October 20th, 2025
Opposition Leader will meet with Cape Bretoners concerned about West Mabou Beach
MABOU, CAPE BRETON — On Monday, the Leader of the Official Opposition is meeting with residents about a proposed golf course at West Mabou Beach Provincial Park. Currently, the land is designated as a provincial park and protected by law but, following a cabinet meeting on October 16th, Minister Halman reversed the government’s prior position by not shutting down the possibility of private development in the park.
“Nova Scotians know our province is a special place. They want to make sure our coast belongs to everyone and economic activity benefits everyone," said Chender. “Areas like West Mabou Beach aren’t just stunning and ecologically important, they’re significant economic drivers for local tourism businesses. West Mabou and communities across Nova Scotia support economic development and know that it doesn’t have to come at the expense of our provincial parks. Proposals like this make it pretty clear that the more money corporations have—the more the Houston government listens.”
The Houston government is legally bound by legislated targets to protect 15 per cent of Nova Scotian’s total land and water mass by the end of March 2026. The federal government has given the province $25 million dollars as part of The Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement to help with obligatory protection and conservation, and it looks like some funding might be left on the table. Minister Halman couldn’t provide information about whether or not his government would meet the target or its plans for the remaining $12.5 million of federal money which must be spent by March.
“Instead of explaining how they’re going to meet the target for protected land, this government is sending a clear signal that not even protected provincial parks are off limits for corporate interests, once again proving that communities and coastlines are not a priority. People are worried about that approach and it’s easy to understand why,” said Chender. “We’re supposed to be protecting more land, creating jobs, and supporting communities, not sacrificing protected areas.”
“This isn't just about West Mabou. Tim Houston promises economic deliverance by throwing natural resources that our communities hold dear into an incinerator while suppressing the public's ability to have any say in how he will do so," said local resident and community advocate Kate Beaton. "If this government can destroy a protected provincial park by handing it over to billionaire golf developers who are too cheap to buy private land, then anywhere in Nova Scotia is up for grabs. The only special interest groups here are corporate ones who are in it for themselves."
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