

Container port proposal driven by credible development partnership

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

In just a few short months considerable progress has been made in advancing an ambitious development program for Sydney ports. It began with the release of a far-sighted Ports of Sydney Master Plan. A highlight is the announcement of a joint venture between Laurentian Energy and Galaxy SARL to build a $200 million container terminal at Sydport.

Coupled with other significant planned developments, such as the movement of elevated volumes of bulk cargo and passengers, the ports have the potential to sustain the equivalent of about 9,000 jobs yearly - a compelling number.

Over the years the community has seen announcements of big projects come and go without the materialization of promised benefits. So what's different about the proposed container terminal that elevates its chance of success?

A lot, actually. Perhaps the most important distinction is the nature of the joint venture that underpins the project. It's a business relationship based on a carefully considered plan, opportune timing, available equity and a unique project development model.

Galaxy wears several hats in relation to the Sydport container terminal. It comes to the table with a wealth of knowledge, hands-on experience in port development, direct access to investment capital and a strong working relationship with container terminal designers, builders, operators and carriers. All of this is being brought to bear on the project.

The development company that is committed to seeing the project through to completion is energized, deliberate and results-driven.

Galaxy is fuelling the venture in a decidedly pro-active fashion.

We are a proud and enduring community. How we have responded to, and come to the support of, the Ports of Sydney Master Plan speaks to our character. It's very much something that has helped to advance the container terminal project to this stage.

This is an exciting time for us all. Together we can reshape our economic future around the ports.

Norma Boyd

Sydney Marine Group

ECBC mandate under review

Section: Comment

It's sometimes said that the best thing about Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. is the jobs. That means not the jobs it creates through its programs but the 42 jobs in its offices. While that's a valid reason in itself for supporting the agency's continued presence, the argument is also a droll example of how Cape Bretoners often think about government bureaucracy: regardless of what it does, and even if it does nothing, it employs office people and those jobs may as well be here as in Halifax or Moncton.

There's another sense in which the core value of ECBC is in its people, pardon the cliché. Those who've actually worked in economic development know that bringing projects to fruition is a detailed and tedious process built on teamwork and intimate knowledge of available resources and people in their communities. Whatever tweaking is done to ECBC's mandate or programs in the months ahead, the skill and knowledge capacity developed within the agency since its legislative inception in 1987 must be counted as a key asset worth preserving.

The Cape Breton economy has been dying, transitioning or recovering, depending on who's talking, for more than 40 years. ECBC is the successor of Devco's industrial development division, brought into being in 1967 to help develop an alternative to coal mining, which was to be phased out (a job that took more than 30 years, as it turned out). Now, of course, there's furious argument about whether this region is turning the corner or hitting the wall. Whichever it is, the region needs all the capacity it can muster, both public and private, not only money but business development know-how and experience.

ECBC has found itself the centre of controversy the last few years, due in no small part to conflict over governance style and personality originating at the top, as well as political debate not so much about the ECBC's performance as whether this is sufficient as the lead effort of senior government in a region suffering catastrophic economic loss. This period has also seen the expenditure of some $100 million through the Cape Breton Growth Fund, an entity separate from ECBC but closely connected through the person of Rick Beaton, the mercurial chief executive whose often stormy tenure ended last year.

Initial concerns among some business and political people about a major independent review of ECBC's mandate, cost and effectiveness, also looking at the growth fund, should be eased somewhat by the five-year appointment of former Sobeys executive John Lynn of New Glasgow as ECBC chief executive and vice-president. Perhaps more to the point, Marlene Usher, who's been filling in and is a member of the steering committee overseeing the review, due for completion sometime this summer, has said she doesn't expect major changes to result.

A 41-year pedigree, 21 in its current incarnation, can be cited as an indictment of the ECBC experiment. Why, after all, hasn't it managed to solve the Cape Breton puzzle in so much time? On the other hand, that history, spanning economic upheavals in Cape Breton as well as numerous political changes in Ottawa and Halifax, is also proof of how stable and adaptable the Crown agency approach has been here. It's that adaptability that needs to show itself again as ECBC resets its focus as a key player in Cape Breton's economic future.

Smevo

Jun 3, 2008, 2:34 AM

Cape Breton Post

GMAT exam will be available to business students at CBU

Section: Business

Aspiring business school students in Canada have a new way to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the entrance exam used by more than 4,000 graduate business schools around the world.

A mobile testing unit this summer will travel to 14 universities in cities across seven Canadian provinces. This trip represents the GMAT Mobile Test Centre's first trip outside the United States and its third transcontinental journey overall.

The unit will be at Cape Breton University Wednesday and Thursday with tests running at 9 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. in the Student, Culture and Heritage parking lot. Those interested need to register for the exam at least 24 hours in advance; walk-ins are not accepted. To take the GMAT at a mobile testing unit location, visit mba.com or call 1-800-717-GMAT (4628).

The GMAT Mobile Test Centre is a converted city bus outfitted with the same high-tech facilities as a traditional bricks-and-mortar GMAT test centre. The mobile testing centre is designed to provide access to the exam for students who may live many miles away from a regular test site.

John MacKinnon, dean of the Shannon School of Business at CBU, recently toured the mobile facility at the annual meeting of the Canadian Federation of Business School Deans in Ottawa.

"It's an impressive facility that better connects those interested in graduate business studies, such as our MBA program in community economic development, with that important first step - the GMAT. We're pleased CBU is one of the Canadian stops and believe the opportunity to take the test a little closer to home will be appreciated by many."

The GMAT Mobile Test Centre includes six computerized testing stations, electronic security systems and high-speed satellite communications equipment. Testers on the bus undergo the same identity procedures and take the exam under the same controlled conditions as their counterparts who visit permanent GMAT facilities. These measures include fingerprint-recording, digital photography and closed-circuit television monitoring during the exam.

Begun as a pilot program to increase access to the exam for students in rural and/or remote areas in fall 2006, the bus visited nearly 50 locations between October 2006 and May 2007. A second seven-month tour in 2007-08 included 28 colleges and universities.

The GMAT is a standardized exam used to screen applicants by admissions professionals at more than 4,000 graduate business programs around the world. Launched in 1954, the GMAT is today administered more than 200,000 times annually at testing centers worldwide.

Information on the GMAT is available at www.mba.com. The test is owned by the McLean, Va.-based Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a non-profit organization of leading business schools around the world.

Visit www.gmac.com for more information.

Still a lot of commentaries on the lawsuit. Trying to filter out and only post the ones that are more thought-out.
Council out of sync with the public

Section: Comment

Further to Darrell Kyte's recent commentary (Political Insights: All Evidence Suggests Legal Case Is CBRM's Only Avenue to Get Taken Seriously, May 28), I cannot remember an issue on which the expressed opinion of our council seemed so out of step with public opinion than is the case with the equalization issue.

In a recent online reader poll conducted by the Cape Breton Post, 85 per cent of respondents indicated that regional council made the wrong decision on whether to put to a plebiscite the question of appealing the first decision in the municipality's constitutional case. The poll result accurately reflects my own experience when I speak with people in the community.

Unfortunately, council's decision to deny a plebiscite, along with the expressed opinion of the Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce that there should be no legal action, is interpreted by provincial officials as indicating that a majority of people in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality agree with the provincial position that CBRM residents are being treated fairly.

This is why Municipal Relations Jamie Muir, in a radio interview this week, indicated that the provincial government is not going to budge from its position. If anything, council's decision appears to have strengthened the provincial view that there is no need to negotiate with a bunch of hillbillies.

The provincial agents in our community have effectively denied the public the right to clearly express their view on whether to proceed with legal action as the only available remedy, using the argument that the public isn't smart enough to understand the issue. Many well-intentioned "leaders" have been cleverly manipulated and many have bowed to partisan interests.

The result is that residents throughout our region pay much higher tax rates and receive much lower levels of municipal service than residents who live in other communities throughout Nova Scotia. And this injustice will continue.

Our public is way ahead of most of our elected officials on this issue but we are afraid to allow the public to vote. Somehow I don't think our veterans had this in mind when they fought for our country. Well done, Alfie and Cecil!

Jim MacLeod

District 7 councillor,

Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Alfie and Cecil refers to Alfie MacLeod and Cecil Clarke...to Cape Breton MLA's with the PC's.

Not development, but the first time we've held this festival
Sydney to host Nova Scotia Music Festival Friday and Saturday

Section: Arts/Entertainment

Some of the best young musicians in the province will gather in Cape Breton for the 24th annual Nova Scotia Music Festival, Friday and Saturday.

The provincial competition is being hosted in Sydney by the Cape Breton Kiwanis Festival of Music, Speech and Drama which held its own festival last month in Sydney.

"It's an honour to be asked to host. This is the first time it's coming here," said local organizer Peter Fraser.

Participants will come from across the province, representing eight member festivals of the Federation of Music Festivals of Nova Scotia. Those selected competed in their local festivals and were recommended by adjudicators at that level to proceed to either the junior or senior provincial competitions for piano, voice, strings, woodwind, brass, guitar or musical theatre.

Representing Cape Breton at the event will be David Brister in senior piano and Matthew MacLellan in junior piano.

This year's team of provincial adjudicators includes two well known Cape Bretoners - Valerie Kinslow, voice adjudicator, and Lydia Adams, choral. They will be joined by Dr. Frances Gray, piano; Anne Rapson, strings; Jeff Torbet, guitar; John Rapson, woodwinds; David Parker, brass; and Ross Thompson, musical theatre.

Competitions begins Friday at 7 p.m. with junior and senior woodwind, junior and senior voice, and junior piano. The following day, at 9 a.m. there will be junior and senior brass, junior and senior strings and guitar, and senior piano. At 2 p.m. Saturday, the musical theatre competitions take place. Each of the competitions is followed by an adjudication and workshop with the adjudicator.

Registration and brass and woodwind competitions will take place at the Sydney United Baptist Church; voice, strings and guitar competitions will be held at St. Andrew's United Church and chapel, and the auditorium of Bethel Presbyterian Church will be the site of piano and musical theatre competitions and the gala concert.

The public is invited to attend all the competitions and the Stars of the Provincial Festival gala concert will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at the Bethel Presbyterian Church. Admission to the concert is $5 at the door.

The concert will feature the winners of all junior and senior classes. Winners of the choral classes, which will have been adjudicated by recording, will be announced as will the senior players selected to represent Nova Scotia in this year's national competition in Edmonton, Alta., Aug. 14-16.

The gala concert will include two performances from local speech and drama winners - competition areas that are unique to the host organization and not included in the provincial festival.

ride em

Jun 4, 2008, 4:41 PM

The third retailer in the old Sobey's will be Reitmans and Rudderhams is moving to what is now Mark's WW, sharing that space if a East Side Mario's Franchisee is found.

The ownership change at the Mayflower is not the only news at the mall. Urban Outfitters will be taking the old Mark's location. But East Side Mario's is officially coming. They have a franchisee and will be going into the old Jasper's site as well as some of the old WalMart. It will be slightly larger than a standard ESM, will have a patio and full bar and is tentativly set to open it's doors on December 12.

e6h2w

Jun 5, 2008, 5:09 PM

Hello Everyone

I wanted to let you know about a new tool available to people in Sydney to Manage and Promote Skyscrapers and property online, this tool is called Prop2Go.
You can view, manage and promote property (skyscraperts, Apartment buildings, commercial property, Homes, Real Estate, and Land) at http://www.Prop2Go.com

Good luck, hope this helps make your like just a little bit easier.

Jason

Smevo

Jun 6, 2008, 10:46 AM

Cape Breton Post

Ground finally moving for YMCA redevelopment

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes,

Finally, after years of hoping and planning, the YMCA of Cape Breton broke ground Monday morning on a $10-million redevelopment of its Charlotte Street building.

An excavator and dump trucks started work removing asphalt from a parking lot area where a new gymnasium, conditioning centre, multi-purpose studio, walking track and locker rooms will go, said CEO Andre Gallant.

"It's been years in the making, and this has been a couple of years in the planning, so it's nice to finally see it," Gallant said.

The YMCA plans a formal ground-breaking ceremony later this month.

During this preliminary stage, asphalt will be removed at the parking lot area, construction fences erected and an oil tank and electrical transformer relocated to allow the excavation to proceed.

The YMCA is raising $1.5-million through a public fundraising campaign to go with contributions of $1.5 million from the Nova Scotia government, $1.5 million from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, $4 million from the federal government and its own contribution of $1.5 million.

The project will be done in stages over two years, including new construction in the parking lot area, demolition and replacement of a 1940s part of the YMCA and a major renovation of a part of the building built in the late 1970s, yielding 60,000 square feet of space in all.

The redevelopment will include a new gymnasium, fitness studio, conditioning centre, training room, locker rooms, pool, child-care centre, administration offices, employment centre and community room. It will also mean a full day-care program and increased space for employment counselling, community education and retraining.

Gallant said the goal will be minimal disruption of services during the redevelopment but the YMCA will have to temporarily rent some outside space for the child-care centre and swimming programs.

Moving the conditioning centre equipment may also mean a day or two of disruption

Smevo

Jun 6, 2008, 11:16 AM

Cape Breton Post

Contruction could cause traffic congestion

Section: Front

By Chris Hayes, Cape Breton Post

A mini building boom will give the downtown a new look but not without causing some traffic disruptions along the way.

Construction projects that are within several blocks of each other in the heart of the downtown core include a $10-million redevelopment of the Cape Breton YMCA, a Harbour Royale Developments office building estimated at a cost of $4 million to $5 million and a new building that will be the site for a Lawtons Drugs store, cost unknown.

Marjorie Fougere, president of the Sydney Downtown Development Association, welcomed the developments, which follow on the heels of facade improvement programs that also helped to revitalize the downtown.

"You know the old saying is if you build it they will come," she said Tuesday.

"At a time when downtowns all across the country are struggling, and certainly we were in that position, we see some wonderful growth and new interest downtown."

The downtown Sydney construction projects, along with other projects in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Inverness and Baddeck, will probably create enough work to bring some Cape Breton tradespeople home from jobs in Alberta, said Cliff Murphy of the Cape Breton Building Trades Council.

"It's all good news. This summer there will be several hundred people working in construction for sure."

Frances Alteen, owner of Cape Breton Cake Decorator Specialities next door to the site of the new office development on Charlotte Street and across the street from the YMCA, was concerned about how parking for her customers will be affected while the buildings are under construction.

Traffic disruptions are also a concern, she said.

"Certainly we need people to be able to get to our business."

Public works manager Allan Clarke, who sits on the Cape Breton Regional Municipality's traffic authority, said the driving public should stay tuned for notices about traffic disruptions.

"Most definitely we will notify the public," he said.

Clarke expects to see a block of Charlotte Street between Wentworth and Falmouth streets closed to vehicles - but not pedestrians - for several months during the excavation stage on the new office development.

Spiro Trifos, principal architect for the project, was uncertain, however, saying he thinks the decision for partial or full closure of a block of the street will depend on the stability of the soils, an issue which hasn't yet been determined.

The traffic plan for the YMCA project could include a lane closure of an area of Bentinck Street behind the YMCA building, although Clarke is also considering whether full closure of the block will be necessary. He didn't foresee any traffic closures for construction of the office building where the Lawtons will be located.

Hugh Tweedie, a partner in Harbour Royale Developments, hopes to have the office development ready for one of the tenants by mid-February.

The YMCA broke ground Monday on a $10-million redevelopment that will be done in stages over two years.

Construction of the building which will house the Lawtons Drug store began in May.

http://www.pbase.com/smevo/image/98203591.jpg
1 = YMCA
2 = Harbour Royale office building (Vogue office building)
3 = 2-storey office building/Lawtons.

Election is coming closer...there'll be more of this I'm sure.
Tom Rose to run for CBRM council seat in District 14

Section: Northside/Victoria

A former North Sydney councillor says he's putting his name on the ballot to represent District 14 in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in the Oct. 18 municipal elections.

During his two terms in the late 1980s as councillor for the former town, Tom Rose served on numerous municipal committees, including the police and fire services.

He has also been active within the community working with groups such as North Sydney Minor Hockey, the CMHA, North Sydney Historical Society and the Bartown Community Society, where he currently serves as co-chair.

"There are a number of items that need to be addressed with the CBRM," Rose said. "The taxpayers from the town are frustrated with the lack of support from CBRM council for the new Northside rink. This project must go forward and it's a shame that the residents of North Sydney are basically deemed unworthy of this investment in their community.

"It is my belief that the Sydney-centric view of CBRM decision makers does not promote development in North Sydney, nor does it improve the lives of the residents of this once proud and prosperous town."

Rose said North Sydney's share of the CBRM's $105-million debt would amount to almost $7-million, or about $1,000 for every single resident of North Sydney.

"We share CBRM's debt but are we receiving our share of services and community investment for our tax dollars? I say we are not," he said.

"Put simply, the mathematics of amalgamation are flawed in that they are skewed in favour of the 'Sydney as a hub' model of municipal development."

Rose continued by saying there should be changes with regard to the "unelected upper management at CBRM."

The role of council should be more than just rubber-stamping the decisions made by senior bureaucrats. It's time for the tail to stop wagging the dog. Council needs to play a more active role in setting policy."

He said the municipality needs to look at infrastructure improvements like a sewage treatment plant, expanded and improved recreational facilities at Indian Beach and Archibald's Wharf.

"In addition, something must be done about youth crime, which is actually a social problem, so that seniors and all residents can feel safe in their homes and on the streets as well. The list goes on and on."

Rose will soon be going door to door to listen to the concerns of local residents, with the intention of bringing them forward to council, if elected.

Rose can be contacted by e-mail at votetomrose@gmail.com and his website www.tomrose.ca will be up and running by mid-June.

North Sydney's council seat is currently represented by Gordon MacLeod.

The area encompasses all of the former town of North Sydney in addition to the following streets: Bushells Lane, Centre Street, Copp Street, Emerald Street, Haley Street, MacIntosh Drive, Mapleview Drive, Muir Street, Power Street, Reids Drive, Robinson Lane, Tobin Road (to the sewage lift station) and Young Street.

I can understand his opposition to the Sydney-centric view somewhat, but he exaggerates it. There were countless infrastructure improvement projects on the northside recently...much more than were happening in Sydney actually.

Some Membertou election news
Incumbent Membertou chief Terry Paul facing challenge from Lance Paul in upcoming election

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes,

Longtime chief Terry Paul will run for his 13th consecutive term during band elections at Membertou First Nation in June.

Leading up to the June 17 election, Paul, 56, says his priorities include long-standing concerns like building housing, job creation and education.

"I believe we have been pretty successful getting to our goal where all our people, whoever goes through the system, gets a well grounded education so they can either go on to university or acquire very skilled trades," he said.

Membertou employs from 550 to 750 workers depending on the time of year, more than half of them from the community, he said.

"But I know we need to do better, get jobs (and) more higher paying jobs."

"We have future plans that are amazing as far as I am concerned and people will know as we come along."

Terry Paul is being challenged by Lance Paul, 43, a lifelong resident of Membertou, who said his concerns include the finances of the First Nation community and improving services for residents.

Membertou has multi-million dollar operations like the trade and convention centre that according to financial statements has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, said Lance Paul, who had been working as a fisheries co-ordinator for Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn, the Mi'kmaq Rights Initiative, but is currently away from that job recovering from a medical condition.

"Really, our money isn't well managed."

Lance Paul said he also wants to add to programs and services for families and children.

"One of the things we are thinking is to develop a food bank . . . and more community events for families, and in order to do all that we have to get our finances under order."

Both candidates for chief mentioned drug and alcohol abuse.

"We have problems of alcohol and drug abuse," said Lance Paul. "I would like to tackle some of those problems."

Terry Paul said while drug and alcohol abuse may not be as big a problem in Membertou as in some other communities, it does occur.

"We know there is a problem there. Especially with more income, people generally have more to spend in those areas, unfortunately."

Terry Paul said the band's decision to go with the Cape Breton Regional Police (instead of the RCMP) was a good decision.

Some Membertou residents objected to widespread mandatory drug and alcohol tests for band employees. Terry Paul said in a story in March band council withdrew pre-employment and random testing and is reviewing the policy to balance the rights of individuals with those of the community.

The election at Membertou will be held June 17 and ballots will be counted June 18.

Twenty-four candidates will run for 11 councillor positions.

There are 751 eligible voters in this election. Returning officer Jane Bernard said typically, turnout is very high.

The band chief is paid $65,000 a year and councillors are paid $50,000.

Smevo

Jun 6, 2008, 11:46 AM

Cape Breton Post

Someone needs to do their homework a little better (I'm being generous).
Real estate prices reflecting boom market a misfit for Cape Breton

Section: Comment

Column: Letters to the editor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In recent years, Canada's housing market has been booming. Western Canada, in particular, has seen the largest area of growth, with housing sales and starts in Alberta up nearly 60 per cent since the turn of the century. Central Canada has also witnessed its real estate market jump through the ceiling.

The biggest reason for growth in the real estate market of these areas is an increase in population due to the overwhelming availability of employment. It's a simple case of supply and demand.

As a result of this national housing boom, local real estate companies have seized the opportunity to create the illusion that the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is part of this trend. In reality, this couldn't be further from the truth.

As with most economic trends in our country, we in Cape Breton are the exception to the rule. The oil patch and Yonge Street may be two expansive pieces of land filled with opportunity, but, unfortunately, even they aren't large enough to extend to Cape Breton.

Out-migration from CBRM remains the reality of the times. According to a recent report by Doug Foster of CBRM's planning department, the population is down roughly 9,000 since 2001. By 2011, the number is expected to grow to nearly 17,000.

Most of these people represent an age range of 19-31 years, a key demographic of first-time homeowners. Despite this trend in out-migration, the average price of a home in CBRM has jumped 15 to 20 per cent in the past two years. Where's the demand coming from? This simply doesn't add up.

Due to these inflated numbers, many prospective homeowners who remain in CBRM have been priced out of owning a decent home. On the rare occasion that highly paid professionals and their families move into the area, some of these overpriced homes may become affordable due to that family's average household income. Many real estate companies would lead you to believe that this supports the trend of increased housing prices. In reality, this situation does not represent the true demographic of prospective home buyers in CBRM.

Despite a recent drop in mortgage rates, indications are that a cool-down in the national real estate market is imminent. Since the New Year, even Canada's most desirable real estate market, Calgary, is down 40 per cent. Until real estate companies in CBRM begin to accept this reality, overpriced land and dwellings will remain unpurchased fixtures in the market for months on end.

Craig Seward

Sydney

The old report prepared for Doug Foster (in 2004) predicted a loss of 9,000 by 2006, the actual loss was 3,402. In order to have lost 9,000 to this day since 2001, we would have had to lose almost 3,000/year over the past two years...I don't think I'm the only one who finds that highly unlikely.

Housing starts are up significantly since the turn of the century, as are housing sales. Prices in CB are still very much a steal, despite the increases seen recently. Houses aren't sitting on the market long, unless they're a) drastically overpriced or b) in terrible condition...essentially the same reasons they would stay on the market for a long time anywhere else.

The Q has landed

Exciting time in Cape Breton

Section: Sports

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Session and Draft has finally opened in Sydney and surrounding areas following months of planning and preparation.

"It's hard to believe that after all of the hard work and dedication from countless people and supporters, the draft and annual session is finally here," said Anita DeLazzer, draft committee co-chair. "This is an exciting time for our area and we hope that fans come out to share in this positive event."

Fans are encouraged to take in two main draft events open to the public - the top prospects presentation and the draft itself - both free of charge.

The Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay will host the draft's top prospects presentation Friday, starting at noon. Fans will have the opportunity to check out the highest ranked up-and-coming players expected to be drafted in 2008.

And Centre 200 in Sydney will host the main event - the draft - Saturday, starting at 10 a.m., though the doors will be open one hour earlier at 9 a.m.

The draft will see QMJHL teams working hard to create winning line-ups and build their teams' strength.

"The top prospects presentation and the draft will showcase some of the top young hockey players in the country," said draft co-chair Donnie Morrison.

"To be hosting this high-calibre event right in our backyard is something we should be proud of. Fans will get to witness one of the happiest moments in the lives of these young men and that is priceless."

Kristen Mauger, a Grade 6 student at Gowrie Memorial School in Port Morien and the winner of the draft's Contest for the Kids drawing and colouring competition, will receive a Cape Breton Screaming Eagles jersey and four VIP seats at the draft, not to mention getting her photo taken with the No. 1 one draft pick.

More than 500 local students in grades 3 through 6 entered the contest and all entries will be displayed at the draft.

Fans attending the draft are asked to use either the front or rear entrance of Centre 200. Those with draft accreditation - volunteers, media, league and team representatives, players and their families - are asked to use the players' entrance at the back of Centre 200.

The draft committee is asking fans to wear their hockey jerseys at the draft's public events as a show of support for the draft and its participants.

"This is the first time this event is being held in Nova Scotia so we have a bit of an example to set," said DeLazzer.

"This week is the culmination of thousands of hours of work by our local people. I am confident that even more of the Cape Breton community will come out to support the draft at the public events and help us show the rest of the country that we are a first-class choice to host world-class events."

And DeLazzer said the draft couldn't have happened without local volunteers.

"Volunteer response from the community has been outstanding," she said.

"It has been so great that there are actually a number of volunteers we have not been able to utilize. One reason for that is the great number of bilingual volunteers that were needed. Having more than enough volunteers is very rare but again shows the community support we have had and we sincerely thank all those that have agreed to help out."

According to the draft committee, the draft is expected to give the local economy a $2 million boost.

Some Port Hawkesbury news
Port Hawkesbury council approves stand-pat budget

Section: Front

By Tom Ayers, CAPE BRETON POST

Town council has approved a stand-pat budget that maintains this year's residential property tax rate at last year's level and includes only a modest spending increase.

The commercial tax rate, set during budget deliberations Tuesday, went up by nine per cent to cover the province's mandated reduction in the business occupancy tax and to counteract a drop in overall commercial assessment in the municipality due to two major businesses that successfully appealed its assessments.

An increase in residential assessment combined with the commercial rate increase will mean the town's revenues from taxes will increase this year by about 8.9 per cent. However, with all of the other changes in the budget, including expected reductions in transfers from other governments, overall spending will only go up by 1.6 per cent.

Mayor Billy Joe MacLean said this year's budget doesn't contain too many new items.

"It's not all that different from last year," he said.

And the drop in commercial assessment is not a concern, he added, because Port Hawkesbury's ratio of commercial-to-residential tax revenues is one of the highest in the province, at roughly 45/55.

The 2008 residential property tax rate remains steady at $1.80 and the commercial rate rose from $3.77 last year to $4.11 this year.

MacLean said council discussed a suggestion to shift some of the increasing commercial tax burden onto residential property owners, but the idea was rejected.

"Actually, that was a suggestion of mine, but after a comparison of all the towns and looking at the commercial and residential rate compared to everyone else, we're in about the 50 per cent range," he said.

"If you look at in the province as a whole, on the tax rates we're 14th highest of 34 towns on commercial and 15th highest of 34 towns on residential," said Jim Davis, the town's director of finance.

MacLean said council had heard that a business was considering moving to the outskirts of town to take advantage of lower tax rates, which sparked some concern.

"We had rumours that one of our major businesses was going to do that, but didn't," he said, declining to name the company. "And one that I will name, Home Hardware, moved into town because of the increase in traffic."

As it turned out, Port Hawkesbury's commercial potential is in pretty good shape,

MacLean added, especially with improved infrastructure such as sewer, water and sidewalks, and recent positive financial news from NewPage Corp. and its Point Tupper paper mill.

tayers@cbpost.com

Budget breakdown

Port Hawkesbury town council approved a stand-pat budget, Tuesday, maintaining the tax rate for residential property owners. Council also increased the commercial tax rate to compensate for the province's phasing out the business occupancy tax and to counter a drop in commercial assessment. The town also had a surplus of $117,217.40 last year, which will help this year's budget. Overall spending is up by $111,714 this year, which is a 1.6 per cent increase over last year.

This year's budget, with last year's numbers in parentheses:

Total residential assessment: $118,566,700 ($115,348,900)

Total commercial assessment: $56,318,800 ($61,409,900)

Residential tax rate: $1.80 ($1.80)

Commercial tax rate: $4.11 ($3.77)

Total expenditures: $7,199,080 ($7,087,366)

Source: Jim Davis, director of finance

Smevo

Jun 6, 2008, 12:17 PM

The ownership change at the Mayflower is not the only news at the mall. Urban Outfitters will be taking the old Mark's location. But East Side Mario's is officially coming. They have a franchisee and will be going into the old Jasper's site as well as some of the old WalMart. It will be slightly larger than a standard ESM, will have a patio and full bar and is tentativly set to open it's doors on December 12.

Thanks for the updates ride em!

Not that it matters (just curious really) but what part of CBRM are you from? Same question to Davey_Boy_Smith. :cheers:

I can't wait to get home with my camera (3 weeks), sounds like Harbour Royale wants to start as soon as they know about the soil stability, but regardless there should be quite a bit of development pictures for me to post here.

Smevo

Jun 6, 2008, 1:05 PM

Once again, I'll only be posting NS and CB ER. I stored all the info on my own computer, but the wireless connection here doesn't seem to like my computer. :(

Parentheses is % growth except with the rates where it's the unadjusted May 2008 rate.

Nova Scotia
Pop >15 --------------> +3,900 (+0.51%)
Labour Force ---------> +3,400 (+0.70%)
Employment-----------> +3,400 (+0.77%)
Unemployment---------> -100 (-0.24%)
Participation Rate------> +0.1 (63.7%)
Unemployment Rate----> -0.1 (8.6%)
Employment Rate ------> +0.1 (58.2%)

Cape Breton ER
Pop >15 --------------> -600 (-0.52%)
Labour Force ---------> +4,000 (+6.45%)
Employment-----------> +3,300 (+6.26%)
Unemployment---------> +700 (+7.53%)
Participation Rate------> +3.7 (57.0%)
Unemployment Rate----> +0.2 (15.2%)
Employment Rate ------> +3.1 (48.4%)

Once again, the Cape Breton ER led the province in Labour Force growth and Employment growth, as well as Participation Rate and Employment Rate increases.
The small increase in Unemployment Rate doesn't trouble me because of the growth in both the Labour Force and Employment. It remains steady compared to April, and is 1.7% pts lower than the census reported for 2006.
Also, the population of the Economic Region has remained steady since March (when I first started looking), which to me is a positive sign, especially for CBRM and probalby Port Hawkesbury. Since the Economic Region encompasses the entire island, the recent stagnation in population indicates to me that CBRM is most likely growing in population, considering the other three counties continue to lose to the urban centres and out west, and though Port Hawkesbury may be growing as well, it wouldn't be enough to offset the overall loss in Inverness County.

That's how I read the numbers anyway, I'm sure the Planning department is still hung up on the 2006 census and the EDM report. :rolleyes:

Overall, this release is good news for the area. :cheers:

Smevo

Jun 6, 2008, 4:37 PM

Continuing with the Panoramio series, this time it's New Waterford area.

Bluenose II near mouth of Sydney Harbour
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/3815274.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3815274)
By paul toman

Victoria Mines
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/3128885.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3128885)
By J. A. Gillan

New Waterford Lighthouse
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/1452922.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1452922)
By rainamp

Dominion Beach/Lingan Bay
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/1084444.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1084444)
By athenaa

Dominion from Lingan
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/1084466.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1084466)
By athenaa

Boardwalk at Dominion Beach
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/1084368.jpg (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1084368)
By athenaa

Smevo

Jun 7, 2008, 2:53 AM

The vacancy rate for CBRM CA has dropped over 2 percentage points from 6.7% in April 2007 to 4.6% in April 2008.

Average rents remained steady (-$3) with decreases in Bachelor (-$26) and 1-Bedroom (-$9) units being offset by increases in 2-Bedroom (+$17) and 3+ Bedroom (+$45) units compared to April 2007.

Availabiltiy rate also dropped 2 percentage points from 6.7% in April 2007 to 4.7% in April 2008.

From Atlantic Rental Market Provincial Highlights Reports: Nova Scotia - Spring 2008 (http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/odpub/esub/64503/64503_2008_B01.pdf)
"...Cape Breton experienced the highest drop in vacancy rate, dropping more than 2 full percentage points from 6.7 last year to 4.6 per cent in April 2008"

:cheers:

Davey Boy Smith

Jun 7, 2008, 11:18 PM

Thanks for the updates ride em!

Not that it matters (just curious really) but what part of CBRM are you from? Same question to Davey_Boy_Smith. :cheers:

I can't wait to get home with my camera (3 weeks), sounds like Harbour Royale wants to start as soon as they know about the soil stability, but regardless there should be quite a bit of development pictures for me to post here.

Yeah I was going to do some photos but never got around to it.

I am originally from Sydney now just live in the 'burbs.

Smevo

Jun 8, 2008, 4:27 AM

I'm just waiting to see when exactly I'll be arriving home. Just gotta see when the guy I'm taking down will be arriving in Fredericton from Ottawa.

I'm hoping to have at least one day completely dedicated to updating my photos of the Northside, New Waterford, and Glace Bay areas, as well as hitting some spots in Sydney and updating my Pier photos. I'll be "staying" in the Pier but probably spending most of my time in the Northend at my best man's apartment.

If I arrive on the 28th, I might have time...at least enough to hit the development spots anyway, but if it's on the 29th, probably not. Either way I drive back to Fredericton on Canada Day.

I'm originally from the Pier, btw, moved up here for school.

Either it was a slow news day today, or the Post didn't publish everything in the electronic subscriber's section. I'll have to check the .pdf copy to see.

Smevo

Jun 8, 2008, 6:49 AM

Cape Breton Post

I was right, it seems they didn't publish everything in the electronic subscriber's section. Here's some from the Cape Breton Post main page (http://www.capebretonpost.com)

Public transit for Strait area delayed until July
Complex issue has plenty of loose ends to tie up

BY NANCY KING
The Cape Breton Post

PORT HAWKESBURY — It now appears it will be the latter part of July when public transit buses will finally hit the road in the Strait area.
Earlier this spring, Malcolm Beaton, general manager of the Strait Area Transit Co-operative, said he hoped the service might be functional in June. But the many details required to address prior to launching a public transit service are taking a bit longer than anticipated.
“(The launch is) not close enough,” Beaton said. “It’s been a long process, transit is a very complex issue and there are so many loose ends you’ve got to tie up.”
Communities including Port Hastings, Mulgrave and Louisdale would have access to the bus, which will make two daily trips into Port Hawkesbury.
The service will make pit stops in areas such as L’Ardoise, St. Peter’s, Chapel Island, Arichat and Petit de Grat, and then transfer users to the bus in Louisdale and that vehicle will take them into the town.
They have identified their preferred vehicles and the board is expected to give final approval to those choices at a meeting this week and place orders within two weeks. They have recently completed interviews with potential staff and will soon hire, Beaton added.
There’s been a lot of public interest shown in the project. Beaton, who is also a member of Richmond County council, noted the supporting municipalities are also fielding questions from members of the public looking for information on when the service will launch.
“Wherever we go, that’s the magic question, when’s the system going to start up,” he said. “The momentum has really built for it.”
The transit co-op is working with Service Canada, which will assist with wages under the pilot project.
In April, the province announced it would contribute $120,000 to the system. The Strait Area Transit Co-operative would use the one-time contribution to purchase three vehicles, construct bus shelters and other related infrastructure to support a transit-service pilot project.
The contribution will help the co-operative purchase one 20-passenger accessible bus, two seven-passenger commuter vans, bus shelters and office equipment. Service will include scheduled, regular week-day main-route transit, door-to-door (in conjunction with the provincial dial-a-ride program) and charter services for nursing homes, senior complexes, regional occupation centres and others.
Initially, the co-op had hoped to have buses on the road by January, but that was slowed as it waited for funding approvals.

A commentary that doesn't involve the lawsuit? Blasphemy!
Geothermal energy could be the driver of Glace Bay renaissance
The Cape Breton Post

Glace Bay and surrounding area has a unique opportunity for a residential, industrial and commercial renaissance. It all lies deep beneath the town in a vast labyrinth of abandoned coal mines.
Heat can be recovered from the billions of litres of water that reside in these old mine workings.
Coal was first mined in the area by the French military in the 1720s. A succession of companies mined these coal seams on a continuous basis up until the early 1980s, about 260 years. Now, because of the hard work of thousands of miners, we have the opportunity to retrieve heat from a different source — the underlying workings themselves.
This heat source is stable and clean, and will last much longer than 260 years. This will be the foundation on which we build our new economy for this historic town.
We will have the opportunity to heat thousands of homes and businesses. We can heat our schools, churches and hospital for a fraction of the price of other sources. Furthermore, we can attracted new business — greenhouses, fish farms, and other companies that require large amounts of heating and cooling in their processes.
We can have new facilities like fixed roof accommodations, or a swimming pool attached to the Bayplex with both utilizing the heating and cooling of geothermal.
An addition to the Miners’ Museum could be an interpretive centre showcasing the environmentally friendly technology. Cape Breton University can be involved to develop and refine the technology for our specific needs.
This is a unique opportunity for Glace Bay, the prospect of using mine water in a environmentally friendly and sustainable manner to project a much cleaner community image and instil a level of pride in our citizens that’s long lost. With today’s oil prices, future restrictions on carbon emissions, and restrictions to be placed on power generation from conventional methods, we as a community have the opportunity to move past these physical and monetary constraints to develop a new economy for this town.
We as a community have the obligation to take this resource and develop it for the benefit for our town and its people, to do our part to combat global warming, and to create an environment conducive to retaining our people.
We have been given a second chance to rebuild this great community. Let’s not lose this opportunity to complacence.
Bruce Bearnes
Glace Bay

Loop along French shore would grow the pie for all
The Cape Breton Post

By Germaine LeMoine
We all know that location matters. Three hundred years ago, during the Age of Sail, location mattered, and the Fortress of Louisbourg was built strategically on these Cape Breton shores. It became the second busiest seaport in North America.
Today location still matters, but it is the Age of the Automobile, and the Fortress of Louisbourg is at the end of a dead-end road. The reconstructed fortress, the gem of Parks Canada, remains an underutilized site. Visitor numbers have been slipping, and the price of gas makes a dead-end road increasingly less appealing.
The ancient road that ran from Louisbourg to Gabarus to St. Peters, along the French shore, connected families and farms, fish plants and buyers, natives and settlers. In 1966, after the fortress was reconstructed, the road was closed without any local consultation, and we in the town of Louisbourg and our families and friends in Gabarus have protested against that ever since.
A committee was formed almost three years ago to try to right the wrong. We want to turn this dead-end location into a geographic asset by creating a loop on this side of the island that will draw tourists to our coast the way the Cabot Trail does on the other side.
Our first step was an economic feasibility and social impact study. It suggested that even with very little increase in traffic the road would be economically feasible. Simply trimming off the 45 kilometre detour saves enough gas and time to make the road pay for itself.
Consulting staff interviewed people along the Cabot Trail, in Baddeck and at Post Hastings: of those who had not gone to Louisbourg and did not intend to, a full 60 per cent said that if they could drive a loop on this side of the island they would.
The Cabot Trail counts between 300,000 and 400,000 visitors every summer, three or four times what Louisbourg sees. To be conservative, let us say that half the people who said they would go to Louisbourg actually did go; we would see another 90,000 to 100,000 visit Louisbourg annually. We and the fortress would double our current numbers.
On any given day in the summer we could have an additional 1,000 tourists in this area. Our restaurants and gift shops would be busy.
Louisbourg has about 130 rooms for travellers, and we can sleep about 290 to 300 people. Many more tourists would need to stay in Sydney or St. Peters or Glace Bay and points in between. With this project, economic growth is inevitable. Everyone will benefit.
Opening this road would give tourists the choice that they have never had. Driving onto the island, they could take the Cabot Trail or the Fleur de Lis Trail, or they could do both without back-tracking. Opening this road would also mean that tourists could drive other scenic loops in this area. They could thoroughly explore the east side of our island. And when tourists wanted to visit the Cabot Trail, they would.
Our tourism pie will get bigger.
We believe this road will give tourists a reason to stay another night on the island to see both shores. We believe it will bring back tourists who have already driven the Cabot Trail because now they could see the other side of the island, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world — Belfry Beach, Point Michaud, Capelin Cove, Gabarus, and Wild Cove. Traffic patterns would change but indicators are that the net effect would be positive for everyone.
In 1994, the provincial government resurfaced parts of the Fleur de Lis Trail in Richmond County. Now it is time for the federal government to do its part. The proposed road runs through federal property, the federal government closed the original, and the federal government has a multi-million-dollar investment in Louisbourg that is vastly underused.
We are not even considering tapping into road budgets designated for pothole repair. We all know we do need the potholes filled.
To gain the full potential of this loop, other investments must be made as well. Good, well-marked roads to beaches are important. Picnic parks, washrooms, better signage, and better marketing all fall under the jurisdiction of the province, the municipalities and the fortress. We are going to ask all of them to play a role in the development and promotion of the Fleur de Lis Trail so it too becomes a premier tourist route.
Cape Breton is noted over and over as one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Yet few ever see the magnificent coastline of the east side, which has a very different ecology than the other coastlines of the island. Completion of this road is the logical investment needed to further capitalize on all our island’s assets and to realize the full potential of Fortress Louisbourg.
We are taking this study to every level of government for support and then we are going to talk to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. This year is Quebec’s 400th anniversary, and more than $100 million is being spent for the celebrations alone. We are asking for something permanent, a short little stretch of road to be built on federal land that will make an immense difference to the people on this island.
In five years it is the 300th anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers to Louisbourg’s shores. On that anniversary we will travel this road along with many tourists and be reminded that we are in a truly spectacular location. The French settlers in 1713 knew a good location when they saw it, and all we need is one small link to secure the importance of their vision in perpetuity.
Germaine LeMoine chairs the Louisbourg-Gabarus Link Committee.

Additionally...from the pdf file
- The Cape Breton Farmer's Market opened for the first time in its new location today at 340 Keltic Drive in Sydney River.

- Sobeys in Scotchtown is looking to add parking spaces...there's a land-use by-law ammendment being proposed because of it (parking across a street from the business it serves) with a public hearing set for Tuesday, June 17 at 6p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Civic Centre. At that same public hearing, proposed changes to the Land Use Bylaw will be put forward by the Planning Advisory Committee.

- A request for tenders is out for exterior renovations to Vista Heights. They will be performing several upgrades to the building including replacing the exterior cladding, in a 4 year phased construction timeframe.

just joan

Jun 8, 2008, 1:21 PM

is there anyone here who can tell me where to find the updated government environmental study impact of the Wind turbine project in Loch Lomond/Lake Uist???

just joan

Jun 8, 2008, 2:02 PM

is there in fact a government environmental study or is the only study being conducted that of the proponent?????????? how do I find out????

Smevo

Jun 9, 2008, 4:39 AM

Welcome just_joan.

As far as I know, the province will be conducting an environmental assessment...not sure if the developer will be conducting his own or not. To the best of my knowledge, it's being conducted now and won't be released for at least a little while. I'll search for links, but your best bet is to keep an eye out for more informations sessions, which there should be after the assessment is released. I'll post anything I find here. :cheers:

The New Waterford Fish and Game Association (I think that's the name of the group) is keeping a close eye on the project, so it might help to get in touch with them. I'm not aware of who to contact, but if I find out, I'll let you know.

Smevo

Jun 9, 2008, 3:39 PM

Cape Breton Post

Good news for CBU...though not development.
Faculty group adds to donation

Section: Business

The Cape Breton University Faculty Association is contributing an additional $25,000 to its initial donation of $122,000 to the university's Future First campaign.

The original gift, in 2007, was to establish a CBUFA endowment fund for a renewable entrance scholarship valued at $1,600 per year. This new donation will allow for two new student bursaries valued at $500 each per year.

In 2004, the association donated $35,000 as part of the internal Enabling our Future campaign, the starting phase of the Future First campaign.

The CBU Students' Union has also donated an additional $20,000 for the Future First campaign to establish a new scholarship. It will be valued at $500 annually.

The Future First campaign is a five-year fundraising initiative at CBU. The original goal was to double the university's endowment fund of $7 million. In just 10 months the university accomplished its goal.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the university, volunteer committee and the generosity of the community, the CBU endowment fund has grown to $15 million and is continuing to grow. All of the money raised will contribute to the institution's scholarship and bursary program, benefiting students for years to come.

It seems CBU's aggressive push to improve its reputation is working, with these conferences coming here and improved student satisfaction and assessments.
Nursing conference to be held at CBU

Section: Cape Breton

Nursing professionals and students alike from across Atlantic Canada will come together at Cape Breton University this week. The 2008 Atlantic Region Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing/Région Atlantique Association canadienne des écoles de sciences infirmières conference takes place Wednesday through Friday.

The theme, Creating Our Future: Inspiring a New Generation, will help showcase some of the work and initiatives being accomplished regionally, provincially and nationally in nursing.

"This gathering will allow our participants to meet and network with some of Canada's finest nurse leaders," says Cyndee MacPhee, chair of the CBU nursing department. "We are honoured to have two of those leaders with us: Jane MacDonald, director of community development at VON Canada, and Dr. Ellen Rukholm, executive director for the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing and professor of nursing at Laurentian University."

Both of their talks, which take place in the Royal Bank Lecture Theatre on campus, are open to the broader health community and the general public.

MacDonald, who will speak Thursday from 9:20-10:30 a.m., brings more than 25 years of experience across the health system from the local to international level.

Someone's challenging Jim MacLeod in the election. Not sure what the outlook for him is, but from my past experience, he's going to be fighting an uphill battle, wish him all the best and hope the best man wins.
Wayne Miller to run for council

Section: Cape Breton

Wayne Miller has announced his intention to run for councillor for District 7 in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality election in October.

Miller was born and raised in Whitney Pier and is now a resident of South Bar, where he lives with his wife, Barbara. He has four children and four grandchildren.

Miller worked for 28 years as a federal public servant and six years for Sysco. He feels his employment history has provided him the necessary experience to work with all levels of government as well as the community at large.

Miller believes that Cape Breton is at a crossroad, with the port development announcement, the prospective reopening of Donkin mine and the pending appeal with regard to equalization payments.

He feels it is imperative for council to be unified and to send positive signals while working as a team to move ahead. Miller says his experience is that Cape Bretoners have to work twice as hard for what they are rightfully entitled. He also feels that if someone has to be right all the time, something is wrong.

"Our new council will have to work together and come to a consensus for the betterment of the municipality," Miller says.

He pledges to be a full-time representative and to bring the concerns of the residents of District 7 to the forefront, as well as keeping the larger picture in mind for the betterment of the entire municipality.

Miller may be reached at 564-2039 or 371-5255.

District 7 includes New Victoria, Lingan Road, Victoria Mines, Whitney Pier, Sydney, South Bar, New Waterford and Lingan. The locations are bounded by: the Victoria Road overpass, Sydney harbour and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, centerline of Webbs Lane and MacNeils Lane, Daley Road and May Street intersection with the Devco railway and Lingan Road intersection with the Devco railway.

The area is currently represented by Jim MacLeod.

Habitat for Humanity has set up in the area, started by members of CBU faculty and students.
CBU students, faculty to take to the streets

Section: Our community

Column: Stephen Moore

By Stephen Moore,

Once again, members of the Cape Breton University community have stepped out of the institution's halls and classrooms and into the streets of Cape Breton.

CBU students and faculty have begun the necessary work they hope will result in more affordable housing in Cape Breton and safer homes for those who would not normally be able to afford them.

To help achieve this goal, members of the CBU community have begun the push to form a local branch of Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is an organization that taps into volunteer labour, donations and a revolving fund derived from operations that provides affordable and safe housing to low-income residences and helps break the poverty cycle in which many people are living.

Habitat has been tremendously successful in other areas, but for it to be a success in Cape Breton, local residents have to step up and show their commitment.

Some of us may have a hard time believing that there are those who cannot afford a home in the local housing market. However, according to the Halifax Coalition Against Poverty, a single person on social assistance in Nova Scotia earns $5,422 per year ($12,473 below the poverty line).

According to the provincial government, the average income in Cape Breton is below the provincial average and the number of homes in need of repair is above the provincial and national averages.

These figures mean that even though the housing market in Cape Breton is relatively affordable, there are many who are at risk because of poor living conditions.

"We are concerned that so many of our neighbours are currently living in very poor conditions and that the housing stock in many of our CBRM communities is not holding up well. Habitat for Humanity could be part of the solution," said Tasha Dunn, a student involved in the movement.

Tapping the resources of the local community and identifying interested parties is the group's next step. Next Monday, there will be a public information session to help them achieve this goal. The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. in CBU's room CE 265.

The need for a Habitat branch was identified by the CBRM Housing Revitalization Committee, a committee initiated by CBU, and on which there are representatives from all levels of government.

According to CBU professor Dr. Tom Urbaniak, a group of community studies students stepped forward to meet the need. Two students - Martin Osuru and Dayna MacKay - made a presentation about Habitat to the committee.

"The members were very impressed and were very grateful for what the students have been doing," said Urbaniak.

The situation for many living in Cape Breton is more urgent than we realize and all parties involved are hoping things will begin to move quickly.

CBU's students and faculty continually involve themselves in the community and, more importantly, involve themselves in ways that benefit the community and those in it. A Habitat project will change the lives of many Cape Breton residents who are in desperate need of help and it will also change the lives of those that volunteer.

Habitat projects help transform our civic actions and in doing so help us realize responsibilities that lie outside of ourselves and our immediate families. Ultimately, Habitat creates homes, transforms individuals and creates stronger communities.

Stephen Moore is a resident of Glace Bay and is taking his MBA in community economic development at Cape Breton University. You can e-mail Stephen at stephen@cbusu.com