Reporter with Victoria insert - April 10 2024

Antigonish Consolidation busted

Antigonish mayor, warden extremely disappointed and disheartened over decision

by Drake Lowthers The Reporter drakelowthers@porthawkesburyreporter.com

ANTIGONISH: In yet another unexpected move, on the day Bill 407: The Antigonish Consolidation Act, was scheduled for its third reading, the minister responsible for the bill, shelved it due to the lack of broad-based support.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr set aside the controversial bill after only 37 days being before the House of Assembly, after it’s first reading on Feb. 27.

“Honestly, the premier’s meeting a couple days ago tipped it,” Lohr told reporters following the announcement. “Hearing from the public, and looking at all the information we have, and do we want to go ahead with this, and we said, ‘No.’”

Given there is a process laid out in the Municipal Government Act, which includes specifications outlining how municipalities approach amalgamation – including a requirement for public consultation – which was not followed in Antigonish’s case, was something the minister couldn’t answer as to why.

“In hindsight, that’s a good question,” Lohr said. “So, I think we will be looking at that process.”

During a public meeting in Heatherton two days prior, on April 2, Premier Tim Houston faced criticism in front of a tense, standing-room-only crowd of 500, where his comments were met with loud booing when he advised it was the councils who voted against a plebiscite, and he wouldn’t overrule their request.

He did indicate he was disappointed no councillor who initiated the consolidation ask, was present at the meeting, something he doubled down on, with The Reporter in a phone interview.

“One thing that I had been hearing, particularly

recently, was that people didn’t feel that they had been heard by their councillors, and to that end I was quite surprised that none of the councillors that voted in favour of this were there,” Premier Houston said. “To look people in the eye and hear directly from people, and mediate with people in that format, I was surprised they weren’t present there, and for us as a provincial government remains finding the right path forward.”

When asked if local residents’ concerns were taken into consideration before the creation of the bill, the premier advised, through due process in the Law Amendments portion, amendments were created based on what the province heard.

“We’ve asked the UARB to see if enough homework was done, and enough understanding was done, and we’re watching closely,” Houston said. “Today as premier, I have to deal with the facts that are in front of me, and that’s what we’re trying to assess.”

However, less than 24-hours after The Reporter’s follow-up interview with the premier, Minister Lohr announced Bill 407 would not be moving forward.

“Over the last few weeks, we have heard from a significant number of people sharing their concerns over the bill to consolidate the town and county of Antigonish,” Minister Lohr said. “While both town and county municipal officials did vote in favour of consolidation, we simply cannot ignore the voices of the residents.”

Therefore, after careful consideration of what the government has heard, he said Bill 407 would not be proceeding, noting he understands this will be very disappointing for the people in support of consolidation.

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said this is another example of the government having to “backtrack” and “waffle” on a decision because

Photo by Drake Lowthers. Less than 48-hours after an intense, community meeting in Heatherton on April 2, in which Premier Tim Houston explained consolidation would still be going forward without a community vote, the legislation was shelved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

they don’t do their homework in advance.

“This is a government that could have consulted with the community over the past two years, they were invited to, refused to until the 11th-hour, and here they are backtracking on another piece of legislature,” Churchill told reporters. “And I think they didn’t do it, because they felt the political pressures on this issue, so this is a big win for those folks in the local community, who have been fighting against this forced amalgamation from the province.”

The leader of the opposition suggested the government has been “gutless” in the way they

have handled this situation.

“This has been an absolute mess from the beginning, and it all could have been avoided had they done their work in advance, met with people and put themselves in a position where they could answer the [simplest] questions,” Churchill said. “How this whole situation has been handled is laughable…they’ve hidden behind the local councils, instead of standing up for what they believe is right on this, they absolutely hid from this community and wouldn’t engage with them.”

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RCMP arrest man aft er Aulds Cove shooting

by Drake Lowthers The Reporter drakelowthers@porthawkesburyreporter.com

AULDS COVE: One man is injured, with non-life-threatening injuries following from, what police are calling a “targeted shooting” at a residence.

On April 4, Antigonish County District RCMP, with the assistance of the Antigonish-Guysborough Street Crime Enforcement Unit, and the RCMP Police Dog Services, arrested 24-year-old Samuel Taylor.

Taylor, who is from Port Hastings, has been charged with attempt to commit murder; aggravated assault; careless use of firearm; possession of weapon for dangerous purpose; pointing a firearm; unauthorized possession of firearm; and possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized.

A heavy presence of Nova Scotia RCMP was felt near the Canso Causeway on the morning of April 3, following a 911 call at 5:48 a.m. to reports of shots being fired.

Antigonish County District RCMP, with the assistance of Inverness County District RCMP, the Antigonish-Guysborough

Street Crime Enforcement Unit, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Forensic Identification Services and EHS responded to a report of shots fired at a residence on Highway 4.

“Upon arrival on scene, officers located a 37-year-old Askilton man, outside of the residence, with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound,” an RCMP Public Information Officer said. “An officer rendered first aid to the injured man while the other officers entered the residence to ensure no one else was injured.”

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EverWind completes FEED work for Point Tupper green hydrogen and ammonia project

by Drake Lowthers The Reporter drakelowthers@porthawkesburyreporter.com

POINT TUPPER: EverWind Fuels, together with EPC contractor Black & Veatch, has completed the front-end engineering design (FEED) and front-end loading engineering (FEL-3) for the first phase of its green hydrogen and ammonia project in Point Tupper.

According to EverWind in the April 4 announcement, the completion of the FEED, included over 110,000 hours of engineering, and marks a major milestone in the development of the project, as the milestone also represents the first announced completion of FEED for a large-scale green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility in North America.

“We are thrilled to be among the first globally to have completed FEED engineering for our green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility,” EverWind CEO Trent Vichie said. “This accomplishment is representative of the detailed and important trailblazing work that EverWind is doing to enable our project to drive down the cost of the energy transition – work that is required to secure long-term, multibillion dollar contracts.”

As described by Vichie, the project will use cutting-edge PEM electrolyzers and ammonia synthesis technology from Casale S.A. to convert

water from man-made Landrie Lake and energy primarily from newly-built wind farms, into green hydrogen and green ammonia.

EverWind and its First Nations partners Membertou, Paqtnkek, and Potlotek, are developing the Windy Ridge, Kmtnuk, and Bear Lake wind farms. Two of which have already received environmental approval and all three are expected to be operational by the end of 2026.

“The Mi’kmaw have been stewards of these lands for thousands of years, yet we have been shut out of participating in and benefitting from the development of natural resources,” Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation Chief Corey Julian said. “This approach isn’t just about economics; it’s about building genuine partnerships based on mutual respect and understanding, supporting a future of reconciliation.”

The first phase of the project is designed to produce approximately 240,000 tonnes per annum of green ammonia, starting in 2025, then achieve its full volume of 1 million tonnes per annum by 2026.

“Nova Scotia is poised to be a world leader in the production of green hydrogen. Our government is excited for the benefits that EverWind’s project will bring which include green jobs and a clean, sustainable future for Nova Scotians,” Premier Tim Houston

pictured in this digital rendering, is the first complete FEED in the Western Hemisphere for such a facility.

said. “Green hydrogen leadership will help us and our global partners develop our green economies and fight climate change.”

The project, which is part of EverWind’s larger initiative to develop an Atlantic Canadian green fuels hub, and is expected to bring significant economic and environmental benefits to the region.

“The significant experience, learnings and expertise gained through the FEED process will directly benefit the ongoing development of future phases of the project in Nova Scotia,” EverWind said in a release. “As well as the concurrent development of a world scale green fuels project in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Province bowed to activist group: mayor, warden

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NDP Leader Claudia Chender explained the government, trying to do a “drive-by, back-door amalgamation” is the latest example of the provincial government using shortcuts to govern itself.

“I think they were very concerned they had two cabinet members whose futures were very publicly and clearly implicated by the folks who were upset by this process, I think the premier saw that when he went down there,” Chender told reporters. “I think they were absolutely concerned over electoral success. If they were concerned over anything else, they wouldn’t have brought forward this bill in the first place.”

One minute after the announcement was made by Minister Lohr, Mayor Laurie Boucher and Warden Owen McCarron released a joint statement at 3:32 p.m., that they met with Premier Houston, at his request, and he informed them his government would not be moving ahead with the Antigonish Consolidation Act.

“We followed the process that was laid out for us, and we trusted the Houston government to respect the decisions of our respective councils and pass the Special Legislation. We firmly believe the people of Antigonish would have been better served under the leadership of one municipal unit,” Mayor Boucher and Warden McCarron said. “Antigonish is a wonderful community. It is a great place to live, raise a family, and do business. The town and county are strong municipalities. We are committed to moving forward together as partners to collaborate on projects and initiatives that will mutually benefit our community.”

Addressing media the following morning, in a joint press conference, the mayor and warden suggested its unfortunate the province took them this far, then pulled the plug on the legislation.

Speaking on the fact they used a different approach than what occurred in neighbouring Pictou County, the warden explained, council decided not to use a plebiscite.

“That question never came to the county’s table,” Warden McCarron said. “We expected someone would put [forward] a motion for a plebiscite, but that never happened.”

Mayor Boucher indicated it’s unfortunate the premier didn’t follow through with his amendments.

“As the public would have seen, everything that we know to be true, with finances,” she said. “But at the last minute, he decided himself to not follow through with that.”

With Premier Houston still actively adamant consolidation would be going forward without a vote, as of April 3, the warden and mayor explained they were “shocked” and “dumbfounded,” with this end result, especially after the community meeting.

“It appears to me, the province unilaterally shut us down, from pressures from an activist group,” Warden McCarron said. “I’m going to say it very clearly, what we were hearing in our community, was not represented as broadly as this group would leave you to believe.”

Mayor Boucher agreed.

“It’s obvious the premier bowed to…an activist group, that we feel, and were very positive, that it does not represent the vast majority of our community.”

The warden advised they feel they were lead down an unattainable path by the province as they were following a process laid out by department of municipal affairs representatives, in which their minister later described their directives as having a perception of conflict.

“Twenty-four hours after the decision, everything is a bit raw,”

Warden McCarron said. “We did everything we were asked, and were we lead astray – only history will define that for sure.”

When asked for their reaction to the premier’s comments on not having any councillors who supported consolidation present at the recent community meeting, the mayor explained they simply weren’t invited.

“That’s unfortunate that was said,” Mayor Boucher said. “The only reason we knew about the meeting, was because Minister Thompson let us know, just before hand, other than that we wouldn’t have known unless we checked Facebook.” Suggesting the fact it was a Let Antigonish Decide meeting, they were told the premier was going to be present to explain the amendments.

“We didn’t know any more than that,” Mayor Boucher said. “If we knew the premier felt that way, if we had known he wanted us there, then absolutely, we would have been there 100 per cent. We stood before those crowds 22 times and had no problem defending ourselves.”

Reaching out through their MLA the day prior, the warden explained they requested a meeting with the premier prior to the meeting in Heatherton, which would have provided a clear indication if he wanted them there or not.

“I want to be very clear, we weren’t invited, we reached out to the premier, and we weren’t responded to,” Warden McCarron said. “The premier hasn’t come to our community to talk to the business community about the importance of this, he hasn’t come to our community to talk to our First Nation community about this, but he came to the community to talk to a group of activists, and if it was that important, we would have been there.”

Photo contributed.

EverWind’s project in Point Tupper,

Founding president of Guysborough District Business Partnership resigns

by Alec Bruce Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Guysborough Journal

GUYSBOROUGH: Guysborough businessman Glynn Williams has resigned, effective March 19, as head of the Guysborough District Business Partnership (GDBP).

In a statement to The Journal, GDBP Executive Director Ashley Cunningham Avery highlighted Williams served on the founding board as president of the GDBP since its inception in April 2022.

“His knowledge in multiple fields helped us through the important startup years as an organization, better enabling us to advance [our] priorities. Glynn has made significant financial investments in our community, and we appreciate those contributions to date,” she said. “I will leave it to him if he would like to reach out, [for additional comment].”

According to a description on the Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG’s) website, when the private-sector-led

group was established with a $1.5 million investment from the municipality over five years to promote local “tourism offerings and small business opportunities.”

Williams – president and owner of the Authentic Seacoast Company, which includes distillery, brewery, and other hospitality operations in the Guysborough area – was recruited “as president for the first three years that the board is in operation. The remaining Board member terms will be staggered to ensure stability and continuity.”

At that time, MODG Warden Vernon Pitts stated that “council took a strong position on this new initiative, as it is something we are in great need of – more people. This strategic new venture will hope to draw additional visitors, additional businesses and a more deliberate impact on the future viability of our municipality.”

Last fall, the GBDP completed an extensive “visioning” exercise with Alberta-based community development consultant Doug Griffiths, who noted in his final report the region, and the communities within it, are poised for exceptional growth and

development in the coming years.

“[But] you need people to prosper... Communication and marketing are critical to your success... The best rule of thumb is to assume no one knows what you are doing, and tell them all again, and again, and again.”

According to Avery, Williams’ resignation is not expected to change the GDBP’s board structure.

“A call will go out in the near future for a replacement member from the business community. Once a new member is selected, the board will elect a new chair at the AGM, likely in May or June.”

The GDBP’s website lists its board members as: Alison Myers (vice-president), owner/operator, Guysborough Pharmachoice; Ann Marie Bagnall (secretary-treasurer), co-owner/operator, Seawind Landing Country Inn; Fraser Cook, owner/operator, Cook’s Gas Bar, Robin’s Donuts, Guysborough; Tera Dorrington, vice-principal, Chedabucto Education Centre / Guysborough Academy; Michael Feltmate, president, East Coast Hydraulics; and Keri Roberts, co-owner, Grant’s Heavy Equipment Ltd.

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

EVANSTON: After a community meeting about the future of a closed school, located in Evanston, residents in the area and a local developer are excited for the building’s future potential to be an affordable housing facility for seniors.

Anne Boudreau, a resident of Evanston, said the developer who presented at the meeting on April 3, “really impressed” her. They took in account of what the community needed, she said, and listened to everyone’s concerns.

“There was excellent feedback from everyone. It seemed to go well,” Boudreau said. “He just asked everyone, ‘What do you think should be done with the building?’ And everybody that was there said, ‘It should be a senior’s home.’”

The meeting at the community hall came after the council for Municipality of the County of Richmond passed a motion on Feb. 26, to place the property under a request for proposals (RFP).

Robbie Anderson owns Dockside Construction, based out of St. Peter’s and is the developer who hosted the meeting. He said the company has been focusing on initiatives around building affordable housing within the surrounding communities.

After a n RFP came out for the property, which was a school for over 30 years, Anderson said his company was approached by some residents in the Evanston community about “turning the building into something that the community would like.”

After a walkthrough of the school was completed, Anderson noted they estimate it’s going to be about a $2 million-dollar project, and already have ideas about what could be done to the building.

“We don’t live in the community… [and] really wanted to give them a voice before we put a proposal into the county,” the

developer noted. “The feedback was phenomenal. Everybody that attended that night and the cry for affordable housing was loud and proud.”

He noted affordable senior housing was the big topic of the meeting.

Boudreau also said she feels a senior’s home is the best idea for the community.

“Everyone was saying it would be so nice to have a senior’s home,” she said. “It’s so close to the hospital, like eight minutes to Port Hawkesbury, everyone was for it.”

Boudreau’s husband was one of the first people to work at the former school, with herself being one of the last. She doesn’t think the school ever should have been closed and is happy someone is offering to do something to save it.

“At least somebody is trying to do something. Everyone at the meeting was saying it should have happened years ago, but it

didn’t.”

Anderson mentioned he will be making his proposal and numbers public once the deadline passes, in order to show transparency.

“Because it is for the betterment of the community. The economic growth and everything that would come from a project like this would be substantial,” Anderson said, continuing to note he would potentially build affordable rental units on the property. The passion to build affordable housing comes from having two young kids, he explained, and part of his initiative is to give them a place they can afford and want to be in.

“And I just want to thank the community of Evanston and the surrounding areas for coming out, showing their support and giving us their feedback and their time,” Anderson said. “That was something special. Just to see the community rally and get that excited over a project coming to the area was special.”

Defibrillator donated to Friends United

Healthcare providers recognized for their contribution to community at third annual Community of Care Awards

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

PORT

HAWKESBURY: On April 3, Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health’s annual Community of Care Awards took place, recognizing 12 different healthcare providers in the area who are working hard to make the community a better place.

The third annual award ceremony took place at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, and this year’s winners of the 2024 Community Care Awards were: Stephen Anthony, recipient of the Making a Daily Difference Award; Lynn Delorey, recipient of the Healthcare Champion Award; Dr. Adeolu Akinboro, recipient of the Healthcare Champion Award; Dr. Steven DeRoche, recipient of the Healthy Communties Leader Award; Rae Ann Haley, recipient of the Healthy Communities Leader Award; Amanda Landry, recipient of the Healthcare Champion Award; Krystal Burns, recipient of the Life Long Learner Award; Gabrielle Richard, recipient of the Dedicated Radiology, Pharmacy and Other Allied Health Award; Kerry MacKenzie, recipient of the Dedicated Mental Health, Long Term and Continuing Care Award; Phoebe Boudreau, recipient of the Mentor Champion Award; along with Tracy Mariner and Jess Webb with OceanView Wellness Centre, who were the recipients of the Making Health Your Business Award.

Tracy Mariner is an owner of the OceanView Wellness Centre, located in St. Peter’s. The centre is home to registered massage therapists and Cape Breton’s only manual Osteopathic Practitioner, among other unique treatments which they’re the only business to offer in Nova Scotia.

Dr.

are

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the third annual awards, see Page 13.

The team at the wellness centre was “completely humbled and totally honoured and shocked,” Mariner explained, when they found out they received the award. “I think we’re just

Richmond Cheer Athletics win two more National Championships

Richmond Cheer Athletics competed over the weekend in Halifax at the Canadian Cheerleading Championships and Cheer Expo Nationals. Both RCA competing teams, Scarlet and Crimson, came home as National Champions, bringing home a total of four National Championship titles thus far. They will compete for the title of Nova Scotia Provincial Champions in Truro on April 20-21.

an organization that’s known for prioritizing health and just helping out the community.”

Gina MacDonald, Program Director for Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health, said they had a good turnout and the event was “really well attended” by the medical community especially, the award recipients and all of their supporters.

“There were a lot of really nice heartfelt words of appreciation from those who received their awards.”

The idea behind the awards, the program director said, is to show appreciation to healthcare workers in the area.

“Traditionally it is difficult to do that on a community level. A lot of people are not comfortable to just outright say thank you to the people who are contributing to health and wellness in the area,” MacDonald said. “So, this is a good way for people who don’t usually get recognition to get the recognition.”

The award process first goes through a public nomination, which MacDonald said ensures people who are doing the nominating are individuals working within facilities, interested community members, family, and friends.

The nominations then go toward a selection committee, made up of members from Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health.

“It takes a couple of days to come up with our final decision,” MacDonald explained and noted the committee has their set categories. “We try to make sure that there is a nice mix of not just all nurses and not just all doctors. We try to really cover the whole swathe of health care professionals in the area.”

The categories in the community awards were designed to not only recognize professional credentials and concrete contributions, noted MacDonald, “but also a willingness to learn and volunteer,” which are hard to honour in another way.

Next year, Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health are hoping for even more participation in terms of nominations from the community and are looking into expanding their award categories.

“We receive probably five times as many nominations as we do awards and it’s always a difficult process to go through because you want to give them to everybody. And even the people who don’t win are, a lot of times, just as deserving as the people who do.”

Photo contributed.

Pictured

the winners of the Community of Care Awards, Tracy Mariner and Jess Webb, Stephen Anthony, Lynn Delorey,

Adeolu Akinboro,

Steven DeRoche, Rae Ann Haley, Amanda Landry, and Krystal Burns. For more pictures on

Photo contributed.

Topics set for joint meeting between Port Hawkesbury, Richmond councils

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

PORT HAWKESBURY: The agenda for a joint public meeting between the Town of Port Hawkesbury and the Municipality of the County of Richmond was discussed at a recent meeting of town council, where some councillors had concerns about rushing through such a big agenda.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Terry Doyle told council the topics came back after discussions with Richmond and are now ready for council’s discussion.

Topics under regional priorities and shared agendas are housing, where three different, locally run, non-profits will be discussed; the Cape Breton South Recruitment for Health; the Allan J. MacEachen Regional Airport; Strait Area Transit; and Point Tupper Energy Sector development projects.

To be discussed under the development commission: the Eastern District Planning Commission; the Eastern Counties Regional Library; the Landry Lake Water Utility; the Point Tupper Fire Services Agreement, while the Strait Area Pool and recreation will be talked about under future initiatives between municipalities.

“I think it’s quite the agenda,” Deputy Mayor Mark MacIver noted. “It covers quite a bit and I’m satisfied with everything that is in it. If we get to it all I think it’ll be interesting.”

Councillor Jason Aucoin felt council should be more “realistic” when coming up with an agenda for the first meeting.

“Let’s try to compress this and get a legitimate agenda for one meeting and move from there,” he said.

The number of topics on the agenda were discussed and Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton echoed some councillor’s comments that it may take more than one meeting to get through all the items. The topics are all priorities to council and the mayor noted the meeting could be an all-day meeting and could take several days.

“I like that housing is up front and centre. I think that is definitely something that is a huge priority for the town and also a huge priority for Richmond County,” Chisholm-Beaton said.

The mayor noted the councils can probably spend a whole meeting just talking about housing but have to give some consideration to the amount of time we have to make sure they have time to “digest and have conversations about each and every one of those agenda items.”

It was mentioned there would be two chairs at the joint meeting who switch between meetings, and it could be a meeting to address items of concern, which affect both municipalities.

Councillor Aucoin stated he wanted to have an agenda for the first meeting and told council he felt they wouldn’t get through the items.

“So, let’s pick some, let’s have those discussions [at] the first meeting,” he said. “I don’t want to go into a meeting expecting to deal with certain things and that not be on the agenda. Let’s know what we’re going to talk about before that specific meeting. That’s my two cents.”

The deputy mayor explained if they have the set agenda, “council will work its way from the top.”

Council doesn’t usually go through an agenda they won’t finish, Aucoin stated and noted “if we don’t come up with an agenda that we’re going to go through that night, then I won’t be present at that meeting.”

After discussing the importance of the items and the time it could take, Mayor Chisholm-Beaton said it’s important to “do justice to all of these items and that’s fine if it’s three days.”

It was decided to make sure they’re “just not meeting to meet; and taking time for the topics,” the mayor said.

After the discussion, Councillor Aucoin said the plan to give time to each topic on the agenda was “perfect.”

Pitu’paq presents to Inverness council

by Kathy McCluskey

PORT HOOD: Via a Zoom presentation on April 8, Stan Johnson addressed the Municipality of the County of Inverness council members on the monthly meetings that occur between the First Nations communities and the counties in Cape Breton, under the name Pitu’paq.

The Mi’kmaq word translates to “flowing into oneness” to describe the Bras d’Or Lakes, the “waterway that connects Unama’ki First Nations Communities.”

The shared goal is “to preserve and enhance the social, economic and environmental prospects in (Unama’ki) Cape Breton for seven generations.”

Johnson, who is the chair of Pitu’paq, told council that Pitu’paq has, since 2000, addressed issues such as impacts of sewage from boats, cottage and homes with out-of-date sewage systems, and overflow from sewage treatment plants during storm surges.

They installed pump out stations for recreational boaters to dump on-board sewage, upgraded the sewage plant in Whycocomagh, and mapped the coastline where climate change models predicted impacts on public works infrastructures.

Pitu’paq held a climate change conference in 2013 in Wagmatcook, and held community workshops in First Nation communities to develop action plans and assisted municipalities in the drafting of individual climate change plans.

Continued on page 12

Man suffers non-life-threatening injuries in targeted shooting

Continued from page 1

The man was transported to hospital by EHS with non-lifethreatening injuries.

Police said in a post on X shortly after 7 a.m., the incident occurred near the 14000 block of Highway 4 in Aulds Cove.

“Police believe this is an isolated incident and that those involved are known to one another,” the post read, advising

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people to avoid the area.

In an update at 9:33 a.m., it was indicated Antigonish RCMP officers remained on scene as the investigation continued.

“At this time, there is no risk to the public.”

Following his arrest, Taylor appeared in Antigonish Provincial Court April 5, and was remanded in custody. He was scheduled to appear back before a judge on April 9, at 9:30 a.m.

Careers, Jobs and the Labour Market

What is the “Labour Market” and why do we need to know about it?

The term Labour Market refers to the supply of and demand for labour, for which employees provide the supply and employers provide the demand. So, basically anything related to jobs and the workers who do them, is the labour market.

In previous columns I have talked about students identifying their values, interests and learning styles, and how that can guide them into their best occupational paths; but if we ignore the labour market in all of this, we miss the whole point.

One of the factors that we need to examine is occupational “outlook”. This is information that indicates which jobs are growing and which are not. For example, bank tellers and cashiers are not expanding occupations. Technology like ATM’s and self-check outs are replacing these positions. Anyone choosing these jobs will likely have trouble finding work in the near future. Even if all your assessments indicate that you may be well-suited to these jobs, the labour market information (LMI for short) is warning us that employment options are limited for these careers. It may be easy to examine the past to see which jobs disappeared and pinpoint why. For example, Cobblers or Shoe Repair People are rarely in demand today due to the mass production of cheap footwear. But how can we guide our children into careers unless we can predict the future labour market?

It is estimated that over 50% of children entering school in 2024 will eventually end up working in a job that doesn’t even exist today. Technology is advancing so quickly that we can’t even imagine what jobs in the future will look like!

As our world grows and develops, “disruptive technology” will impact the labour market. Think about the invention of the automobile and how that changed our lives and work. While cars eliminated much of the need for horses and wagons, it also created jobs in manufacturing, repair, maintenance and roadbuilding. Cars led to drastic changes in the way we lived. Suburbs grew rapidly. Fuel production drove our economy.

We now see that some of these processes and products are contributing to environmental problems, so new technologies like electric cars are being developed. City Planners are studying things like the 15 minute city where walkability is important, public transit is integral, and sustainability is crucial.

According to a study by the World Economic Forum, today’s most “in demand” occupations did not exist ten years ago. So, how in the world can you decide what Career you want to pursue when you don’t know which jobs will be available?

The key to participation in the labour market of the future is developing a mindset of flexibility and commitment to life-long learning. Gone are the days of choosing an occupation, completing a diploma or degree and then working at one single job for many years.Your life and work will not be a straight path but, so much more exciting and interesting! You will change jobs, try different things, explore your creativity, and learn new things for your entire life.

As a Certified Career Development Practitioner, I can help youth and parents plan their exciting futures. Come chat with me at your school or book an appointment in our Port Hawkesbury office.

SUNDAYS 11:00 - 2:00 PORT HAWKESBURY CIVIC

A no win situation

Column by Nicole Fawcett

Amalgamation and consolidation are very complicated processes regardless if it’s a small business or a larger entity, such as a town or a municipality.

Over the past year, Strait Area Reporter Ltd. has been very busy, adding The Victoria Reporter and The Pictou Advocate. It has been, and continues to be, extremely important that each paper has its own identity and is devoted to the communities they respectfully serve. It is also extremely important for sustainability that we determine ways to decrease overhead, and not to duplicate services. We must be as cost-effective as possible without taking from the individual papers.

There were programs and services that were, and are, out of date. Some were better then others. It is taking time to weed them out and to update them. It is taking time to get the information required and to make these decisions.

While this is a ton of work, it is the only path of success for us and to ensure that we can grow within the communities we serve. The money and streamlining administrative services that is saved by removing duplication and updating, goes directly back into the papers. It is more coverage that we can offer, events we can attend, and sponsorship and community involvement that we can participate in.

While I do not pretend that the consolidation of this relatively small businesses is on par with the complexity of the consolidation of the Town of Antigonish and the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, there is without a doubt some similarities.

Keeping the individuality and unique identity of the town and every community would have had to be a priority.

There is no doubt that there is overlap of services and out-ofdate procedures and programs.

Would amalgamation have been the only answer to modernizing programs, saving, and redirecting funds for the benefit of all? I honestly do not know, simply because I did not have the information to make that determination. And very few did.

I have no doubt there were many administrative advantages. I also have no doubt this could have been a very different

Column by Ray Bates

process.

From the very start of the process, the mayor, warden, and councillors stood front and center in their firm belief that consolidation would create a strong future for both municipal units in Antigonish.

The process and the advice they received on how to proceed came from the provincial government. They didn’t make it up as they went along, they trusted and followed the information they were giving on how to proceed.

Unfortunately, I do not believe it was the best advice.

This should have been a much more inclusive process with the people having a constructive say on how it would have proceeded. Perhaps a total amalgamation would not have been the final answer. There were alternatives and the potential sharing of services that still could have made a difference.

There were a lot of personal attacks against these people who were advocating for what they believed to be the best for all. Even if you disagree with the politics and the direction of where they were going, this is not ok.

Where was the provincial government while this was going on the past few years? Hiding behind the mayor, warden and councillors letting them take the brunt of the anger and frustrations of the people while continuing to advise them to proceed.

The province was thrown into the ring when Bill 407, the Antigonish Consolidation Act, was put forward.

Instead of listening to the people, instead of providing information and meeting with numerous groups who would be involved, they pushed forward and put the bill in motion.

They did not listen to what the people wanted – the disclosure of information and a choice.

It didn’t take long for the backlash, as it was then announced the bill would be amended so that it would be reviewed by the UARB to determine if it should proceed.

Continued on page 7

RAY’S OPINION

Our ages should not be timelines established by others

At what age do we start --- or stop --- being able to achieve tasks or contemplate thoughts?

When I was 15 years old, a law dictated that I was “too young to drive” regardless of the fact that I could easily maneuver my father’s truck and tractor. When I was 65 years old the government had decided that it was time for me to retire, supposedly because I was then probably too old to perform the requirements of my job. (I had the deciding hand in that decision because --- by my choice --- I had already retired.)

Therein lies the rub, when we enable others to decide our actions we are reneging on our desires and willingness to perform tasks; we are symbolically throwing in the towel.

It is unrealistic and equally unproductive to lump all of us into “pre-determined categories” because of the number of birthdays that we have accumulated. It irks me to be told that I should not be doing an activity because of my age. I am not naive to the reality that my number of years might have affected my performances at activities; however, I am very cautious to not enable the bias of others to restrict me from engaging in desired endeavours.

Whenever I have a routine blood test my results are placed within a category with other males who share my number of years implying that all of us are similar. Those years of our living are our only resemblances.

To establish our true ages, we should ask relevant questions: Are we, or have we ever been, consumers of tobacco or cannabis? What about our alcohol consumption histories? How about our stress levels or crisis management techniques? What about our upbringing from parental care, environmental effects, health watchfulness and nutritional qualities? (You can add your own variables to my partial list of factors that will be more applicable to your years and gender.)

Ageism is so prevalent and persuasive within our society that sadly most of us simply accept it as being inevitable.

What twigged today’s topic was the frequent reference to the ages of the two contenders for the position of the president of the United States of America. One of those hopefuls will be 78 years old and the other 81 years at that election’s conclusion. Many pundits frequently reference those presidential candidates’ ages, especially the older of the two.

It is as if there is a shut-off switch reached via accumulated birthdays that causes an individual to be unsuitable.

The human body and mind are marvelous creations; neither is designed to sit or to vegetate or to discontinue mental activities.

Our

by

With current lifestyles and living realities causing too many of us to be less active --- we must strive to push back to combat the negative consequences of being sedentary.

Such a strategy will hopefully counter the erroneous opinions of others.

The bottom line to today’s opinion is that I firmly believe that no two people within the world’s approximately eight billion humans are identical. My earlier list of factors impacting your true age complemented by your own contributors causes each of us to be different.

Yes, I was born in a certain year on a specific day and at a precise time but that is where my similarity with all others sharing my birthday stops.

Many variables, from the health of my ancestors, their lifestyles, their genetic traits passed onto me via my mother and father and then re-enforced by my life circumstances also impact my true age and not the timeline established by others.

Ray Bates, A resident of Guysborough (Sedabooktook: harbour running far back), Contributing his opinions to newspapers since 1998.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Liberals finish spring session strong

The Nova Scotia Liberal caucus is finishing another legislative session strong after tabling 26 bills and boosting the provincial budget with its ideas.

“The premier has shown us time and time again that he does not have a Nova Scotians at the centre of his vision for our province – it’s all about winning the next election,” Opposition Leader Zach Churchill said. “I’m proud of our Liberal team for staying focused on what matters and presenting a suite of bills that would make life better and more affordable for Nova Scotians this session.”

The Nova Scotia Liberal caucus tabled 26 pieces of legislation, including: reducing the HST by 2 per cent – from 15 per cent to 13 per cent – the lowest in Atlantic Canada; combatting the housing crisis by introducing rent regulation and an arms-length housing authority; expanding the Heating Assistance Rebate Program to

allow more people to qualify and receive higher payments; increasing emergency preparedness by creating a dedicated fund for emergency response, adding emergency roads for high-risk areas, and protecting homeowners who need to rebuild their homes from punitive property tax increases; covering the cost of medical training for volunteer firefighters; expanding jobprotected leave for Nova Scotians with serious illness, and providing supplementary breast cancer screening for Nova Scotians with dense breasts.

“This session brought another provincial budget, and while our caucus is happy to see several of our ideas adopted by the government, it doesn’t go far enough for the many Nova Scotians struggling to make ends meet in our province.”

Nova Scotia Liberal Caucus

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Building up Nova Scotians focus of Spring Legislative session

A $16.5-billion budget that includes a new lunch program for public school students, support for people living with diabetes, incometax relief and more resources for housing and healthcare was the focus of the spring session of the House of Assembly, which closed April 5.

Budget 2024-25: Building Nova Scotia, Faster contains measures to make life more affordable, including launching a provincewide school lunch program that will roll out over the next four years and indexing tax brackets and other tax credits – starting Jan. 1, 2025 – to keep more money in Nova Scotians’ pockets.

These measures amount to the largest tax break in the province’s history and will save Nova Scotians as much as $160 million per year in taxes by 2028.

The budget will also help cover the cost of sensor-based glucose monitors and remove the age cap on the insulin pump program.

“Making life more affordable and investing in new housing, schools, hospitals, roads and highways – this budget supports all of this and so much more,” Premier Tim Houston said. “We’re pleased to pass a budget that invests in a brighter future for all Nova Scotians.”

Legislation was tabled to create a new Department of Emergency Management and establish the Nova Scotia Guard, volunteers with specialty skills and members of the public who will fill a variety of roles depending on emergency needs and will be overseen by the new department.

“Helping their fellow Nova Scotians in emergencies is the Bluenoser way, whether it’s

grabbing a shovel to dig people out of the snow or making food for people impacted by wildfires. There are so many ways to get involved,” Premier Houston said. “We will be consulting with Nova Scotians and established organizations over the summer and using their feedback as we create the Department and the Nova Scotia Guard. In the meantime, Nova Scotians can express their interest in joining by contacting 211.” Amendments to the Financial Measures Act passed this session will help put Nova Scotians’ healthcare records directly in the palm of their hands through the YourHealthNS app. The act also extends the Executive Panel on Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality for two more years and amends the Municipal Government Act to accelerate housing development across the province by cutting red tape and streamlining the approval process.

The Independent Office for Children and Youth Act, established through the Financial Measures Act, sets the stage to create an independent office to improve and ensure the rights and well-being of children and youth.

The government also passed legislation to modernize Nova Scotia’s electricity system and enhance public utility regulation in the energy sector. The new More Access to Energy Act will create an Independent Energy System Operator to manage the operations of the electricity system, making sure electricity is delivered where and when it is needed. It will also manage the connection of renewable energy projects to the grid.

The Premier’s Office

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Setting the record straight

This letter is a response to the failure of council to address concerns on the punitive tax rates for only one community in the whole Municipality of the District of Guysborough. And what we, the Eastern Guysborough County Ratepayers Association like to refer to as a sewer tax.

It is also hopefully addressing the misinformation being spread in local media about the actual taxes for the former Town of Canso residents. An area that actually takes in two municipal districts (District 8 and District 5), not just one.

What is the misinformation? Canso residents pay the base residential rate of $0.77 per $100 of assessment. PLUS, an additional $1.514 per $100 of assessment. For a combined total of $2.284 per $100 of assessment.

Not $1.514 that has been reported…. The commercial rate also combines $2.74 with the special Canso rate of $1.347, making the actual commercial rate in Canso $4.087. Not what has been reported to the public.

Guysborough village not only enjoys the exact same services, with the exception of sewer, but significantly more services. This is why the EGCRA says that the additional local services tax is a sewer tax. For in all fairness, how can council penalise one community for services with an exorbitant and punitive tax rate while completely letting another community off that has the same and better services?

Respectfully; Billy Bond President

Eastern Guysborough Ratepayers Association

by Charlie Teljeur

LETTERS TO

THE EDITOR

Trudeau’s desperate announcement can’t fix years of neglect for our troops

James Bezan, Conservative Shadow Minister for National Defence, issued the following statement after the release of the Liberals’ Defence Policy Update.

“After eight years of Trudeau, his photo-op announcements are just new promises to break, and they don’t make up for his years of neglect that has left our military gutted and in a state of disrepair,” Bezan said. “Today’s announcement comes nowhere close to resolving the crisis in our military after Trudeau’s decade of darkness.”

The Liberals’ first defence policy document ‘Strong, Secured, Engaged’ was a book of empty promises. They missed every marker set out in the original defence policy for defence spending, resulting in massive gaps in equipment and readiness. Trudeau has overspent in every department except our military, yet his government promised to cut almost $1 billion annually from the defence budget and allowed over $10 billion more to lapse over eight years.

“Under Trudeau, only 58 per cent of our forces stand ready to deploy and we are short almost 16,000 troops this year with a further 10,000 troops who are

undertrained and undeployable,” Bezan said. “Our warships are rusting out, our fighter jets are worn out, our army has been hollowed out and entire air squadrons are being shut down because they don’t have enough personnel. Our submarines are barely in the water and our warships are aging faster than expected and the Liberals’ plan to replace them is still years away.”

Trudeau is once again kicking the can down the road by committing most of the defence spending in today’s announcement until after the next election, he said, instead of ‘exploring options’, the brave women and men in the Canadian Armed Forces needs new kits, better training, and investments in their futures today, not 20 years from now.

“Only a Common Sense Conservative government will always stand with our troops,” Bezan said. “We will restore our proud military and ensure they have the equipment and resources they need to do their job to protect Canada and defend our freedoms.”

Conservative Party of Canada

A no win situation

Continued from page 6

Again, still not listening to what the people wanted – information and a choice.

As the voices grew louder, Tim Houston and the local MPs met with Let Antigonish Decide in a community meeting and the premier stood his ground, the people would not get a vote.

Two days later, after standing in front of the crowd that the mayor, warden, and councillors has been facing for the past few years, the provincial government reversed Bill 407, squashing the amalgamation.

The optics are that it was decided to sweep this all under the rug with a provincial election looming in the near future. Just make it go away.

The group Let Antigonish Decide certainly had a large part in this development. Their mandate was to give the people a choice. This did not happen; the people still did not receive information and a choice.

There are some who are claiming victory over this decision, those who did not want the amalgamation to happen at all.

For the rest, there is no victory, there is no choice, and there is no clear path forward.

Becoming an owner-occupier: advantages and disadvantages

Are you considering investing in real estate by becoming an owner-occupier of a rental building? This means you’ll live in one of the units while renting out the others. It can have some unique advantages but also some challenges. Here are a few.

Financial benefits: maximize returns

By living in one of the units, you can benefit from a residential mortgage while generating additional rental income. Plus, your down payment will be much less than if you weren’t planning to live there.

Physical proximity: easier to manage

Living on-site allows you to manage and supervise day-to-day operations more effectively. This enables you to readily address issues as they arise, resolve problems quickly and establish a closer relationship with your tenants. This can significantly contribute to tenant satisfaction and retention.

Downsides of co-housing: privacy

There are some drawbacks to living in a property you rent. For instance, you may have less privacy. Plus, managing tenant disputes can be challenging. It’s essential to weigh these factors carefully.

Investment strategy: short and long-term considerations

Being an owner-occupier can be a shortterm strategy to save on housing costs while also being a long-term investment when you choose to move out and rent out all the units. The sooner your building is paid for, the sooner it will be profitable.

In short, you must carefully analyze the pros and cons to make the right decision. Need help making up your mind? A real estate agent can help.

Just Sayin’

Reliving hockey legend with Terrible Ted’s aunt

by Dave MacNeil

I had so many questions I still had to ask as I watched the three sisters get off the bus that day in Antigonish.

It was September 1985, and I was travelling home to Mabou for the weekend on the Acadian Lines from Kentville, where I was taking a TV and radio broadcasting course. I was enjoying my window seat and, even more so, the empty seat beside me, when the three sisters boarded the bus at the Almond Street terminal in Halifax.

When I say “sisters” I mean the religious kind, as that’s an integral part of this story.

As they made their way onto the bus, in search of seats, I prayed that none of them would take the seat next to me. Ok, maybe “prayed” is too strong a word. I was a rather shy 20-year-old, and I really couldn’t think of what we might talk about, should one of them engage me in conversation.

As I intently stared out the window, watching the driver load bags onto the bus, I heard one of them say, “Is anyone sitting here?”

“Um, no,” I replied awkwardly, as she settled into the empty seat swinging a rather large purse onto her lap.

As the bus lumbered out of the terminal, she turned to me and asked, “Are you a hockey fan?”

I was surprised by the question, and not just because she was a sister. This was September, after all, and the sport wasn’t exactly top of mind, unless of course you were a young fellow who thought of little else 12 months of the year.

“Yes,” I replied, thinking this could be even more awkward than I thought.

“My nephew is a coach with the Edmonton Oilers,” she announced, seemingly confident that this would be the appropriate ice-breaker, if you can pardon the pun. “His name is Ted Green.”

My mind raced as I contemplated what she had just said. Having spent much of the past dozen or so years reading Hockey News magazines from cover-to-cover – often twice – this was a welcome, though unexpected, revelation.

A little context is probably useful here. Ted Green was indeed an assistant coach with the Oilers, who had the previous spring won their second of five Stanley Cups over seven years, led by the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.

He was also the biggest hockey story that week as training camps opened for most of the NHL teams. With Oiler coach Glen Sather thought to be on his way out, hockey pundits everywhere were confident that Green would soon be elevated to head coach.

“I talked to Teddy last night, and he’s not taking the head job,” she added.

Okay Sister, I thought to myself, you’ve got my full and

undivided attention. While the hockey world was focused on the Oilers’ head coaching job, I was just served up an exclusive a full 48 hours before Green himself would announce his intentions at a press conference.

What followed was a two-hour discussion about hockey with the unlikeliest of partners. You see, Ted Green wasn’t just Edmonton’s assistant coach. He was a part of hockey legend. While Sister called him “Teddy,” hockey fans everywhere knew him as “Terrible Ted,” a bruising rearguard thought to be the Boston Bruins’ best defenseman before a guy named Bobby Orr came along in the late 60s.

While his Bruins would go on to win Cups in 1970 and 1972, Ted was best-known for a stick-swinging altercation with St. Louis’s Wayne Maki in an exhibition game in 1969 which left him with a fractured skull and brain damage.

“Yes, we almost lost Teddy that time,” Sister recounted, as I vividly recalled the images I had seen in hockey books as a kid, with Green and Maki swinging their sticks at one another and the bloody aftermath. The photos were indeed gruesome, even by the standards of the late 60s, when such incidents were far more common.

Sister would go on to talk about living in a convent in Boston when the Bruins were winning their championships, and how she would be visited by the Esposito brothers whenever the Chicago Blackhawks would be in town. Phil Esposito, along with Orr, was the leader of those Cupwinning teams, shattering the NHL record for goals and points in a season before Gretzky came along a decade later.

Tony Esposito was the Hawks’ star goaltender who, along with his brother, was a future Hall-of-Famer.

“The Esposito’s were good Catholics, and very fine boys,” she added. “Sometimes they’d bring Bobby with them.”

“Bring Bobby with them!”

I let that last comment wash over me, as I thought my head might explode at any moment.

I wanted so much to ask Sister about her impressions of their Bruins teammate Derek Sanderson, a talented hockey player in his own right, who was far more famous for his womanizing and years of drug and alcohol addiction. But I feared that line of questioning might abruptly end our hockey talk.

We spent so much time talking about the Big Bad Bruins, that I completely overlooked the fact that her nephew had already twice watched from behind the Edmonton bench as what many consider to be the greatest team of all time hoisted the Stanley Cup. But the Antigonish bus terminal was coming into view, and our chat was done.

Ted Green died in 2019, at the age of 79. But I often think of Sister and the two-hour bus ride that brought hockey history to life.

MODG council endorses career preparation program for students

by Alec Bruce Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Guysborough Journal

GUYSBOROUGH: Council for the Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) has thrown its support behind an attempt to bring a career prep program for high school students to Guysborough Academy.

“The Options and Opportunities (O2) program has been in Nova Scotia schools for quite a few years, but it hasn’t been in the school here in Guysborough,” District 1 Councillor Paul Long told the regular meeting of

MODG council on March 20. “The school administration is looking for a letter of support from council to put the order to the Department of Education to really move that along. I think it’s a great opportunity to give students a chance to experience what they are looking at doing [in a career].”

According to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s website, the O2 program combines academic work with practical community-based learning that helps students select and prepare for postsecondary education programs that are best suited to their chosen career paths.

“Students benefit from smaller classes in their O2 cohort classes, [have] support from an O2 lead teacher for three years of high school, [are] assured seating at NSCC in one of their top two choices (as long as they meet entrance requirements), and [are eligible] to apply for an entrance scholarship from Saint Mary’s University,” the site reads. Long suggested what they’re looking at in Guysborough are programs in culinary arts and construction.

“Returning to the Doug Griffiths report, if we want trades, if we want things to come, we have to do things to entice that. Having students involved in this type of program would certainly help in that area.”

Council voted unanimously to write a letter of support advocating the introduction of the O2 program at Guysborough Academy.

According to provincial government records, St. Mary’s Academy in Sherbrooke implemented its O2 program in 2006.

One of the Most Energy Efficient Windows for Atlantic Canada 209476

Town of Port Hawkesbury approves memorial wall

Memorial wall will honour members of staff and council who passed

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

PORT HAWKESBURY: The councillors for the Town of Port Hawkesbury are moving forward with honouring employees who’ve passed away while employed and serving the town, in the form of a memorial wall.

The motion to go through with the project was passed at a council meeting on April 2, but has been in the works for a few years now.

It was initially brought forward at public meeting of council on Jan. 5, 2021, where council passed a motion for staff to create parameters around developing an employee memorial plaque. Then, council approved a list dating back to the year 2000, and it was sent to multiple designers for a mock up.

At a recent meeting on March 19, it was again discussed the

town was “looking at honouring employees who have passed away,” the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Terry Doyle, said.

The location chosen for the memorial is the town’s Civic Centre and the exact location in the building will be decided by council.

“There were a few options that were sent by Vibe Consulting,” Doyle said. The CAO noted the memorial would be 3D art, in the form of vinyl and the names would be placed on raised acrylic.

The colours are the typical blue found on other signs the Town of Port Hawkesbury, “and matches up with the branding, but it is a little bit different and it’s not something I think we’re going to see in a lot of areas,” Doyle said.

“I like the idea,” Councillor Jason Aucoin told his colleagues, further mentioning he thought the idea was “unique.”

Deputy Warden Mark MacIver said he thought honouring the past employees who helped bring the town “forward” was the

while serving

right thing to do.

The CAO told council they are looking at covering a 20-year period, since that is the number of years staff know they can capture accurately.

“One of the worst things we could do is miss someone,” Doyle said. “So, we thought we would go back 20 years from now, from employees to councillors who have passed away while serving.”

The motion to go forward with a town memorial was passed on the same day Port Hawkesbury town council acknowledged the recent passing of a former Richmond Warden Madeline Libbus, who was the first female warden on Cape Breton Island, and held the office for nine years.

Councillor Hughie MacDougall mentioned he worked with Libbus on numerous committees through the years.

“I would just like to give our condolences to Richmond County on the passing of Madeline Libbus,” MacDougall said.

Project recommendations, library funding among topics discussed in Inverness

by Kathy McCluskey

PORT HOOD: It was a beautiful sunny morning to start the Municipality of the County of Inverness’ council meeting on April 8, and excitement and chit chat in the room centred around the eclipse before the meeting was called to order.

After some housekeeping with approval of minutes from three prior meetings, District 2 Councillor Blair Phillips read out recommendations for several projects in his area.

Funding for the Belle Cote & Area Community Centre (new roof), the Margaree Salmon Association (Swimming Hole Pool Restoration),

the Margaree Area Development Association (Meals on Wheels), and the Societe Mi-Careme (renovations to the existing building) were all passed by council members, with the exception of District 1 Councillor Claude Poirier, who was not present at the meeting.

Correspondence from the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage about provincial libraries affecting Eastern County Regional Library was handled by CAO Keith MacDonald.

A report on a library strategy was presented to ECRL about three months ago in Mulgrave which included feedback from residents.

MacDonald said he will attend a meeting April 11, in Truro to be part of the provincial review committee to discuss the future of libraries and

whether or not more funding will be provided by the province. It was just announced by the department that some funding in the interim would be given to some libraries.

The CAO also updated council on correspondence from Offshore Wind Nova Scotia, with feedback sessions being planned within the county.

Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs and Housing correspondence concerned the Service Exchange Agreement and the Department of Emergency Management.

MacDonald said the e-mail from Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing John Lohr, highlighted the changes in the new agreement between the province and municipalities, though not a lot of detail, but council would

be briefed on the various changes such as the transfer of responsibility of the Sheriff’s office to the provincial Department of Justice.

He said he expected that there could be a savings for the county, after several years.

On the new shift by the province for its response to emergency services, the Home Guard, as recently announced by the province, the email from Lohr requested council support and/or encourage information sharing in recruitment of volunteers.

MacDonald told council a few residents have already asked for more details. At this time, he said, there is information on the NS 211 website about early registration.

The next meeting, a Committee of the Whole, is scheduled for April 18 at 9:30 a.m.

Attracting healthcare workers to Inverness

by Drake Lowthers The Reporter drakelowthers@porthawkesburyreporter.com

INVERNESS: A recruitment website, awards and recognition celebrations, school career fairs, promotional videos and a strategic plan will help the Municipality of the County of Inverness recruit healthcare workers to Cape Breton this year.

The municipality is receiving $88,000 from the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment (OHPR) Community Fund for these community-led projects.

“We have much work to do to show potential healthcare workers what a great life they can build in Cape Breton for

themselves and their families,” CAO Keith MacDonald said. “This funding helps us get on with the work and hopefully soon see the results and connections that will follow.”

In total, 30 organizations from across the province will receive support through the OHPR Community Fund this year, with more details to be announced soon.

“This direct funding from the province takes the ideas and creative inputs from the community and puts them front and centre,” Minister responsible for the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment Michelle Thompson said. “As they work directly to attract new healthcare workers to Inverness County.”

The fund, established in 2022, is an action item in Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare. It supports community healthcare recruitment and retention initiatives organized by local non-profit organizations, charitable community groups, cultural organizations, member-based organizations and boards, municipalities, and chambers of commerce.

The OHPR Community Fund supported 28 community-led recruitment and retention initiatives in 2022-23, investing more than $1.5 million into a range of projects, including healthcare worker recognition events, online support tools, marketing videos, and even a community garden.

Pirates 7-1.

NSJHL Championship series deadlocked at 2-2

by Drake Lowthers The Reporter drakelowthers@porthawkesburyreporter.com

BRIDGEWATER: It has now boiled down to a best of three NSJHL Championship Series following the Antigonish Jr. Bulldogs 5-4 victory over the South Shore Lumberjacks on April 6 at the Lunenburg County Sport and Lifestyle Centre.

The series is now essentially back to square one as the Bulldogs win tied the seven-game series at 2-2.

Antigonish jumped out to a 5-1 lead in Game 4 and would have to survive a three-goal comeback rally by the Lumberjacks.

Owen Forsythe and Logan McGrath scored 1:55 apart in the opening period to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. In the second, special teams played a key role as Jack Hayne scored short-handed for Antigonish to put them up 3-0 only to see Brennan Coleman reply with a power-play goal 20-seconds later for the Lumberjacks, making the score 3-1. The Bulldogs however were not finished as Venel Campbell who continues to have an outstanding series for the Bulldogs scored to go ahead 4-1, which was followed by the eventual game winner from Daniel Chaisson to put Antigonish up 5-1.

This is where it became a little tricky for the Bulldogs, as they began to hold back a furious three-goal rally by the Lumberjacks. John Shubaly’s power-play goal with a 2:53 to go in the second left Antigonish in front 5-2 after two stanzas.

In the third, Daniel LeBlanc’s power-play goal 1:28 into the final period of regulation cut the Lumberjacks deficit to now only a pair of goals.

Owen Osborne then scored for South Shore and the Bulldogs lead was down to only a goal.

In Game 4, Antigonish came out on the wrong side of a 2-1 overtime loss, which was played before a standing room only crowd.

The deciding goal came only 1:50 into sudden death, after a third period in which Adam Tkacz was tested on numerous occasions as the Lumberjacks outshot the Bulldogs 15-8 in the

frame and 38-37 overall.

With 1:52 to play in regulation, it appeared for a brief second that the Bulldogs might have scored the go-ahead goal in the 1-1 hockey game as Campbell missed by the narrowest of margins. His shot went directly on Keegan Greencorn’s pads and while being lost in a scramble momentarily, the referee was properly positioned to see that the puck never crossed the goal line.

Campbell who logged tremendous ice-time once again for the Bulldogs also missed another chance in the third when he was about to break in before a poke check by Nolan Greenlaw prevented him from getting off an excellent scoring opportunity.

The only goals in regulation came slightly less than three minutes apart in the second period when the Bulldogs’ Zachary Lorette connected for his fourth goal in three games in this championship series before Coleman scored on the power-play for the Lumberjacks on an assist from Alec Howie, who had been coming off a four-point afternoon in Game 2 in Antigonish when the Lumberjacks won 5-3.

The series now shifts back to Antigonish as the Lumberjacks and Bulldogs prepare for Game 5 on April 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Tournament Champs

Antigonish Thursday Night Men’s League

Final Whistle Wisdom

by Charlie Teljeur www.charlieteljeur.com

Why do we play sports? Moreso, what do we feel we get from them? I’m not talking about the obvious physical benefits from actually playing the games, I’m referring to the other, seemingly important yet vague intangibles said to be derived from exposure to “healthy” competition.

The first question to answer is what exactly is “healthy competition”?

One definition I found is “...when the competition itself is not about the end result of winning, but gaining other things such as learning more about the subject under consideration.” This aligns strongly with what most of us feel. That there are important things to be learned from the competition itself, regardless of the game’s final result.

And what would those things be? Camaraderie, teamwork, discipline, and most of all, the ability to lose with honour and win with grace.

The last bit is where the current paths diverge considerably. Winning and losing

with dignity in today’s sports world is not only undervalued but it’s also actively ridiculed and scorned. Winning ugly and losing badly is actually celebrated. Social media sensationalizes and revels in its ugliness. I realize that much of social media craves shock value, but the medium holds a lot of clout when it comes to the court of public opinion. People see high profile sports heroes act immaturely which gives them license to do the same whether it’s in little league baseball or beer league hockey. Brash is cool.

I don’t think we’ve actually gotten worse at winning or losing (compared to the past) but our admiration and glorification for undignified conduct certainly has.

On November 22, 2023, in a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the LA Clippers, Spurs’ Coach Greg Popovich had grown so frustrated with the booing of former Spur Kawhi Leonard that Popovich grabbed the public address mic and chastised the hometown crowd for their behaviour.

“Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play?” he asked. “It’s got no class and it’s not who we are.”

Keep in mind that these fans were booing the same player who helped San Antonio win a championship in 2014.

While I felt a deep appreciation for what Popovich had tried to do, that feeling was soon overwhelmed by the reaction expressed by so many on the other side of the issue. Commenters were voicing everything from calling Pops an out of touch dinosaur, to an egotistical blowhard, to the argument that fans pay their money and therefore have every right to react however the hell they want to react.

Instead of respecting a man’s effort to restore some sanity into the fabricated world of professional sports, he was somehow being mercilessly chastised from doing the honourable thing.

This all boils down to people’s inability to put the benefits of healthy competition in their proper order. To understand - and reaffirm - that the actual winning and losing doesn’t really matter in the bigger picture. It’s about how we act, and react, when we win or lose.

Opponents of this sort of thinking will quickly equate devaluing a game’s result to the notion that everyone gets a prize, which is not what I’m saying. Winning is important, and the struggle to achieve

something needs to be celebrated, but not at the expense of degrading the loser.

Sports are not a zero-sum issue, yet they become that when the only deciding factor is the score of the game. I win, you lose. Period.

Revelling in victory is only an enviable achievement if you give as much consideration to how you won and who you beat. The final score is just one part of the big picture.

That was evident in one of the nicest sporting moments I ever witnessed, again in the NBA, and prophetically, also involving Kawhi Leonard, only this time he was playing for the Toronto Raptors.

Leonard hit a buzzer beater in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals to send the Philadelphia 76ers to a crushing defeat. While the stadium erupted and players and fans mobbed Leonard, the first thing Raptor center Marc Gasol did was console devastated 76er Joel Embiid. That was Gasol’s first - natural - reaction. It’s not that he couldn’t appreciate the win, it’s just that, at the very same moment, he also understood the loss. One missed shot is all that stood between Gasol himself winning or losing. In the end he won’t just remember that he won, he’ll also remember how he acted when he did, and that’s what healthy competition is all about.

Owen Heukshorst, captain of the Cape Breton West Islanders lead his U18-AA team to a provincial title this past weekend in Port Hood. Heukshort finsihed the tournment with one goal and two assists, and defeated the Strait-Richmond

Photo contributed.

Coming home from Halifax with gold, the U15 Raiders Red from the Inverness Volleyball Club won the Armview Storm Invitational Tournament this past weekend. The team will be heading to Nationals in Edmonton, Alta. this May.

Novas win bronze at provincials

Provincial U18AA Champs

With

Je rey

March 2024

Jeanette Je rey is a volunteer whose dedication extends across numerous organizations, notably the Louisdale CWL, Louisdale Lion’s Club, The Fleur De Lis Seniors Club, and the Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society. As the coordinator for events such as “Daisy Day” and “Sunflower Day”, she exemplifies commitment, compassion for others and leadership. In the past, she has generously volunteered her time to provide night lunches to patients at the Strait Richmond Hospital.

Jeanette also remains a steadfast presence at the Louisdale parish bingo on Monday nights, where her unwavering volunteer spirit shines.

Please join us in recognizing Jeanette for her hard work, dedication and commitment to her community.

We thank you for all you do for Richmond County!

Jeanette

Photo contributed.

an overall record of 49-2 over 51 games this year, the Cape Breton West Islanders U18AA ended the season on a high note in their home barn, scoring seven unanswered goals, as they defeated the Strait-Richmond Pirates 7-1 in the Provincial Championship.

Photo contributed.

The hometown Novas defeated the WearWell Bombers 4-3 in double overtime winning the bronze medal game at provincials for U15 Major.

Photo contributed. The 2023-24 Nova captains

Photo by Drake Lowthers. Tanner Hayden scores a breakaway goal, which put the WearWell Bombers up 2-1.

Photo by Drake Lowthers. Duncan Anderson waits for the puck to drop during the bronze medal game in Antigonish.

Survivor series winner to be motivational speaker at NSSSA conference at StFX

by Drake Lowthers The Reporter

ANTIGONISH: StFX University is proud to host the 2024 Nova Scotia Secondary School Students’ Association (NSSSA) provincial conference, May 16-19 on campus.

NSSSA is the largest student-led leadership group in Canada, and organizers say this is going to be one of the most exciting conferences yet.

The winner of the 42nd season of the American reality TV series Survivor will be speaking to Nova Scotian youth in Grades 9 to 12 during the NSSSA leadership development weekend.

Maryanne Oketch became only the second Canadian and second Black woman to win Survivor. Oketch attended McMaster University earning a bachelor’s degree in integrated science and holds a master’s degree from Tyndale University in Toronto, Ont. She serves as a children’s ministry coordinator for a Pentecostal church east of Toronto.

Nova Scotia high school students have many great reasons to attend the NSSSA annual provincial conference, as the student-led conference focuses on promoting leadership skills and community, in a warm, inclusive atmosphere that will be full of opportunities.

“The mission behind this year’s conference called ‘B.O.O.G.I.E.’ is to bring out opportunities, inspiration, and enthusiasm in Nova Scotian students from Grades 9-12,” NSSSA Conference Committee Co-Chair Jack Bailey said. “Our hope is that we will be able to inspire delegates to take on the challenge that servant leadership provides and inspire others to do the same, after all our motto is ‘Servant leadership in a

heroic environment.’”

Other guest speakers will include Matt Thomson, Co-CEO of P4G. Thomson speaks about his own experience of coming from an agricultural family on an apple farm and in his words, choosing to

walk away in order to find his own trail, and his own orchard.

“I’m excited about the topic for this audience. The pressures high school and university students are under these days can be paralyzing but recognizing that can be liberating,” Thomson said. “Through my own personal story, from high school through university and beyond, the talk is designed to inspire folks to recognize how many incredible opportunities lie ahead, all we have to do is plant the seed.”

He puts an emphasis on finding the place where you are meant to grow, and how this looks different for everybody.

“You’ll be met with loads of opportunities at this conference including building your leadership skills, meeting new people, learning from inspirational speakers, cheering, and of course, BOOGIEING!” NSSSA Conference Committee Co-Chair Fiona Polson said. “We encourage any Grade 9, 10, 11, and 12 students who think they may like to meet new people and try something new to join us. We promise you’ll make new friends. We hope to see you all this May at StFX.”

Entrepreneur and Strategy Consultant Dillion Mendes is an alumnus of the Top 35 Under 35 global changemaker awards, the cofounder of the social enterprise, PickWaster featured on CBC, CTV, CityNews, TEDx and is a youth speaker.

Over the past five years, Mendes has travelled across North America, speaking to thousands of students about community impact and student leadership.

NSSSA students have been teaching leadership to their peers through motivation, inspiration, and demonstration since 1992.

Pitu’paq presents to Inverness council

Continued from page 5

Johnson said Pitu’paq is currently drafting a five-year action plan, in partnership with the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR) and the Collaborative Environmental Partnership Initiative (CEPI).

UINR is an organization that represents the five First Nations bands in Cape Breton on environmental and natural resource issues. It is supported by First Nations, municipalities, the province of Nova Scotia and the federal government.

CEPI is the result of a request by the Cape Breton First Nations Chiefs in 2003 to develop an overall environmental management

plan for the Bras d’Or Lakes and watershed lands.

New projects will include: the Maliamu’kik msit Ko’kqmanaq Project. It will develop and deliver workshops to assist woodlot owners on how to protect species at risk; the Unama’ki Watershed Data Collection and Stakeholder Engagement; erosion control in Malagawatch/Potlotek; work toward a low carbon economy.

In all projects, Pitu’paq will combine traditional Mi’kmaq knowledge and scientific research.

Johnson thanked council for its continued support, emphasized the need to work on a coastal protection plan, and invited members to participate and engage at any upcoming Pitu’paq meetings and information sessions.

Cape Breton South Recruitment for Health awards handed out

Photos contributed.

Dr. Laurie MacNeil and his wife Barbara MacNeil, along with Ester MacDonnell, Rachel Akinboro and Dr. Adeolu Akinboro.

Pictured is Dr. Adeolu Akinboro, delivering a speech after receiving the Health Care Champion award.

Krystal Burns, left, recipient of the Life Long Learner Award and chair of Cape Breton South Recruiting for Health, Juanita Mombourquette.

Centre Stage

Jim Cuddy coming to Stanfest, Cape Breton LOLFest

Column by Stephen Cooke

Last week’s column was, to paraphrase the great Bruce Cockburn, “Wondering where the headliners are?” with regards to this summer’s Stan Rogers Folk Festival, taking place in Canso from July 25 to 28.

Somebody’s ears must have been burning, because the day before the column ran — listing some of the fabulous East Coast, Canadian and international artists heading down Guysborough way at the end of July — the festival announced its first headliner, and it’s an impressive one.

Jim Cuddy is no stranger to Stanfest, he was on the mainstage there back in 2012 with a full band show and special guest Suzie Ungerleider, and since then he’s released two terrific solo albums as well as three records and a Christmas collection with his main gig, Blue Rodeo, which is still a going concern as it enters its 40th year with Nova Scotia-born co-founders Greg Keelor and Bazil Donovan.

The chances of getting the entire Blue Rodeo crew to Canso are probably slim at best, but Cuddy has more of a “have guitar, will travel” attitude these days. He’s just been to Halifax for the 53rd annual Juno Awards, playing one of the hottest tickets in town, an all-star Jim Cuddy & Friends showcase at the Carleton Music Bar & Grill, and appearing on the national telecast to take part in the In Memoriam tribute to late Canadian music greats Robbie Robertson and Gordon Lightfoot. It’s safe to say that without those two gigantic influences, the existence of Blue Rodeo would have been very different.

When Lightfoot passed away last May, Cuddy was interviewed about his influence, and the Toronto-based singer recalled performing his hit (That’s What You Get) For Lovin’ Me at the

age of 10 and getting the songwriter’s approval for Blue Rodeo to cover his sprightly 1966 single Go-Go Round for the 2003 album Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot.

Cuddy and his bandmates are no slouches either, he’s picked up two Juno Awards as a solo artist, in addition to the many that Blue Rodeo has earned, as well as pretty much any award or honour you can give a musician in this country, from a spot in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame to the Order of Canada. But he’d be the first to tell you that ultimately, it’s the music that matters, and any time I’ve seen Cuddy step up to a microphone, he delivers, as one of the best exponents of songcraft Canada has to offer.

“We pride ourselves on being Canada’s songwriter festival and Jim’s catalog of songs, both solo and with Blue Rodeo, stand out from the pack,” said Stanfest producer Troy Greencorn in announcing Cuddy’s addition to the bill.

“He is one of our most frequently requested artists and we are excited to welcome him back.”

In addition to the litany of artists listed last week for Stanfest, the roster now also includes Guysborough-area songwriter Carl Bond, Toronto indie-folk artist Lindy Vopnfjord, Newfoundland/Ireland trio Miscellany of Folk, Cape Breton duo Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen, Hey Rosetta’s Tim Baker and Toronto band Sam Polley & the Old Tomorrows, whose frontman bears a more-than-slight family resemblance to Stanfest’s headliner...

Ok, Polley is Cuddy’s son, but his band’s music stands up on its strengths with an appealing folk/soul/pop blend on the album Time Forgot and recent singles Wasted Love and

Another Love. Check them out for yourself, mark your calendar for a trip to Canso at the end of July, and keep an eye out for more Stanfest announcements — including the Thursday, July 25 kick-off concert — in the coming weeks. ***

Looking ahead to this weekend, fans of standup comedy will be heading to Cape Breton LOLfest on Friday, April 12 at Sydney’s Highland Arts Theatre and Saturday, April 13 at the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay.

It’s a packed lineup with Friday host Vanessa Allen joined by Ben Bankas, Clifton Cremo and Kyle Hickey, and Saturday’s gathering of Kevin Farley, Kenny Robinson and Lisa Baker joined by host Brad Rice.

If you’ve just finished doing your taxes, a few belly laughs will be more than welcome, I’m sure.

Hit the Friggen Bell

ArtWorks East to launch new visual arts program for kids

by Alec Bruce Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

GUYSBOROUGH: Former Boston high school principal Jack Leonard – now living in Boylston – recalls, with ringing clarity, how he never seemed to have enough money in his budget to hire an arts instructor.

“So, I contracted with a private citizen to come in on a weekly basis to do art with some of the students. It’s the only way I could do it,” he remembers.

Now, the retired educator, president of ArtWorks East – a collective of more than 60 local creators of everything from pen and ink drawings to crocheted bucket hats – is applying his extracurricular approach, with help from the provincial government, to enrich the lives of some Guysborough County children and their parents.

With a $10,000 grant (he prefers not to formally identity the department until the funding announcement becomes official), Leonard has embarked on a community project to supplement local public schools’ arts programming.

“What we want to do is offer four workshops each in five different

communities,” he explains. “We [haven’t] really pinned the communities down. It could be Guysborough, Canso, Whitehead, Larry’s River, New Harbour. In each one of those communities, we [will] offer two workshops for younger children, aged five to 10, and two workshops for older children.”

The first session is free and, “If you want to come back and do the second one, it might be $10, or something like that... What were trying to do is make contact with families, to find out who has kids, who wants visual arts instruction for their kids, and who might be willing to continue with us on a long-range basis.”

Some evidence suggests there is, indeed, a need.

“We’ve been wrestling with the fact that there’s not a whole lot of arts instruction in the school in Guysborough for awhile now,”

Leonard said. “I presume it’s the same in Canso. I know there is a music teacher, which is amazing. I think [visual arts] its kind of very occasional.” He adds, “We’ve had requests from parents and families for instruction in the arts. So, we wrote the grant thinking, ‘Well, let’s explore how much interest there is out there.’”

Participants can expect to learn the fundamentals of visual arts – shading, colour theory, perspective – in a variety of genres, including watercolours, acrylics, and oils.

“We’re going to ask our facilitators to spend a little bit of time introducing students to well-known Canadian artists of their

choice. So, if they are down in Tor Bay doing these classes, they might look for Acadian artists, or if they are in Lincolnville or Sunnyville, they might look for African Canadian artists.”

As for those “facilitators,” he suggested they have at least seven members of ArtWorks East who are interested in doing this.

“They’re all skilled artists who have been trained in these things themselves. And they’ve said they want to participate.”

The grant will compensate them, according to rates suggested by Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC), a federally incorporated non-profit corporation for professional visual artists in Canada.

“If we found, for example, half a dozen families up in Canso, who really want this because they all have kids between six and 12, then we would try to find ways to continue instruction on a regular basis,” Leonard said. “That might mean another grant or just, you know, negotiating with them on how much they’d be willing to pay for regular arts instruction... People are very used to spending money for hockey and things like that. But we think there are some families out there that would pay for the arts instruction their kids aren’t getting in school.”

For more information about the program and how to get involved, contact ArtWorks East at info@artworkseast.ca or on Facebook.

Guysborough Journal

Photo by Stephen Cooke.

Jim Cuddy is seen performing at Stanfest in 2012, with Suzie Ungerleider, he is set to return to the Stanfest stage this summer.

Photos by Dana MacPhail-Touesnard.

The latest production of the Nicolas Denys Players, Hit the Friggen Bell, premiered to a sold-out crowd in St. Peter’s on April 6. The event is a fundraiser for the St. Peter’s Community Club and imagined a very special episode of Family Feud Canada.

The cast of Hit the Friggen Bell, pictured during the final bow in St. Peter’s last weekend, will also perform the show in Petit de Grat on April 13 and Grand Anse on April 14. The final show is slated for Creignish on April 20.

Awards, music lift crowd during Buoy Awards night

Steve Goodwin

Coastal Nova Scotia director Ann Marie Bagnall, from left, stands with destination marketing buoy award recipients Troy Greencorn, Jennie Greencorn, Isabel James and Bill MacMillan of the Stan Rogers Folk Festival. In back is Coastal N.S. treasurer Wes Surrett. (Tourism Stan)

Coastal Nova Scotia director Ann Marie Bagnall, from left, stands on behalf of Jude Avery with fellow community business optimizer (CEO) award recipients Chris and Donnie Fraser, Kara Allen, Ann Marie Tozer and Lisa Dahr from the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia. (Tourism CEO)

By Steve Goodwin

STRAIT AREA: It was a rousing evening last Thursday as more than 100 people gathered for music and fellowship that coincided with Coastal Nova Scotia’s annual Buoy Awards and some special presentations at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.

Coastal Nova Scotia Treasurer Wes Surrett welcomed the audience with an entertaining technical show while interspersing the evening with presentations in five annual Buoy categories.

StFX University and the Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation received the Partnership Buoy Award for

co-hosting a powwow last year.

“I never expected to win an award for this but I’m truly grateful,” Paqtnkek Chief Cory Julian said. “It’s these partnerships that make our communities stronger.”

The Canso-based Stan Rogers Folk Festival was presented with the Destination Marketing Buoy Award, while Troy Greencorn, a long-time volunteer, accepted the award and introduced some of this year’s special events that include expanding the festival from four to seven days.

“When you think of the thousands of people who go to one of the most remote parts of the province, it tells you what destination marketing is,” he said.

The Ambassador Buoy Award “for outstanding commitment and dedication to the tourism industry” was presented in absentia to Kanti Chaudhan of Antigonish for leading the creation of the Antigonish Tourism Association.

Pictou 2023 received the Visitor Services Buoy Award for its innovative events package along the town’s waterfront. It included an open show tent to augment the closure and reconstruction at the deCoste Centre for Arts and Creativity through the peak tourist season and coincide with the 250th anniversary of the original Ship Hector’s landing in Pictou Harbour and the 150th anniversary of the town’s incorporation.

Organizers of the 2023 KIOTI National Grand Slam of Curling played last November at the

and

Wellness Centre earned the Event Buoy. Creative Pictou County honoured local artist Carolyn Vienneau with its first Community Impact Award, presented by executive director Carissa Ainslie.

There were also special presentations of the

Lighthouse Festival in the works, Port Bickerton Planning Assoc. elects new board

by Joanne Jordan Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Guysborough Journal

PORT BICKERTON: The Port Bickerton and Area Planning Association (PBAPA) installed a new board of directors at its first meeting of 2024 on March 25.

Donald Dodge, who served as board president for the past 24 years, passed the torch to newly elected Brian Gary, whose plans include a new Lighthouse Festival.

“I thought it was time for a fresh set of eyes and new blood,” Dodge, who will remain as a director of the board, told The Journal. Dodge will continue as director of PBAPA’s artists-inresidence program.

“I would hate to see it not exist anymore, and I would like to see it grow,” he said.

Along with Gary assuming the presidency, the PBAPA board welcomed three new members and a new secretary.

In an interview with The Journal, Gary said he became a PBAPA member in 2022 after moving to Port Bickerton, when he was looking to learn about and get involved with the community. He was elected vice president of the board after one year.

When asked about the goals for the newly elected PBAPA board, he answered, “The goal of the PBAPA is to present a rich exchange of ideas, experiences, cultures of the people who reside [here] and who visit, and [to] preserve the beauty and growth of our coastal community.”

He said that upcoming events being considered include music, kite building and flying workshops, literature readings, and painting on the shore.

“My vision as the new president is very connected to my childhood, growing up in New York City a block from Central Park. This was my backyard and playground [that] I spent hours

wandering in,” Gary explained. “Along with the natural beauty of the park, I encountered on a daily basis; artists, musicians, street performers, international folk dancers, Shakespeare in the Park, Museum Mile on the east and the launching of the Thanksgiving Day floats on the west. [I] sometimes heard Leonard Bernstein playing from his apartment.”

He said he wants to bring similarly rich, accessible arts experiences to the PBAPA.

During his time as PBAPA vice president, Gary said he presented the idea of the Lighthouse Festival to the board, something he hopes it will become an annual event.

The former basketball player, teacher, and artist said he was inspired to plan and organize the Lighthouse Festival, “by the long, rich history of the lighthouse and the natural landscape surrounding it.”

The Lighthouse Festival is scheduled for August 17 and 18 on the lighthouse grounds and at the Port Bickerton Community Centre.

“The days will consist of guided tours, workshops, exhibits, painting on and around the lighthouse grounds, music, vendors of both food and crafts, as well as informative discussions about our coastal environment and what is happening to protect and preserve [it],” Gary said. “The association welcomes all volunteers to become involved with the festival in any capacity. New members to the association only strengthens the steps [moving] forward to connecting our rural community.”

Gary added that a central theme of the festival is to celebrate and share, amongst the community and to all that visit Port Bickerton.

“The evolving community of new and old residents from Canada and internationally, form a rich environment of creative culture and diversity.”

The original lighthouse, built in 1901 for $500 to guide mariners safely into Port Bickerton Harbour, was destroyed

by fire in the late 1920s. A new lighthouse was built, the roof of which was damaged by fire in 1947.

In March 1962, a blow torch was being used to remove paint from the floorboards of the fog alarm building. The oil-soaked floorboards caught fire and the fog alarm building and fog alarm air tanks were completely destroyed; however, no other buildings were damaged.

A new concrete fog alarm building was constructed, with an attached light tower, and the lantern room on top of the structure was removed as it was no longer needed.

Electricity was brought to the lighthouse in 1972; the lighthouse became fully automated in the 1980s and staff was eventually no longer required.

The lighthouse site was being considered for sale in 1983, but the federal deputy minister of Fisheries and Oceans at that time asked to use it for field officers who were doing research on the lobster industry there. The lighthouse did not get sold once that request was granted.

When the lighthouse site was being considered as a possible site for a PCB incinerator in the 1990s, a petition with more than 400 signatures of area residents was used to fight the sale and was successful.

In 1997, the Port Bickerton and Area Planning Association opened the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Interpretive Centre, which operates from July 1 to September 30. It is a place for residents and visitors to learn the history of the community and of the lighthouse site, which today includes picnic areas and five kilometres of hiking trails.

In 2013, ownership of the lighthouse site was transferred from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s – along with a $50,000 grant for repairs. St. Mary’s leases the site to the PBAPA, and it serves as an interpretive centre during the summer months, with thousands of tourists visiting from near and far each year.

community business optimizer (CEO) awards that were given to Kara Allen from Coastal Nova Scotia, Ann Marie Tozer from the Claymore Inn in Antigonish, Jude Avery from the Larry’s River Acadian Community and Donnie Fraser on behalf of the Sherbrooke Garage.

Photos by Steve Goodwin.

Coastal Nova Scotia president Lynne Delorey stands with partnership buoy award recipients Chief Cory Julian

Megan Fogarty, director of the office of human rights and equity at St. Francis Xavier University, and Coastal N.S. treasurer Wes Surrett.

Coastal Nova Scotia director Ann Marie Bagnall, from left, stands on behalf of Jude Avery with fellow community business optimizer (CEO) award recipients Chris and Donnie Fraser, Kara Allen, Ann Marie Tozer and Lisa Dahr from the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia.

Coastal Nova Scotia director Ann Marie Bagnall, from left, stands with destination marketing buoy award recipients Troy Greencorn, Jennie Greencorn, Isabel James and Bill MacMillan of the Stan Rogers Folk Festival. In back is Coastal N.S. treasurer Wes Surrett.

Foyer Pere Fiset tender for expansion expected this spring

by Drake Lowthers The Reporter drakelowthers@porthawkesburyreporter.com

CHÉTICAMP: A tender for construction to expand the Foyer Pere Fiset nursing home in Chéticamp is expected to be issued this spring, with construction scheduled to begin in the fall.

Foyer Pere Fiset was built in 1969 with rooms designed for single occupancy, yet the majority of its 70 residents are sharing amenities; and is something the community says the 54-year-old facility is in desperate need of expansion on.

“The effort to build 2,500 new private rooms in nursing homes across the province continues,” Inverness MLA and Deputy Premier Allan MacMaster said. “While money has been approved for the expansion in Chéticamp, we must give the local community board the time they need to complete their plans.”

Residents and their families have been waiting years for the dignity of having a private room so that they no longer have to share bathrooms with other residents. The new design will also fix the challenges of the older layout which makes it difficult for caregivers to move patients and equipment.

“All nursing home residents will benefit with the hiring of 2,000 additional caregivers to increase the minimum hours of care they receive each day,” MacMaster said. “The new daily standard of 4.1 hours of care for each resident will make a difference in the lives they live.”

According to information from the province, as an added bonus, the Foyer Pere Fiset and Sacred Heart Hospital can now offer dialysis treatment to eliminate travel to Inverness and Sydney for that service. Dialysis treatment is physically exhausting, and the travel required before this service was brought to Chéticamp made it difficult for the patient and the person getting them there.

Your Community Calendar

WEDNESDAY APR. 10

-CORAH Café at NSCC Strait Campus cafeteria, 226 Reeves St, Port Hawkesbury. Enjoy coffee/tea, socializing, conversation, board games, cards and/or exercises. (55+ years) 9:00am-10:00am.

-Community Drop-in at District 10 Volunteer Fire Department. Sponsored by Bras d’Or Lakers Seniors Club. 9:00am-11:30am.

-CORAH - Unlock the World of Chess with Barb Cashin & Dale Poulette at NSCC Strait Area Campus, 226 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury. 10:00am-11:00am.

-Toddle Time at the Antigonish Library, 283 Main Street, Antigonish. 10:00am.

-Rejoignez-nous pour faire de la marche intérieure. Avril 2024. Centre La Picasse. 10H30-15H.

-Riverdale Seniors Club at the Riverdale Community Centre in Lower River. 12:00pm.

-Adult LEGO Builders Association at the Antigonish Library, 283 Main St., Antigonish. Bring a LEGO kit you’re working on and join The Builders in The Bistro Area. 1:00pm.

-Card Play/Walking Social at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Hwy 105. 1:00pm.

-Walk With Me Wednesdays at the Chedabucto Lifestyle Complex Multipurpose Room, 60 Green St, Guysborough. 1:00pm2:00pm.

-General Meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150, Arichat. All members are invited to attend. 2:00pm.

-Stitching Circle at the Antigonish Library, 283 Main St., Antigonish. Whether you knit, crochet, embroider or do another handcraft join us around our fireplace. 2:00pm.

-45 Card Game at the New Horizon Club in Arichat at 2:00pm.

-Pickle Ball at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Hwy 105. 6:00pm8:00pm.

-45 Card Play at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 37 in Mulgrave at 7:30pm.

-BINGO sponsored by Tracadie Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary at the Monastery Fire Hall at 7:30pm.

-Card Play at the Acadiaville Community Centre, West Arichat. 7:30pm.

-45 Card Play at the Mulgrave Legion at 7:30pm

-Arts & Crafts night at the Havre Boucher Community Centre multi-purpose room. 7:00pm-9:00pm.

THURSDAY APR. 11

-Build it Thursdays at the Antigonish Library, 283 Main St., Antigonish. All day drop-in Lego and block building in our Kids Room.

-Rejoignez-nous pour faire de la marche

intérieure. Avril 2024. Centre La Picasse. 10H30-15H.

-Indoor Curling at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Hwy 105. 11:00am.

-CORAH – Mediation with Monica McCarthy at NSCC Strait Campus, 226 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury. 11:00am-12:00pm.

-Sewing/Handicraft Group at District 10 Fire Hall, Red Islands. 1:00pm.

-Pickle Ball at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Hwy 105. 2:00pm4:00pm.

-BINGO at the New Horizon Club in Arichat at 2:00pm.

- Board Game Thursday at the Antigonish Library, 283 Main St., Antigonish Hey kids, come play a board game from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm Thursday afternoons. 9+.

-Slow Flow Deep Stretch at the Canso Arena Warm Room. 6:30pm-7:30pm.

-Armchair Travel at the Antigonish Library, 283 Main St. Love to travel, or explore new places and cultures, drop in the 2nd Thursday of the month. 7:00pm-8:00pm.

-Jam Session at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Hwy 105. 7:00pm

-BINGO at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 81 in Guysborough at 7:30pm.

-45 Card Play at the D’Escousse Improvement Centre at 7:30pm.

-BINGO at the Port Hastings Volunteer Fire Department at 8:00pm.

-Blind 45 Card Play at the Mulgrave Legion Branch 37 at 7:30pm.

FRIDAY APR. 12

-CORAH Café at NSCC Strait Campus cafeteria, 226 Reeves St, Port Hawkesbury. Enjoy coffee/tea, socializing, conversation, board games, cards and/or exercises. (55+ years)

9:00am-10:00am.

-CORAH – Chair Tai Chi with Michelle Greenwell at NSCC Strait Campus, 226 Reeves St, Port Hawkesbury. 10:00am11:00am.

-ABC’s for Babies at the Antigonish Town & County Library, 283 Main St., Antigonish. 11:00am-12:00pm.

-Fiber Club at Public Library, 3435 Hwy 206, Petit de Grat. 2:00pm

-Happy Hour at Creignish Recreation Centre, 2123 Hwy 19. Live music, light food.

6:00pm-9:00pm.

-Jam Session at the New Horizon’s Seniors Club in Arichat. 7:00pm-10:00pm.

-Indoor Washer Toss at the Acadiaville Hall in West Arichat. 7:30pm.

-BINGO at the Port Hawkesbury Volunteer Fire Department at 8:00pm. SATURDAY APR. 13

-Community Yard Sale at the L’Ardoise Community Centre, L’Ardoise. Contact Steve

Sampson at 902-631-4460 or Blair Sampson at 902-535-4107 to donate items or book a table. 8:30am-2:00pm.

-Giant Indoor Yard Sale at the St. Peter’s Lions Hall, St. Peter’s. To book a table call Shanna at 902-631-2746. Fundraiser for Make A Wish. 10:00am-2:00pm.

-Gentle Flow Yoga at the Chedabucto Lifestyle Complex, 60 Green St, Guysborough. 11:00am-12:00pm.

-Chase the Ace at the Tara Lynne Centre in River Bourgeois from 11:30am - 12:30pm.

-45’s Card Play at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 in Port Hawkesbury from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Bring a partner.

-Chase the Ace at the L’Ardoise Legion, Branch 110. 6:00pm-8:00pm.

-Chase the Ace at the Goldboro Interpretive Centre. 6:00pm-8:00pm

-Dinner Theatre at La Picasse on Isle

Madame featuring the Nicolas Denys Players production of Hit the Friggen Bell. To purchase tickets, contact Charlene at 902-631-3719, Brenda at 902-632-1591 or Daphne at 902-631-3957. 6:00pm.

-Cribbage at the New Horizon Club in Arichat at 7:00pm.

-Jam Session at the Island Nest, Arichat. Proceeds to the Angel Fund. 7:00pm10:00pm.

-Bingo at St. Joseph’s Parish in Port Felix.

7:30pm

-Dance at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 47 Grand Anse. 9:00pm-1:00am. SUNDAY APR. 14

-Brunch at the Judique Community Centre sponsored by the Judique Knights of Columbus. 10:30am-12:30pm.

-Mini Cribbage at the Mulgrave Royal Canadian Legion Branch 37. 1:00pm.

-Cribbage at the Seniors Room, St. Andrew’s Community Centre, St. Andrew’s. 1:00pm.

-Antigonish Writer’s Circle at the Antigonish Town & County Library, 283 Main St., Antigonish, Bistro area. Share a sample of your work, or just listen. (16+) 1:30pm -3:30pm.

-Ceilidh at Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, Judique. 2:00pm-5:00pm.

-Bingo at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150, 1219 Veteran’s Memorial Drive, Arichat. 2:00pm.

-Bingo at the Heatherton and Area Community Centre in Heatherton. 2:15pm.

-Literature Event at the Culture Club Sherbrooke, 17 Main St featuring author Justin Gregg reading from him book “If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal”. 3:00pm-5:00pm.

-Dinner Theatre at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 47 in Grand Anse featuring the Nicolas Denys Players production of Hit the Friggen Bell. Dinner is roast beef. For

tickets contact Linda 902-345-2290, Beverly 902-345-2395 or Crystal 902-302-3604.

6:00pm.

-TV Bingo - Play at the Canso Lions Club or at home on Cable 6 at 6:00pm.

MONDAY APR. 15

-Memory Café Monday at the Antigonish Town & County Library, 283 Main St., Antigonish. For people with Dementia/ Alzheimer’s, caregivers, friends, family or anyone interested in exercising their brain. 9:00am-11:00am.

-Jeux de sacs de sable, La Picasse, 3435 Hwy 206, Petit de Grat. 1:00pm-3:00pm.

-Pickleball at the D’Escousse Civic Improvement Hall. 6:30pm-8:30pm.

-Progressive 45 Card Game at the St. Andrew’s Community Centre. 7:30pm.

TUESDAY APR. 16

-Men’s Coffee Corner at the Antigonish Library, 283 Main Street, Antigonish Show your library card at The Tall and Small Cafe for a free coffee, then join us in our library Bistro area. 9:00am-10:00am.

-Rejoignez-nous pour faire de la marche intérieure. Avril 2024. Centre La Picasse. 10H30-15H.

-Creativity & Social time at the New Harbour Baptist Church basement. 9:30am11:30am.

-CORAH – Free Dance Classes at NSCC Strait Campus, 226 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury. Pre-register with Olivia at litifystudio@ gmail.com or Michele at 902-625-4252. 10:00am-11:00am.

-CORAH – Let Dan MacPhee and the 2nd year Industrial Electrical students spark your imagination at the NSCC Strait Campus, 226 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury. 1:00pm-2:00pm.

-Judique Community Centre Library is open from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.

-Chair Yoga at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Hwy 105. 2:00pm.

-Rest & Restore Yoga at the Chedabucto Lifestyle Complex, 60 Green St, Guysborough. 6:00pm-7:30pm.

-Floor Yoga at the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Hwy 105, Whycocomagh. 6:30pm.

-Music Circle at the Senior Citizen’s Hall in Cheticamp. 7:00pm-9:30pm.

-Card Play at the Havre Boucher Community Centre at 7:30pm.

UPCOMING/ONGOING EVENTS

- FEIS 2024 Presents Pages & Prose at Bear head Room, Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. Hot turkey dinner, silent auction, book readings by authors Jane Doucet and Lorne Elliott, and books for sale. Doors

Call 902-625-3300 | admin@porthawkesburyreporter.com | Events and times

open at 6:00pm, Dinner at 6:30pm. Friday April 19th.

- Brunch at the Judique Community Center sponsored by the Judique Knights of Columbus. April 28 10:30am-12:30pm.

- Caregiver Support Group – free support group offering a confidential, friendly atmosphere for you to discuss your experience and receive helpful information. 1st Wednesday of each month at the Arts & Crafts room at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Center. Call Lyn 902-595-0128 or 877-4887390 for information. 1:00pm-3:00pm.

- Music Circle – 1st Saturday of each month at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150, Arichat. Bring your own instrument. 2:004:00pm.

- Hank’s Jamboree – 4th Sunday of each month, through May, at the Havre Boucher Community Centre. 1:00pm.

- Breakfast – 1st Sunday of each month at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 150, 1219 Veteran’s Memorial Drive, Arichat. 8:00am-11:00am.

- Breakfast – 2nd Sunday of each month at the D’Escousse Civic Improvement Hall from 8am-11am.

- Breakfast – 3rd Sunday of each month at the St. George’s Channel Community Hall. 9:00am-12:00pm

- Breakfast – Last Sunday of the month at the Louisdale Lions Club. 8:00am-11:00am.

- Kitchen Parties – 3rd Sunday of each month at St. Patrick’s Hall in Guysborough Intervale. 2:00pm

- Tuesday Morning Book Club at the Antigonish Town & County Library, 283 Main St., Antigonish. Registration required 902-8634276. Book Club will meet monthly on the 2nd Tuesday. 10:00am-11:00am.

- Survivors of Suicide Support Group meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 96 Church St, Antigonish. (Monthly except July & August) 6:30pm-8:30pm.

- Spring into ECRL and find your newest adventure! Visit your local branch to explore resources, activities, and programs, or check out our website at www.ecrl.ca to learn more about our online and digital services. Whether you want to dive into a book, listen to an audiobook read by the author, watch a movie, or catch up on the day’s news, your library card unlocks a world of entertainment at no cost. Find information about your local library here: https://ecrl.ca/locations Need a new library card? Visit https://ecrl. ca/using-the-library/registration to register online.

Photo contributed.

Foyer Pere Fiset was built in 1969, a tender for an expansion project is expected to be issued this spring.

Historic banners may be coming to Guysborough

by Alec Bruce Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Guysborough Journal

GUYSBOROUGH: The Guysborough & Area Board of Trade and the Guysborough Historical Society are hoping to team up to burnish the town’s cultural profile this summer with banners that showcase the area’s key milestones and achievements.

The concept, introduced by Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) District 1 Councillor Paul Long, has been warmly received by both groups.

“I approached the board of trade with the idea, and they took it to the Guysborough Historical Society [which] met last night,” he told the regular meeting of the MODG council on March 20. “They’re on board to develop what’s going to be on the banners; a kind of historical perspective of the village.”

Long said the new banners won’t entirely replace the flowers that traditionally grace the lamp posts in the community.

“Public works staff was spending over two hours every day trying to get those [flowers] watered and looked after. It is time consuming, [and] this will be much more efficient... The banners are going to be there until we switch them out for the Remembrance Day ones... Some of the business owners are ready to support [the plan].”

So is Chris Cook, president of the historical society, who told The Journal there may be historical content to the banners and they’d be happy to help develop the content.

“It’s a great idea. You know Guysborough is one of those Atlantic coastline towns where there was so much once. The number of businesses along the waterfront and the different houses that are gone and the stores that are gone... There is only a percentage of what was in the village 120 years ago. With the lovely sidewalk we have, it would be something nice that we could develop – like a historical walk.”

Cheque presentation

The St.

Lions Hall recently donated $320 to the Adult Drop-in Centre for Mental Health for the purchase of a karaoke machine for the members weekly gathering. On hand for the cheque presentation from the Lions Club to the

Newspapers Play a Key Role in Our Communities

From supporting the growth of small businesses through local advertising, to keeping readers informed with accurate news and reporting, to giving area residents and leaders a voice as a democratic forum, newspapers help keep our communities and our minds open. Be a part of something positive: Help keep our publication and the future of journalism going strong by becoming a supporter today!

Photo by Dana MacPhail-Touesnard.

Peter’s

drop-in centre volunteers were (from left) Kelly Adams, Marie Kemp, Mary Stone, Alice Frost, Barb Adams, Bernie Landry, Marie Burkey, Richard Landry, Steve Coull and Kelvin Digout. In front are Katie LeBlanc and Richmond County Seniors Safety and Social Inclusion Coordinator Rachael LeBlanc.

Muddy roads, washouts, and an eroding embankment concern Sherbrooke area residents

by Joanne Jordan Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Guysborough Journal

SHERBROOKE: During one of their daily walks last spring alongside the St. Mary’s River on Hwy. 7, Carolyn Peters and her husband first spotted something that alarmed them.

“It was June 2023 when we really noticed a hole where the bank had eroded and you could see the water through it,” Peters said in an email interview with The Journal.

She added that they reported it to officials with the Municipality of the District of St. Mary’s and the provincial public works department.

Peters said there has been a noticeable increase in the erosion of the embankment in the past nine months, describing it as “significant.”

“The concrete bank has eroded and has fallen into the river and the bank is quickly eroding away.”

Several Sherbrooke area residents, including Peters, have expressed concerns about the conditions of the embankment, as well as a number of secondary roads, saying both the roads and the embankment need repairs. They added that unusually large amounts of water from melting snow and heavy rains this past winter have increased the usual spring troubles in the Sherbrooke area.

Peters said she worries about the impact the erosion is having on the roadway above the embankment.

“We can’t see how much undermining there is, so [there is] no way we can tell how close it is to compromising the road. The progression of the erosion has been fast and there is a huge concern for the potential impact on the road.”

Several other residents told The Journal that West Side Indian

Harbour Lake Road, Old Hill Road and a number of other unpaved roads are also in dire need of attention.

Numerous people who live on West Side Indian Harbour Lake Road say they have seen their road washed out on numerous occasions – one time on both ends. According to one resident, “There was two feet of water over the road by the bridge at the beach end, and a portion of the road along the backside washed into the lake.”

The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “They [DOT] came and put a pylon in that spot, and they still have not come back and filled it in. Now, we have a hole in the middle of the road with a tree stuck in it.”

The resident added that the spot “has washed out three years straight. It’s a lack of routine maintenance; our ditches need to be dug out and old steel and wooden culverts need to be replaced.”

Old Hill Road is another one that residents say is prone to becoming a muddy, nearly impassable mess each spring. Although it is not highly populated, the road is a shortcut and common thoroughfare between Sherbrooke and Hwy 211, which allows for drivers to bypass the part of Hwy. 7 where the embankment along the St. Mary’s River is eroding.

“Imagine if the #7 isn’t passable, and that [Old Hill Road] is the only access,” Peters said.

According to area residents – two of whom worked on pouring the cement on the embankment project – that work was done in the late 1970s or early 1980s in an attempt to stop the erosion from continuing after heavy rains and flooding. The river had risen high enough to begin taking out the embankment.

In a reply to an email from The Journal asking about plans to repair roads and the cement embankment along the St. Mary’s River, Gary Andrea, provincial public works media advisor, said, road safety is a priority for the government.

“Every effort is made to keep our roads and highways in safe and good condition. That is why we are investing more than $500 million in roadwork and major projects this fiscal year.”

When asked if he could confirm when the cement embankment was poured, Andrea stated, staff suggested the cement embankment had been in place for more than 40 years.

“Nova Scotia’s sudden swings in temperature makes our roads prone to potholes at this time of year. During the winter months, staff monitor and regularly complete cold-mix repairs as quickly as possible to improve road conditions for motorists. Repairs are prioritized based on safety.”

Andrea noted that Old Hill Road will undergo its scheduled spring grade when conditions permit, followed by regular maintenance during the summer and fall.

“Repairs to Westside Indian Harbour Lake Road are scheduled once spring weight restrictions have been lifted, with plans to use larger stone to stabilize the road.”

As to the matter of the eroding cement and embankment along the St. Mary’s River on Hwy. 7, according to Andrea, public works staff is waiting on permits before proceeding with that work.

“The department has been in contact with [the] District of St Mary’s and the municipality is aware of the planned repairs,” he wrote.

When Peters was taking photos to send with her follow-up email to the provincial public works department, which clearly show the progression of the eroding embankment, and as a warning to people wanting to stop and look at the erosion, she stated, she wouldn’t go past the guard rail as it’s not safe.

“Honestly, I think of children on school buses, and [of] emergency vehicles access to the hospital. I think of community members driving through there, [and the safety of] family [and] friends.”

Volunteers keeping River Bourgeois active

by Dana MacPhail-Touesnard

RIVER BOURGEOIS: The president of the volunteer group that keeps River Bourgeois active is hoping for more engagement with young families in the year ahead.

It was a busy year for the River Bourgeois Community Services Society (RBCSS), as the executive members reported during its recent annual general meeting at the Tara Lynne Community Centre.

The RBCSS was formed in 1978, the same year it opened the community hall. The building was renamed in 1995 in memory of fiddler Tara Lynne Touesnard, the River Bourgeois native passed away in a car accident in April 1994.

The hall underwent several upgrades in the past fiscal year, including the switch to an allelectric furnace system, new basement flooring, a new hot water heater, and a new metal roof.

The adjacent recreation complex, meanwhile, saw the addition of a walking track around the baseball field, renovations to the canteen building, and new signage. A basketball court is nearing completion.

The society is also responsible for the tennis courts, ground hockey/basketball pad, playground, and lighthouse, as well as the Anne Sampson Building (50+ Club), the cenotaph and the community funeral home.

None of that would be possible, notes RBCSS President Rose Merrick, without the community’s strong volunteer base who help do everything from preparing meals and running a canteen to building repairs and landscaping.

“There are a lot of very good volunteers in

this community,” Merrick said, adding that many of their volunteers are seniors.

Among the goals for this year is increased engagement with younger families. Merrick says they would like to see this demographic become more active in community events and they welcome feedback on what types of activities would be most attractive.

The RBCSS is set to begin another round of the Chase the Ace fundraiser on April 13, with a café that runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Tara Lynne Community Centre each week until the winning card is drawn.

Chase the Ace and the associated lunch, also prepared by volunteers, is one of two major fundraisers for the community group and funds much of the work they do throughout the year.

“I don’t think people realize that when they come to Chase the Ace and support Chase the Ace, they’re supporting everything,” noted Doreen Boudreau, who worked with the RBCSS property services committee on many of the infrastructure projects of the past year.

“If the hall goes down, everything else would go with it,” added Merrick.

The more support the community shows to the fundraisers, including the community summer festival, the more the society president said they can provide.

“We have a beautiful community, and we could have way more in this community, as far as I’m concerned,” Merrick said, noting she hopes for a bigger and better year in 2024.

Plans are currently underway for the 46th Annual River Bourgeois Festival, which is scheduled for August 25 until September 2.

Photos by Dana MacPhail-Touesnard.

The efforts of the River Bourgeois Community Services Society are based out of the Tara Lynne Community Centre.

The Anne Sampson building in River Bourgeois hosts many events for its 50+ Club members and also includes a gym in the lower level for members.

In addition to the main hall and the seniors building, the River Bourgeois Recreation Complex also includes a playground, tennis courts, ground hockey/basketball pad, walking track, baseball field and a new larger basketball pad.

APPLICATIONS

Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition Society

The mandate of the Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition is “families working together to build healthier families”. We work to enhance the health and well-being of families with young children (newborn to sixteen years of age, along with expectant parents). We are currently seeking highly motivated, self-directed applicants interested in becoming part of our Island-wide team, working in an accepting, non-judgmental work environment.

Family Place values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Family Place are based on Employer needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Family Place encourages applications of all ages. Family Place will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Family Place policy requires that the successful candidate be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Community Home Visitor (1) – Part Time – Victoria County

Community Home Visitors perform duties to support the goals and objectives of the Enhanced Home Visiting Program in their respective areas, as assigned. The Healthy Beginnings Enhanced Home Visiting Program is offered to families that are identified through an assessment process led by Public Health Services. This assessment identifies families who may potentially benefit from enhanced home visiting during the first three years of their child’s life. The program uses a family–centered, strengthsbased approach. Community Home Visitors assist families with goal planning using this approach as well as providing emotional and practical supports, role modeling, parenting information, general health information, referrals to other agencies and organizations who may be able to provide supports, assistance with family goal setting and achievement of these goals. Duties and Responsibilities include work in the areas of community home visiting, group programming, program promotion and referral, professional development, administration, reporting, and evaluation.

Qualifications

1. Education and Experience

• High School diploma; Minimum of two years of Community College; Post secondary education in human services, social sciences, or early childhood education.

• Previous experience (minimum one year) working with or connecting with families and/or young children

• Additional training in early childhood development would be an asset;

• Some knowledge of government and community-based programs and services that relate to the intended population’s needs; and

• A willingness to become certified in safe food handling, WHMIS, Emergency First Aid and Infant/Child CPR.

2. Skills and Abilities

• Good oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills;

• Capacity to work in both English and French;

• Solid problem-solving skills;

• Ability to do the work in both individual and group settings;

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain personal/professional boundaries while providing supportive services

• Knowledge of adult learning principles

• Excellent attendance record

• Excellent organization, time and general management skills;

• Ability to work effectively with participants and volunteers;

• Non-judgmental and accepting attitude;

• Expressed interest to work with families living in difficult life circumstances;

• Basic computer literacy;

• Accurate record keeping abilities;

• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team; and

• Ability to follow instructions and make decisions within the parameter of the position.

• Ability to work in both official languages

Additional Information

• This position requires:

• The ability to function both independently and collaboratively;

• The ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule including evenings and occasional weekends;

• The ability and willingness to travel and confidence to do so in all four seasons;

• Satisfactory Child Abuse Registry checks and Police Checks; and

• Access to reliable transportation.

Salary: $19.64 per hour

All applicants must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter or resume that they meet essential qualifications of education and experience in order to be considered for further assessment. Please forward cover letter, resume, and three references electronically, in Word format, to Jane at jmacintyre@familyplace.ca

Application

Deadline: April 18, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

APPLICATIONS

Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition

The mandate of the Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition is “families working together to build healthier families.” We work to enhance the health and well-being of families with young children (newborn to sixteen years of age, along with expectant parents). We are currently seeking highly motivated, self-directed applicants interested in joining our island-wide team and working in an accepting, non-judgmental work environment.

Community Home Visitor/Prenatal Nutrition Worker –Inverness/Richmond County

Community Home Visitors perform duties to support the goals and objectives of the Enhanced Home Visiting Program in their respective counties. The Healthy Beginnings Enhanced Home Visiting Program is offered to families identified through an assessment process led by Public Health Services. This assessment identifies families who may benefit from enhanced home visiting during the first three years of their child’s life. The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program supports pregnant women and their families with infants up to 24 months of age. This support may include the provision of nutritional assessments, supplements, and support services, prenatal education group sessions, play group experiences for parents and children 0-24 months, parenting support programs, etc. These services are provided both in group settings and in participants’ homes.

The program uses a family–centered, strengths-based approach. The Community Home Visitors assist families with goal planning using this approach as well as providing emotional and practical supports, role modeling, parenting information, general health information, referrals to other agencies and organizations who may be able to provide supports, assistance with family goal setting and achievement of these goals. Duties and responsibilities include community home visiting, program promotion and referral, professional development, administration, reporting, and evaluation.

This position is a split position that reports to both our Inverness and our Richmond County offices. This is a full time, full year position dependent upon available funding.

Qualifications

1. Education and Experience

• University degree or diploma in Early Childhood Education, Health Education, Nutrition, Social Sciences or related degree;

• Previous experience working with or connecting with families and/or young children;

• Capacity to deliver programs and services in both official languages;

• Knowledge of government and community-based programs and services that relate to the intended population’s needs.

2. Skills and Abilities

• The ability to work in both official languages

• Good oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills;

• Solid problem-solving skills;

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain personal/professional boundaries while providing supportive services

• Knowledge of adult learning principles and group facilitation skills:

• Additional training in early childhood development would be an asset;

• Excellent organizational, time and general management skills;

• Ability to work effectively with participants and volunteers;

• Non-judgmental and accepting attitude;

• Expressed interest to work with families living in difficult life circumstances;

• Computer literacy;

• Accurate record keeping abilities;

• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team; and

• Ability to follow instructions and make decisions within the parameter of the position.

Additional Information

This position requires:

• The ability to function both independently and collaboratively;

• The ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule including evenings and occasional weekends;

• The ability and willingness to travel;

• Satisfactory Child Abuse Registry checks and Police Checks; and

• Access to reliable transportation.

Salary: $20.75 per hour

Application Deadline: April 18, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

All applicants must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter or resume that they meet essential qualifications of education and experience in order to be considered for further assessment.

Please forward cover letter, resume and three references to: Cape Breton’s Family Place Resource Centre 714 Alexandra Street Sydney, Nova Scotia B1S 2H4

Attention: Jane MacIntyre

APPLICATIONS

Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition

The mandate of the Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition is “families working together to build healthier families”. We work to enhance the health and well being of families with young children (newborn to sixteen years of age, along with expectant parents). We are currently seeking highly motivated, self-directed applicants who are interested in becoming part of our Island-wide team, working in an accepting, nonjudgmental work environment.

Family Place values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Family Place are based on Employer needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Family Place encourages applications of all ages. Family Place will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Family Place policy requires that the successful candidates be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Parenting Journey Home Visitors (2) – Inverness County - Term (1) and Richmond County – Full Time (1)

Community Home Visitors perform duties to support the goals and objectives of the organization’s Parenting Journey program within a defined catchment area. The Community Home Visitor plans and facilitates both home-based and communitybased programs and services. The main focus of the work is the provision of a home visiting program for parents with children and youth from ages three to sixteen years. The preparation of individual family support plans and following through on these plans is central to the work. Staff may offer group programs within the community. These programs may include play groups, reading programs, parenting programs and/ or other programs. Making appropriate referrals is a key part of this program which also includes administrative duties as well as program promotion work.

Qualifications

1. Education and Experience

• High School diploma

• Previous experience working with or connecting with families with young children and/or adolescents

• Knowledge of government and community-based programs and services that relate to the intended population’s needs

• A willingness to become certified in safe food handling, WHMIS, Emergency First Aid and Infant/Child CPR

2. Skills and Abilities

• Good oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

• Capacity to work in both English and French

• Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships

• Solid problem-solving skills

• Excellent organization, time and general management skills

• Ability to work effectively with participants and volunteers

• Non-judgmental and accepting attitude

• Ability to work in a noisy, busy environment with frequent interruptions

• Expressed interest to work with families living in difficult life circumstances

• Basic computer literacy

• Accurate record keeping abilities, including collaborative development and maintenance of family plans

• Good decision-making skills

Additional Information

This position requires:

1. The ability to function both independently and collaboratively

2. The ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule including evenings and occasional weekends

3. The ability and willingness to travel

4. Satisfactory Child Abuse Registry checks and Police Checks

5. Access to reliable transportation

6. Packing, lifting, setting up and closing up of community-based program related materials.

Salary: $19.64 per hour.

All applicants must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter or resume that they meet essential qualifications of education and experience in order to be considered for further assessment. Please forward cover letter, resume, and three references electronically, in Word format, to Jane at jmacintyre@familyplace.ca

Application Deadline: April 18, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

APPLICATIONS

Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition

The mandate of the Cape Breton Family Resource Coalition is “families working together to build healthier families.” We work to enhance the health and well-being of families with young children (newborn to sixteen years of age, along with expectant parents). We are currently seeking highly motivated, self-directed applicants interested in joining our Island-wide team, working in an accepting, non-judgmental work environment.

Family Place values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Family Place are based on Employer needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Family Place encourages applications of all ages. Family Place will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on these characteristics. Family Place policy requires that the successful candidate be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Program Coordinator – Inverness and Richmond Counties

The work will focus on organizing, implementing, and overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations, including staff supervision, partnership management, work plans/schedules, program statistics and reports, site visits, occupational health and safety, evaluation (program and staff), and administrative work. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Coordinator helps ensure that the organization works within its mission to meet its overall goals and objectives. While the work takes place in a unionized environment, this position is not a bargaining unit position. The office location for this position is Lennox Passage, with approximately two days per week required in Inverness.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• University degree in Human Resources, Early Childhood Education, Social Sciences or related degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience;

• Understanding of population health promotion and adult education principles;

• Minimum five years of Management experience in community development or related field;

• Previous experience working with families with children who are part of the intended population of the organization;

• Human Resource/Services managerial training;

• A working knowledge of government and community-based programs and services that relate to the intended population’s needs;

• Knowledge of applicable Employment Support Income Assistance, Day Care, and Child Welfare legislation

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

• Excellent problem-solving and mediation skills

• Group facilitation skills

• - Ability to communicate in both English and French

• Demonstrated teamwork and leadership skills

• Excellent time and general management skills

• Ability to work effectively with participants, volunteers, staff, management, non-profit or publically funded groups, agencies and organizations, and government departmental staff

• Non-judgmental and accepting attitude

• Demonstrated understanding and application of community development principles

• Demonstrated ability to work with families living in difficult life circumstances

• Excellent computer literacy

Additional Information

This position requires:

1. The ability to function both independently and collaboratively

2. The ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including evenings and occasional weekends

3. The ability and willingness to travel

4. Satisfactory Child Abuse Registry checks and Police Checks

5. Access to reliable transportation

6. Packing, lifting, setting up, and delivering community-based program-related materials.

Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience

All applicants must demonstrate in their cover letter and resume that they meet essential qualifications of education and experience to be considered for further assessment. Please forward the cover letter, resume, and three references electronically, in Word format, to Jane at jmacintyre@familyplace.ca

Applications are open until the position is filled.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest. Given time and volume constraints, only those applicants screened through to the interview stage will be contacted.

TREE CUTTING and TRIMMING

Whether it’s broken or just unwanted trees in your yard we can cut, chip or just remove them safely. Call for free estimate, fully insured, Gerald: 902-631-0325

The Lasting Tribute MEMORIALS

Guaranteed Memorials Free Delivery and Erection

JOHN D. STEELE’S SONS LTD.

A Cape Breton Industry since 1896 Phone 794-2713 North Sydney, N.S. After Hours 794-3171; 794-4411

LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES

Charles MacKinnon 345-2480

Stephen Samson, St. Peter's 535-2809 210048

Tourism in Richmond County

by Ann Marie Yorke

The Spring weather may be a little unpredictable at times but one thing residents of Richmond can count on is the quality and variety of entertainment that is offered to keep us from being bored until Summer arrives. Here is a list of some of the great events taking place around the county for this coming week. If attending yard sales is something that you enjoy you will want to mark these dates on your calendar. On Saturday, April 13, come to the Community Yard Sale at the L’Ardoise Community Centre from 8:30am to 2pm. There will also be an Auction Bake Table. Anyone wanting to donate items for the Community tables can contact Steve Sampson at 902-631-4460 or Blair Sampson at 902535-4107. Vendor tables are also available. This is a fundraiser for the Cemetary Fund.

Also on Saturday, April 13 from 10am to 2pm, there will be a Giant Indoor Yard Sale at the St. Peter’s Lions Hall in St. Peter’s. Great time to declutter your house while making some money at the same time. Book your table at the Yard Sale for $20.00 by

KOC 7924 LOTTERY WINNERS

calling Shanna 902-631-2746. This is a fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation. There will also be hotdogs for sale and 5050 tickets.

If you enjoy Dinner Theatre you will want to mark down this date, Saturday, April 13 at 6pm: Come to La Picasse in Petit de Grat on Isle Madame as the St. Anne’s Auxiliary presents their Dinner Theatre. The Dinner consists of Lasagna with Caesar Salad, and Chocolate trifle, tea or coffee. The Theatre production is Hit the Friggen Bell performed by The Nicolas Denys Players. Doors open at 5pm. Tickets are $40.00 per person and can be purchased by calling Charlene Bowen at 902-631- 3719 or Brenda Samson at 902-632-1591 or Daphne Campbell at 902-631-3957.

If you can’t make the Dinner Theatre on April 13, then you still could take it in on Sunday, April 14 at 4:30pm: – The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 47 in Grand Anse will be hosting a Dinner Theatre, featuring the Nicolas Denys Players production of Ring the Friggen Bell and a Roast Beef Dinner. Tickets are $40.00 per person. Tickets go on sale March 1 from the Legion (902-345-2610) or contact Linda (902-345-2290), Beverly (902-345-2395) or Crystal (902-302-3604). Dinner starts at 6pm and there will be no refunds. For a full list of entertainment scheduled around Richmond please go to www.visitstpeters.com and for Recreational activities go to www.richmondcounty.ca and click on the Summer Richmond Reflections Newsletter.

Until next week, I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy all Richmond has to offer.

ARICHAT BIBLE CHURCH

Baptist Sundays – Adult Bible Study and Sunday School – 10:00 a.m. Worship Service – 11:00 a.m.

ROMAN CATHOLIC

St. Joseph’s – Port Hawkesbury Services held Saturdays at 4pm Sundays at 10am St. Lawrence Parish – Mulgrave Sat. - 6 p.m.

Stella Maris Pastoral Unit, Isle Madame. St. Joseph Parish, Petit de Grat - Saturdays at 4:00pm [alternating language French one week; English the next] Our Lady of Assumption, ArichatSundays at 10:00am [alternating language English one week; bilingual {E/F} the next]

UNITED BAPTIST

Port Hawkesbury – A.U.B.C. Service– 10:30 a.m. www.phubc.com Phone: 902-625-0830

GOSPEL FELLOWSHIP (Non-Denominational)

10:30 a.m. Pastor Wanda

Grant Evergreen Seniors Club Embree St., Port Hawkesbury Phone: 902-625-0357

EASTERN GUYSBOROUGH

UNITED CHURCH

Rev. Heather Manuel Phone: 902-533-3711

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

St. Peter’s Grand River, Loch Lomond Pastoral Charge St. Peter’s

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA West Bay, Black River, Princeville ALL SERVICES 10 a.m. 902-345-2619

Carol Joy Shatford DLM

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

St. Mark’s United Church, 504 Bernard St., Port Hawkesbury Sunday 9:30 a.m. Church Office 902-625-2229

E-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

St. David’s United Church 7 Old Victoria Road Port Hastings, NS Sunday Service 11 a.m. 902-625-2178 With Sandi Irving ANGLICAN COMMUNITY in STRAIT-CHEDABUCTO

St. James – Melford Saturday –7 p.m. St. Andrews, Mulgrave Sunday – 9:15 a.m. Holy Trinity, Port Hawkesbury Sunday – 11:00 a.m. Rectory: 902-747-2255

RIVER & LAKESIDE PASTORAL CHARGE

Forbes United Church, River Denys.

SOVEREIGN GRACE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

Blues Mills Fire Hall TCH 105 –11:00 a.m. 902-756-2203 Rev. Wayne MacLeod

MULGRAVE PASTORAL CHARGE (United Church) St. Matthew’s, Afton: 9:00 a.m. Trinity, Mulgrave: 10:45 a.m. Hadleyville: 12:30 p.m.

Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home Ltd. CANSO 902-366-2308 GUYSBOROUGH

HEAD OFFICE 724 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2N8 902-625-1911

WHYCOCOMAGH 902-756-2446 ST. PETER’S 902-535-3067

Information on Pre-Arranged Funerals Available

John Langley Funeral Director

Clem Munroe Funeral Director

Craig MacLean Funeral Director

724

Steven MacIntosh Funeral Director

Martin Flood Funeral Director Joni Lee Thompson Funeral Director

Patrick MacNeil # 205 $250

Danena MacLellan # 433 $250

Adrienne Smith # 343 $250

Memoriam

Gerard Burke April 11, 2020

They say there is a reason They say that time will heal Neither time nor reason Can change the way I feel Gone are the times we used to share But in my heart, you’re always here The gates of memories will never close I miss you more than anyone knows So, as I travel on in life I am comforted as I go

In a lifetime of memories Of the man who loved me so. I’ve been loved by the best. Always your soul mate and wife, Eileen.

Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury NS B9A 2N8

Eastern Zone temporary Emergency Department closures

STRAIT AREA: The following emergency departments (ED) in Nova Scotia Health’s Eastern Zone (Cape Breton Island, Antigonish and Guysborough counties) will experience temporary closures between Apr. 5-12, 2024:

Eastern Memorial Hospital (Canso)

Closed: Thursday, Apr. 11 at 9 a.m.; Reopens: Monday, Apr. 22 at 12 p.m.

Guysborough Memorial Hospital

Closed: Thursday, Apr. 11 at 7 a.m.; Reopens: Friday, Apr. 12 at 8 a.m.

Strait Richmond Hospital (Evanston)

Closed: Wednesday, Apr. 10 at 7 a.m.; Reopens: Thursday, Apr. 11 at 8 a.m.

Closed: Friday, Apr. 12 at 7 a.m.; Reopens: Monday, Apr. 15 at 8 a.m.

Improvements to Secondary, Backyard Suite Incentive Program

NOVA SCOTIA: Nova Scotians can now access more money to build a secondary or backyard suite and a wider range of family members are now eligible to live in them.

The province is offering forgivable loans of up to $40,000 – up from $25,000 – to people who want to create affordable secondary or backyard suites on their property, and people can use the forgivable loan for costs such as construction materials, labour, permits or to buy a prefabricated backyard suite.

“In our current housing market, every affordable home we can create is needed. When we created this program, we promised to do a review to ensure it was achieving the best outcomes for Nova Scotians, and we’re pleased to provide even more access to funding as a result,” Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Lohr said. “These changes will help more people build affordable homes for people who need them – whether that’s a family member with a disability who needs an accessible unit, a senior family member or a postsecondary student.”

Secondary and backyard suites are self-contained dwelling units located inside an existing home or on the same property and registered under the same title.

The province has expanded the list of those eligible to live in and build these units. Family members living with disabilities,

Things to know about zero-emission vehicles

Did you know that electric vehicles (EVs) were cruising around for decades before the first cars powered by internal combustion engines hit the road? EVs, also known as zero-emission vehicles, or ZEVs, have come a long way since the first ones were invented nearly a century ago. If you’re curious about buying one, here are a couple things you should know.

Cost to own Electricity isn’t free, but the cost to charge an EV battery is far lower than the price of gas. And beyond the savings at the pump, EVs can be cheaper to maintain than standard vehicles. For one, there’s no need for regular oil changes and tune-ups. There are also very few moving parts in an EV compared to a gas or diesel vehicle, meaning fewer things to wear out and break down, like transmission and exhaust systems.

Range per charge

One of the main concerns people have about EVs is their range. Most EVs on the market have a driving range of at least 200

to 300 kilometres, with the top-performing ones being able to travel 600 kilometres or more on a single charge. If you need a mix of long and shorter trips, you might consider a plug-in hybrid vehicle that runs on battery power and then switches over to a combustion engine when the battery is depleted.

Rebate eligibility

Across Canada, the federal government’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles Program offers rebates of up to $5,000 for the purchase or lease of EVs for personal use.

There’s also a program for businesses looking to buy or lease medium or heavyduty work vehicles. It’s called the Incentives for Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles Program, with incentives of up to $200,000 per eligible vehicle.

Learn more about these programs by searching zero-emission vehicles on canada. ca.

– News Canada

Weekly Traffic Advisories

NEW WORK

INVERNESS COUNTY: Victoria Bridge, Kingsville

Highway 105 near Riverside Road will have one lane closed starting Wednesday, April 10, to allow for repairs on the Victoria Bridge.

Work will continue until May 30. Traffic lights will be in place, and work will happen weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

CONTINUING WORK

COLCHESTER COUNTY: Donaldson Bridge, French River Donaldson Bridge on Lake Road, about three kilometres west of Tatamagouche, is closed until further notice.

The detours are on Trout Brook Road and Cooper Road.

COLCHESTER COUNTY: Old Truro Road, Tatamagouche

Old Truro Road, from the Kennedy Hill intersection to Cross Road in North River, is closed until further notice because of a large culvert failure.

A detour is in place.

COLCHESTER COUNTY: Slade Road, Tatamagouche

Slade Road is closed between Lake Road and West Tatamagouche Road

until further notice because of a bridge closure.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Fountain Road, South Middleboro Fountain Road, between Hunter Road and Simmonds Road, is closed until Friday, May 17, for removal and replacement of the Howard Bridge. Traffic will be detoured from Fountain Road via Simmonds Road and Keers Mill Road.

Vehicles more than four metres wide need an alternate route because of the width of structures on the detour route.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY: Route 366 A section of Route 366 is closed because of a culvert failure. Only local traffic is allowed from East Amherst to Port Howe. A detour is available via Trunk 6. The culvert is expected to be replaced this summer.

HALIFAX REGIONAL

MUNICIPALITY: Highway 102, Bedford / Lower Sackville Highway 102 from Exit 4A to Exit 4C has lane reductions and intermittent road closures in both directions for the construction of the Highway 107-Highway 102 interchange until

grandchildren, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews are now eligible to live in or build suites.

Previously, only parents and step-parents at least 65 years old, and adult children and stepchildren of senior homeowners were eligible to live in the units, as well as anyone who was below the household income limits for the area.

“These changes will make a huge difference. Accessible units are hard to find, so this means people won’t have to leave their communities of choice to find accessible housing,” Nova Scotia Residential Agencies Association Executive Director Lora Church said. “Units can be built to accommodate the unique needs of each person. People will be able to live more independently, but with support from family members close by if they need it.”

This affordability stream of the program continues. Homeowners can charge a maximum of 80 per cent of average market rent and rent to anyone – family member or not – who is below the household income limit.

The changes to the program take effect immediately. Anyone who has already been approved can take advantage of the expanded loan amount and criteria.

To date, the province has received more than 500 inquiries about the program, received 48 applications and have approved 25 forgivable loans.

Nova Scotia sees strong tourism recovery in 2023

NOVA SCOTIA: The province welcomed 2.2 million visitors in 2023, an increase of 14 per cent compared with the previous year’s 1.9 million.

“Nova Scotia has so much to offer visitors, and it is wonderful to see tourism getting back on track and poised for growth,” Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Allan MacMaster said. “We’re working closely with operators and communities to keep the momentum going for 2024 and raise Nova Scotia’s profile as a top vacation destination.”

The province invested more than $4 million in programs in 2023 to support tourism businesses and communities with marketing, digital adoption, and product development. Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage runs advertising campaigns in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany to promote travel to Nova Scotia.

Visitation was six per cent below prepandemic 2019, due mostly to softer recovery

further notice.

Traffic control is on-site. Work takes place from sunrise to sunset.

HALIFAX REGIONAL

MUNICIPALITY: Highway 111 (Windsor Street Exchange), Halifax Construction on the structure over Mackintosh Street will continue until further notice.

Traffic control is on-site.

HANTS COUNTY: Highway 101, Windsor The westbound on-ramp at Exit 6, Highway 101, is closed for the construction of a new interchange to downtown Windsor.

A detour is available via Exit 5A or Exit 7. The on-ramp is closed until Tuesday, April 30.

RICHMOND COUNTY: Port Royal Bridge, Isle Madame Port Royal Bridge on Port Royal Road is closed until further notice. A detour is in place on MacEachern Road.

VICTORIA COUNTY: Seal Island Bridge

The Seal Island Bridge will be reduced to one lane for maintenance on Monday, April 8, and Tuesday, April 9.

Traffic control will be on-site. Work takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

YARMOUTH COUNTY: Gavel Road Overpass, Tusket Highway 103 at Exit 33, Gavel Road Overpass, has alternating lane closures for bridge rehabilitation until Sunday, April 21.

Traffic control is on-site. Work takes place weekdays from sunrise to sun set.

of tourists from Atlantic Canada and the United States, but the number of visitors from Ontario, Western Canada and overseas grew.

According to information from the province, they are working with the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia on a tourism sector strategy for Nova Scotia, which will be released this year.

“Tourism is a critical part of our provincial economy with annual revenues over $3 billion, employing more than 50,000 Nova Scotians,” Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia President Darlene Grant Fiander said. “It is encouraging to see tourism recovering after a challenging couple of years, and we know with an integrated and holistic approach to growth there is tremendous opportunity in the years to come.”

Accommodation operators reported growth in sales compared with both 2022 and 2019, with three million room nights sold in 2023.

Tender #MOCR20405

Swimming Pool Use

REQUEST FOR QUOTATION

The Municipality of the County of Richmond is seeking residents/businesses who may be interested in hosting municipally run swimming lessons within Richmond County for the Summer of 2024.

The detailed Request for Proposal is available on the municipal website at https://www.richmondcounty.ca or may be requested electronically by contacting the undersigned. Not necessarily the lowest or any bid will be accepted.

Proposals may be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Tender MOCR202405 – Swimming Pool Use” to the undersigned or via email to smury@richmondcounty.ca

no later than 2:00 pm on Friday May 17, 2024

Should you have any questions on this matter, please contact:

Shannon Mury

More artwork on display at Friends United

A Show of Hands!

Host the newest Cape Breton artist to your community! to Do you have a spare room or apartment rental?

Would you like to provide a residence for an artist who is relocating to Unamaʼki Cape Breton to develop their craft business at the Port Hawkesbury Customs House Artisan Incubator on Granville Street?

In partnership, Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design (the Centre) and the Town of Port Hawkesbury provide artist studio space and entrepreneurial development experience to artists who have applied to relocate to our beautiful island in order to grow their craft business.

As hosts or landlords, you could be the first to meet these new creative residents and in turn receive a handmade piece of craft made just for you, along with your negotiated rental fees.

Our newest residents arrive in June and October respectively.

Please reach out to Cassie MacDonald at: cassie@capebretoncraft.com or 902-270-7491

if you are interested in providing a rental space.

Community Information Sessions

ABO Wind Canada is hosting two drop-in community information sessions to share updates on our proposed Rhodena Wind Project, to be located between Route 19 and TCH 105 in Inverness County.

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Afternoon drop-in session: 2pm - 4:30pm

Evening drop-in session: 6pm - 8:30pm

Creignish Recreation Centre 2123 Route 19, Creignish

ABO Wind looks forward to hearing your feedback and discussing our wind farm project with you!

More information and contact: www.rhodenawind.ca

Ojibway First Nation self-taught artist, Jay Bell Redbird, who passed away in 2019, has a wall dedicated to his work at Friends United.

Photos contributed.

A new display at Friends United is dedicated to Cape Breton Indigenous artist Loretta Gould.

PG2

Municipalities to receive a combined $52 million annual increase in funding to face challenges

PG4

Lost Chinese Toy Pug finds new home in

GolfNorth and Parks Canada announce

closure of Keltic Lodge’s Main Lodge

Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Ingonish Beach - On April 3, 2024, in a joint statement with Parks Canada, GolfNorth operators of Keltic Lodge made the decision to close the main lodge and several cottages in Ingonish, N.S., noting tens of millions of dollars are required to comply with minimum current standards.

“Despite substantial GolfNorth investment, the condition of the aging main lodge and cottages has proven to be a challenge,” the statement issued by GolfNorth mentioned.

Located in Ingonish Beach, Keltic Lodge was built in 1904 and has opened to tourists since 1932. The property is now owned by Parks Canada and operated by GolfNorth.

Continued on page 2

Shop helps artists around Atlantic Canada grow

Successful emergency response in highlands demonstrates need for a wintertime rescue vehicle

Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

North Shore - On March 24, 2024 the North Shore

Fire

was paged to a snowmobile

in the highlands and after a successful collaborative rescue, emergency officials are noting the benefit of having a tracked response vehicle, for wintertime rescue, in the highlands of Victoria County.

The first person to arrive on scene that day was Brent Partland, who said it was a successful mutual aid response between rescue services. Partland noted they were “lucky” East Margaree Volunteer Fire Department had the tracked equipment needed for the rescue.

“One of the things was that we knew was they had the machinery available,” Partland said.

“I knew it was a capable machine of travelling on the snow, it’s capable of travelling on all terrain pretty much. I knew we would need something along those lines.”

Partland met with members from Ingonish Beach fire services, who heard the page while snowmobiling in the area, then the first responder made some radio calls. He connected with East Margaree fire services to get the equipment ready and requested the life flight helicopter on standby.

Margaree Fire Department heard of the accident and were already mobilizing when Partland connected with them. He explained utilizing a trunk radio, they were able to communicate with Life Flight, fire services and dispatch all on the same channel.

The responders rode up on the back of a snowmobile, carrying the rescue gear up by hand. Partland noted the snowmobilers on scene “did a great job” at making a splint and keeping the injured person safe.

Life Flight and East Margaree Volunteer Fire Department arrived within 15 minutes of each other. The aircraft landed four kilometres down the road and along with the special rescue equipment East Margaree sent, they also provided three medical first responders.

“So, what we utilized Margaree for, was moving the patient from the accident scene to the helicopter.

Because the helicopter couldn’t land right where we were, the terrain wasn’t right and it was sloped. There wasn’t enough clearance for the rotary aircraft to land.”

Continued on page 4

Photo Attribution; Keezix1000; Wikimedia Commons; Councillor Larry Dauphinee said residents of the community, province and Canada should be upset with the deterioration of “such a historic building,” which also brings employment and economic growth to the community.

Service exchange agreement signed; Municipalities to receive

a

combined $52 million annual increase in funding to face challenges

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Halifax - After a service exchange agreement was signed on March 28, 2024, changes aimed at municipal growth and sustainability take effect in all 49 municipalities across the province.

The agreement, also known as a memorandum of understanding (MOU), came into effect on April 1, 2024 and represents an annual investment of $82 million from the province. This is a $52 million increase from the already $30 million in funding, through what is known as the annual Municipal Financial Capacity Grant.

The Warden of the Municipality of Victory County, Bruce Morrison, was one of several municipal representatives who sat on the Service Exchange Board. Morrison said the new act doesn’t have any detrimental effect on the municipality and was an agreement needing to be looked at.

“It was an agreement that really needed to be upgraded. It’s been over 30 some years since the last agreement and I’m pleased with the effect it had on our municipality,” Morrison said, noting “It probably netted us $180,000 and transferred some responsibilities back onto the province.”

During the announcement of the agreement, councils across the province noted their concerns and suggested amendments. Certain changes the province had initially planned, such as passing the maintenance of; G, H, I and J class roads, onto municipalities was pushed to a later discussion. Morrison avoiding taking this on was another positive outcome from the

talks, as it would be too expensive for the municipality.

“We have a lot of G, H, I and J class roads within Victoria County and there’s no way we would have been able to afford the maintenance and repair of those roads,” the warden explained.

The previous agreement had been in place since 1995, and the new agreement is the result of hundreds of hours of consultations over 18 months, with all municipalities across the province.

“We are proud of the work accomplished together, which reflects the needs of Nova Scotians and supports the growth of our communities,” John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said during the signing on March 28, 2024.

Some of the noted changes which took effect: are removing the requirement under the Corrections Act for municipalities to make an annual contribution towards corrections, removing the requirement for municipalities to pay a portion of the net operating losses for public housing.

Furthermore, a change to the Education Act turns ownership of schools, built prior to 1981, back to the province when obsolete, with municipalities given the first right of offer to purchase the building at a negotiated price.

“The new service exchange agreement reflects a collaborative effort to support the diverse needs of Nova Scotians and bolster the vitality of our municipalities. With increased investment and streamlined processes, we are better equipped to address the challenges and opportunities facing our communities,”

Juanita Spencer, CEO of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, said.

Expression of interest out to investigate new potential municipal building

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Baddeck - Victoria County council are requesting an expression of interest to hire a consultant experienced in municipal planning, architecture and infrastructure development, to investigate a potential new administrative location for the Victoria County Municipal building.

The building which the current council chambers and administrative offices are located in was built in 1889 and is located on Chebucto Street in Baddeck, N.S. According to the municipality, preliminary consideration indicates a need for a building of approximately 12,750 square feet.

Jennifer Dagsvik, Communications and Marketing Coordinator for the Municipality of Victoria County, said council is looking at a new space by 2030.

“Victoria County’s municipal building is a historic treasure, however there are number of challenges due to the age and maintenance cost and limitations imposed on space, functionality and accessibility,” Dagsvik said.

“So, council is hiring a consultant to look at the options objectively and consider facts, such as construction costs, maintenance and public requirements that are needed to make this an accessible space.”

Dagsvik said the consultant will also be considering access to services, transportation and the municipalities administrative needs. The communications officer noted the

recommendations from the consultant will be shared with residents of the county.

At a meeting of Victoria County council on February 1, 2022, Nicholas Charlton, a director of facility assessments with J.S. Held, said it would be about $1 million to address the interior accessibility issues alone.

“You can save the building, but it’s not the type of building you want to spend that type of money on,” Charlton told council, noting at that time it would take close to $6 million to bring it up to the standard it should be.

The Municipality of the County of Victoria has about 7,000 residents across approximately 2,878 square kilometres. The county has 4,924 homes and spans from Iona at the southernmost point, to Bay St. Lawrence and Capstick at the top of the island.

“As the public attend council for presentations, there must be adequate public seating and wheelchair space, including storage for additional chairs in event of a large crowd. The design should consider all aspects of security. The public should have access in stages such as paying a bill with staff behind a screen with access to other offices by permission being granted to administrative and other departments,” a public release on the county’s website noted.

“This can be accomplished by arrangement of building space. The entry to the building allows access to the administrative functions and to council chambers. The entry also must accommodate people waiting for appointments.”

The release mentioned administration will require ten offices and work rooms and council is also looking for two meeting rooms one of which will be formal, the other being for internal meetings.

The municipality is requesting submissions

from architects, who are licensed to practice in Nova Scotia and have experience in the design of municipal facilities. Submissions for the project are open until April 29, 2024, by 3:30 p.m. and can be submitted into the municipal office at the address found on the municipality’s website.

GolfNorth and Parks Canada announce closure of Keltic Lodge’s Main Lodge

Continued from page 1

Standards and codes which need updating at the main lodge, include electrical, heating, air conditioning and accessibility upgrades. The joint release mentioned other facilities on the property and across the peninsula, such as Cape Breton Highlands Links, the Arduaine Restaurant, the Spa, and other amenities, will remain open.

“Parks Canada and GolfNorth are keenly aware of the historic, cultural, and local community significance of the Keltic Lodge and Middle Head Peninsula. Parks Canada is currently confirming the building’s heritage values through the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office guidelines.” The release further mentioned the information gathered from the review will be used to make decisions around the future of the building.

Keltic Lodge resides in councillor Larry Dauphinee’s district and the councillor feels the assessment is coming “nine years too late.”

“Golf north has been there for nine years and only last year did they do a capital assessment for what needed to be done,”

Dauphinee said.

“For eight years they didn’t do anything and just let things deteriorate. Everyone knows the property is not in the best shape, but they’re the ones who signed the lease when it was originally signed and the lease clearly states that it’s up to them to maintain it.”

Dauphinee, who said he’s not “happy” with the decision to close the main lodge, noted the government has some responsibility the area as well. With the building being a Parks Canada owned building, as a council, all they can do is advocate to get something done.

“I know it’s a lot of money, but it’s not something we’re willing to lose in our community,” he said.

Nova Scotia Power disconnected the power to the main lodge on December 29, 2023, after Ingonish Beach Volunteer Fire Department responded to the report of an electrical fire at the Keltic Lodge. According to a report from the fire department, members of the fire service were hit with strong smell of smoke coming from the basement upon entering the lodge.

The area was searched, no fire was found and the cause was

deemed to be a malfunctioning electrical motor.

The release from GolfNorth, further stated, “Parks Canada is slated to restore and realign the Keltic Road and associated underground infrastructure starting in fall 2024…”

“Both organizations are committed to the revitalization of the property and engaging Canadians in this process to ensure this cherished destination continues to thrive and evolve for generations to come.”

The joint release from GolfNorth and Parks Canada didn’t specify when work on the lodge itself would take place and noted, “Stay tuned for updates in due course.”

Dauphinee said it’s a “big hit to the community,” to lose so many rooms and feels “this is iconic property and it should have been maintained.”

The councillor mentioned he’s worried GolfNorth doesn’t have the management to run the resort, explaining the human relations department has moved to Ontario.

“And it has been a nightmare day one with this company and it’s time for the government to step up and do something about it.”

Photo contributed Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister, John Lohr speaks at the service exchange agreement signing in Province House’s Red Chamber

Photo contributed

The court house was constructed in 1889 by Phillip MacRae, a carpenter from Big Baddeck. After an assessment was done in 2022, which revealed close to $6 million needed for repairs, council now has an expression of interest out to investigate the potential of a new building.

PUBLISHER Nicole Fawcett nicolefawcett@porthawkesburyreporter.com

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Accomodations are disappearing

Column by Nicole Fawcett

The decision to close the main lodge and some cabins at Keltic Lodge is a blow to all of Cape Breton and the tourist industry that we depend so much on.

Cape Breton has too many run-down accommodations and fewer places each year for tourists to stay.

Just look at the two monstrosities on either side of the rotary as soon as you cross the causeway. Welcome to Cape Breton.

I can understand when a company, or person, buys a business, sucks all the revenue out of it they possibly can without investing anything back, it will eventually fall apart. I do not like it of course, but I understand there is little that can be done when this is done privately for the sole purpose of profit. For some this is how business is done.

When this neglect is allowed by the owner, Parks Canada, it is truly frustrating. Who is responsible? The ones who signed the lease promising to maintain it, or the government who owned it and should have been making sure their property was not being neglected? In my opinion, both are responsible, I am sure that neither will have any accountability.

It’s a shame.

We do have some amazing places to stay in Cape Breton. We do not have enough, and we do not have enough variety. As everything becomes more expensive, we need to be able to offer from luxury to economy. We need to have accommodations not only in the city and larger towns, but also in our rural areas.

Short term rentals popped up to fill the void over the years. There are many who argue that this is part of what caused the housing shortage.

I do not agree. That issue is much larger.

Short term rentals would not have been so popular if there wasn’t a need for them. Short term rentals range from crazy

extravagant to as basic as possible. If you look, many of these places are simply not set up for long term accommodations. Many of the owners also have no interest in long term rentals for good reason. I can tell of numerous stories where people’s family homes were destroyed by renters, retirement investments were lost and the places were destroyed. I can also tell you of the inability to evict tenants as the owners watched this happen, often without even receiving rent.

There are amazing tenants out there. Unfortunately, it only takes one to destroy what you have and the laws protect only them. Is it any wonder that people do not want to risk their family homes or investments?

Instead of looking into the real issues of the housing crises, the government jumped on the bandwagon and blamed the short-term rentals. It was much better optics for them to blame someone else. It was also a great money grab.

Numerous taxes and regulations were created for the shortterm rentals to make it unrealistic for the average person to host one. As I see them coming off the market one by one, I am not seeing extra housing pop up. It certainly did not solve the housing crisis, but it did assist in the accommodation crises we may be facing, especially in the rural areas.

Long term, this is going to be a huge problem for tourism in our region.

Rural Cape Breton, all of Cape Breton, has so much to offer. We have wonderful beaches, amazing festivals, scenery on a world class level. There is art and entertainment, fun and festivities. We are family friendly and have budget friendly options. There is extravagant possibilities and world class golf courses.

There is something for everyone – except perhaps in the near future, a place to stay.

by Chuck Thompson From the Highlands OPINION

Going for Gold

There was a difference in scale but not in desire. It was a quest to win against the odds, the proverbial underdog rising up, slaying the dragon. Could it happen?

One event was playing out at Center 200 in Sydney and the aging arena was packed: 4300 people had come to cheer. The object of their interest was the Rachel Homans team, the Canadian curling champions for 2024. Now they were on the bigger stage, the women’s worlds curling championship being played in Sydney of all places. The Homan rink had been on a tear all winter long, winning most of their games. They were on a quest. But this was different. Canada, which for many years only had to show up and the trophy for world dominance was theirs, had slipped in recent years and had not raised the cup since 2018. Six years in sports is a lifetime. There was great angst throughout the country. The ship must be righted but the mighty Swiss stood in their way. They had won the last four consecutive world titles and looked just as formidable again this year. There was a nervous excitement around the arena., Homan looked very strong but what about the Swiss? It was the question on the minds of those who follow the sport. Far from this world event, another curling tourney was being held. It was much smaller in scale but followed just as fervently by the coaches, parents, friends of the team, citizens of the village. The object of their interest was the Baddeck high school mixed curling team, a tight knit group that had toiled at their sport for the past two years. Four of the 5 curlers would graduate in a few short months and time was not on their side. It was now or never and the odds were long. They had won the regionals in Antigonish but this was a bigger stage. Like Homan, they were taking a step up, the competition was province wide and included teams from Halifax and other bigger centres. The early line was they might win a game or two but the gold? Nah, out of reach, the dragon would win. Just enjoy the experience was the sage advice given by some of the townsfolk as they headed for the Digby Curling Club. Here there would be no raucous crowds, bright lights, roaring music, or loud introductions but this was their Centre 200. Big enough. Like Homan, the team was on the road, the first time to the far west of the province. They were excited but nervous. Six teams were vying for the title and the favourite was the team from Sackville, a city team at that!.

As the bonspiel moved along, the Sackville team was laying waste to all opposition, running the scoreboard it is called in curling. It looked daunting to say the least. Mums and dads were confident but others, less biased, not so much. There was nothing to show that Sackville would stumble before these rural kids from Baddeck and area.

Back at Center 200 the place was jumping with excited spectators. It felt more like a hockey game than curling:,people roaring. music blaring. flags flying, all the earmarks of a playoff game. This was it: the world championship was on the line. Rachel Homan and team had finished first in the round robin but that mattered not now. it: win and you are world champs, lose and go home. As expected, but dreaded, it was the mighty Swiss that stood beside them at the introductions. It would be tough, and it was, but this was the year that a gritty, determined team put Canada back on top. Homan and team ground them down and the place erupted. The whole event was a feel good affair ending with the championship trophy returned to its rightful place, Canada.

In Digby, the Baddeck Broncos were quietly sliding along to the championship game. There might have been more hope than expectations about the final result. But the challenge would be the same:,win and the banner would be yours, lose and hit the road. The game brought out the old sports adage “You gotta play the game, nothing is given to you.”For these young athletes. (David, Alison, Jack, Emma and Jacob) this was the culmination of their high school career, the years, days and now the moment was upon them. There would be no tomorrow.

Like the ‘69 Mets, the 70 Jets, the 23 Astros and the ‘79 Gillis Cats, the underdogs had prevailed. The favourites were vanquished. The Baddeck Broncos, against all odds, won it all and were provincial champs.

As Homan lifted up into the friendly skies heading west,, the Broncos piled into the cars and headed east, champions both. It was a testimony to both that when the game was on line, they responded like the champions they had become.

It was a life moment for both of them, long remembered after the final score fades from memory: something that both will cherish forever. In sports, as in life, that is as good as it gets.

Successful emergency response in highlands demonstrates need for a wintertime rescue vehicle

“Then we loaded up the patient, the flight nurse and the paramedic, which had to be snowmobiled from the helicopter to the accident scene by civilians. And then we loaded them up into Margaree’s unit, we got the patient into the helicopter then they took off,” he said.

This area of the highlands may need similar equipment to East Margaree, the medical first responder explained. He mentioned it’s warranted to sit with stakeholders and figure out the best solution for an all-terrain and all-season vehicle.

“It’s so remote and rugged, it’s a dangerous place if you don’t mind it,” Partland said.

“We do have the power plant here. We’ve got lakes up above, we’ve got campers that camp up in the highlands all summer long and having a quick response with the proper equipment would

be phenomenal.”

Lyle Donovan, Emergency Management Coordinator for the Victoria County, explained there’s multiple rescues in the highlands and surrounding areas and noted emergency responders are usually first to see the need to where they can make upgrades to rescue equipment.

“North East Margaree saw a need to add a side by side to their equipment. It’s a closed in piece of equipment, that can have tracks on it for wintertime response and tires on it for summertime response and they have it on the west side of the highlands,” Donovan said.

“So, it would be nice if we could have a complimentary piece of equipment that could do a similar job, or to back them up on the east side of the island.”

Donovan does admit it’s one thing to express a

the tracked vehicle to bring the injured person.

need for it, but another to have the finances for it. Right now, he explained, they’re going to look for support for thenew equipment.

Deputy Warden, Larry Dauphinee, noted, at a council meeting of Victoria County on March 26, 2024, they’re seeing an increasing number of snowmobilers in the county and suspects equipment such as a tracked vehicle may be needed more often.

“Two hours to wait for such a vehicle is a little bit much. We’re just lucky this person survived it this time,” Dauphinee said.

At the council meeting a motion was passed for staff to look into the cost to provide a track vehicle and what is needed, “to make it a reality.”

“Because with the communication being so bad in the highlands, the quick response makes a big difference,” Dauphinee said.

Photos contributed

Pictured is North East Margaree Fire Department’s enclosed side by side with tracks for the winter. Emergency officials in Victoria County say a similar one is needed for the west side of the highlands.

Lost Chinese Toy Pug finds new home in Big Baddeck

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Big Baddeck – After finding a stray dog in a dairy barn in Big Baddeck, N.S, on Easter weekend, Ally Oakes said despite searching, she’s unsure where the dog came from, but happy the dog has found a safe home.

On March 29, 2024, Oakes and her husband went over to her in-law’s house for Good Friday dinner, when the family found a miniature pug wandering around in one of their barns.

“So, when we went out, there was this pug and it was the calmest and most friendly little dog,” Oakes said.

“She came over and just wanted to be pet and when you stood up she would just follow along.”

The family took some pictures to put online, but despite sharing the story and photo with a large number of people, they didn’t hear anything back about where the dog could have come from.

“I was trying to figure out what to do with the dog. And I called my mom and we were kind of brain storming together,” Oakes explained.

Oakes’ has an aunt and uncle who take dogs in when people go on vacation, so she decided to ask her uncle if he would look after the pug as a temporary solution.

“She made a connection really quickly with them,” Oakes said and mentioned the pug they found was a Chinese Toy Pug and a senior dog. They took the pug to the vet, where it received a “spa treatment” and aside from a few dental issues, Oakes said the dog was “doing well and seemed really content and happy.”

Oakes was in contact with different lost dog networks, who also shared it through their avenues. Her uncle was ready to part ways when someone came forward, but after no one did, Oakes asked her uncle how he would feel about keeping the dog.

“And he was very quick to say that he would

Photo contributed

Pugs have physically distinctive features such as a wrinkly, short-muzzled face, and curled tail. They were brought from China to Europe in the sixteenth century.

keep her,” Oakes said, noting her uncle called the new pet, Lulu.

The family is unsure of how the dog got into the dairy barn and noted there was a lot of speculation, but they are happy that “it ended up being a very great ending.”

“This is a very unusual case but with a wonderful outcome,” said a spokesperson for the Nova Scotia Lost Dog Network.

“Statistically we do not have dogs dumped. When Ally reached out… we advised her to contact Animal Control and vets. The first priority is to try to find family. When no family were located they offered their hearth and home to this senior dog.”

In most municipalities a stray dog can be rehomed after 72 hours, the spokesperson said

The Nova Scotia Lost Dog Network advised if anyone has lost, found or sighted a roaming dog to reach out to the network online.

Life Flight, who wasn’t able to land their helicopter on such sloped hills, landed down the road and waited for

Staying open for the locals: Flying Kite Artisan Shop helps artists around Atlantic Canada grow

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Baddeck - Courtney Smith, owner of Flying Kite Artisan Shop, grew up on the North Shore, N.S., and said business runs in her family.

“My mom owns the Glass Artisan’s Gallery and she opened that when I was 12. And from then on, I worked there,” Smith said.

“It was my first job and how I got started.”

After finishing high school, Smith went to Memorial Universities’ Fine Arts school in Corner Brook, N.L. and said the journey through university helped her with the business she has now.

“It’s given me more education on the arts and crafts sector,” she explained.

Smith mentioned there is a craft versus art debate in academia and she was planted firmly on the “craft is art side of things,” noting “in some part I still am.”

“A lot of artists are craftspeople and are working in the grey area. I think that is where a lot of interesting things happen. So, to diminish it in anyway seems unfair.”

Smith now she works in the grey area and is said she is “happy to promote local artists.”

After completing her degree, Smith returned to Cape Breton and worked at her mom’s glass gallery in the North Shore.

“After being on my own for a while, I really wanted something I could make more my own,” Smith said.

Her mom then opened up an art studio in Baddeck, asking Smith to help organize it. “I just thought I would be a worker bee, but it turned into me wanting more and more decision power.”

The initial business was called Victoria County Creates and was a challenge to run, “growing every year,” Smith explained, but also losing money.

Smith said they went to the drawing table and came up with a name change and then began to make even more changes.

“The goal was to still support the art and crafts sector here and it felt like the right time to make a switch in ownership,” Smith said.

In spring of 2020, Smith put together a business plan through a federal Employment Insurance program and was accepted. The program gave her 10 weeks to start and she took over, as Flying Kite Artisan Shop, in July the same year.

Pictured is Courtney Smith, owner of Flying Kite Artisan Shop. The shop Smith began almost four years ago is now opened year round and has products from over 200 artists from across Atlantic Canada.

With her new business, Smith knew she needed a larger pool of creatives and also wanted to stay local. She chose Atlantic Canada as the area she wanted to represent. They gradually shifted from just working in consignment, to now working in mostly wholesale and some consignment.

Currently they have around 200 different artists, plus a book collection with a number of local authors and illustrators.

Some of the artists featured at the Flying Kite: are

Council supports North Highlands Nordic’s request for help with cost of new trail groomer

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Cape North - North Highlands Nordic Ski Club is urgently seeking funding for a new trail grooming equipment after a major breakdown of their current machine, the group presented to council and said their next season may not be a possibility without one.

Katie Fougere, manager of North Highlands Nordic presented to Victoria County council on March 26, 2024.

“We are very proud of the fact that we are a non-profit that successfully operates in the dead of winter in Victoria county and that we’re contributing to the economy by creating a unique multi day experience for travellers, who are spending time and money on fuel food and accommodations,” Fougere said.

“We are here requesting funding assistance for the cost of a new groomer; the current machine is 22 years old.”

The old machine was very taxing on their volunteers the manager of the club said and noted it isn’t fiscally responsible for the group to put more money into the old machine. The new machine they are looking to purchase is called a 2024 Pistenbully Euro 100 Stage Five groomer, which Fougere said “is a necessity for us.”

“We would be able to continue to have the expertly groomed and high caliber trails that our visitors have come to expect from us and allow them to continue to have enjoyable experiences.”

A new machine would also entail less unexpected breakdowns and provide easier sourced parts for the ski club, noted Fougere and is also a faster more environmentally friendly and efficient machine.

The municipality has already invested in Nordic Highlands Nordic Ski Club, giving them $50,000 for their Nordic Centre and Café.

Fougere told council, “By supporting our current funding request for this groomer you are ensuring that your $50,000 will continue to make a return on your initial investments.” She explained it was thanks to the municipality’s past investments, the group now has an indoor heated garage which allows for safe storage and maintenance.

“To push that urgency, our volunteers have confirmed we cannot go forward into 2025 without a new machine,” Fougere said.

During the presentation, the group noted the receive about

At a recent meeting of council, North Highlands Nordic Ski Club said their trail groomer, which is pictured, is no longer in serviceable condition and in order to make next season a reality the group needs assistance with funding.

3000 visitors a season and are is the first Nordic facility opened and the last to close in the Maritimes. It was also explained, the unique micro climate in the Cape North area, makes it “better” for their skiing. Fougere said the future they are growing toward is in jeopardy and without council’s support, “this would impact all of the growth we worked tirelessly to achieve thus far.”

Councillor Perla MacLeod said “it’s very nice to see the support,” referring to the number of volunteers who showed to the council meeting.

“I’m very moved by all the volunteers, because that is a key for successful project.”

Councillor Larry Dauphinee noted to the group, it’s quite crucial they order a groomer in a timely manner to have ready for next season, but explained council has to wait to decide an official amount until after budget talks.

A motion to give the group a letter of support, until an amount can be decided, was passed to help the club go forward with a new upgrade.

Trufflebar Chocolates, a handcrafted chocolate maker located in Inverness; Sugar Witch Cakes, a bakery located in Ingonish Beach; Halifax’s MichNat Fashionhouse; a Cape Breton based skin care company called Breton naturals, the work of a number of fine artists, including Cabot Trail based artist Lara Kunz, along with many more.

The store is opened all year round and Smith said the summer hours are for the tourists, but the winter hours are for the locals.

“That’s what I want. I want to be here for the local community, because I think that’s what makes the difference,” Smith said.

“I like supporting our local community and that’s something that we also know we want to continue.”

As advice to other new business owners, Smith said listening to other local business owner’s advice has helped the business grow and noted, “I think I’ll keep growing.”

“The community has been a huge support for me and I couldn’t have been here without them.”

Photo contributed

Photos contributed It might be difficult to tell, but this is a before and after photo of the same headstone after a local Big Baddeck resident cleaned it up.

Headstones from earlier centuries were often made more ornate than today’s and have unique symbols and stories under the layers of dirt.

Photo contributed

County needs projected increase of 55 housing units built each year until 2027 to meet demand

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Baddeck - Representatives with the Department of Municipal Affairs of Housing shared highlights of a needs assessment with council and said the county will need 55 units built each year, to meet the demand needed for 2027.

The department completed surveys in municipalities across the province and created the needs assessment data tool to support municipal decision making. The provincial housing market has a lot of factors affecting it, explained Babatunde Awoyiga with the Department of Municipal Affairs, at a council meeting on March, 26, 2024.

“Population is on the rise, also household formation increased

Pair charged in relation to homicide case in Big Bras d’Or to appear in court later this month

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Big Bras d’Or - Two people charged in relation to the homicide of 48-year-old Natacha Leroy from Big Bras d’Or, N.S., will have another appearance in court this month.

On November 22, 2023, Victoria County District RCMP responded to a report of a possible homicide at a home on Old Route 5 in Big Bras d’Or. RCMP officers learned that Natacha Leroy, 48, had disappeared and the circumstances around her disappearance were suspicious.

On November 24, 2023, human remains were found in Big Bras d’Or by RCMP Police Dog Services. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide and on November 29, 2023, the remains were confirmed to be those of Natacha Leroy.

Carolyn Ann Dermody, of North Sydney, was arrested on November 30, 2023, and charged with murder and indignity to human remains. On December 1, 2023, Kevin Forrest Jr., of Big Bras d’Or, was arrested and charged with Accessory to Murder and Indignity to Human Remains.

Dermody made an appearance in Wagmatcook Provincial Court on March 13, 2024 for election, or plea on murder and interfering with human remains and the election, or plea was put over until April 17, 2024 in Wagmatcook Provincial Court

On April 3, 2024, Kevin Forrest Jr. appeared in Wagmatcook Provincial Court where the hearing was also adjourned and the next scheduled appearance is a pre-trial conference on April 29, 2024 in Wagmatcook Provincial Court.

On February 19, 2024, RCMP also arrested a third person connected to the case and charged Cody Alexander Russell, with accessory to murder and indignity to human remains.

between 2016 and 2021,” Awoyiga said, referring to a 5 percent increase in households.

“And what that means, is when there are more households being formed, that means there is more housing needs we will have to address.”

According to their presentation, in 2022, 61 per cent of all households in Victoria County earned incomes below $81,800, which is the median income needed to purchase a home. Median home sale prices in the county are $244,500 and average rent in the county was $605 in 2021.

In terms of engagement, Azad Haider with the Department of Municipal Affairs, said they heard from the public survey they did, that there is housing supply is shortage across the spectrum.

“95 per cent are not confident finding housing if their housing situation changed and 41 per cent of respondents are considering leaving their community due to the housing issue,” Haider said.

“In terms of affordability 46 per cent spend more than 30 per cent of their income on housing, while 33 per cent saw their rent increase by $105 in 2021 and 74 per cent said they live in housing in need of immediate repair.”

Haider told council there is a projected shortfall of 505 housing units in the county by 2027. The county’ estimated pace of construction is 45 units per year, which off sets the shortfall to

227. Haider informed council they will need an estimated 55 units built each year to meet the demand needed in 2027.

Awoyiga said they’re looking to engage with municipalities to help guide discussions about what information is available, and in what form, before formal update processes launch.

During question period, Councillor Norman MacDonald mentioned at one time there was “roughly seven units” in district eight and “now there’s only one.”

Councillor Larry Dauphinee said, “it’s great” to put numbers to the housing situation in the county.

“We still have to go back to the basics of it though and that’s infrastructure. When we talk to a number of developers, mainly in rural areas here we don’t have the infrastructure, water or sewage in a lot of areas and that always comes back to us,” Dauphinee said.

“So hopefully we can use these numbers to put it back to the province and the federal government to show how serious things are and maybe we’ll get more infrastructure.”

Dauphinee said if the county has the infrastructure he believes “the housing will come.”

Warden Bruce Morrison noted the county is in a time of “unprecedented growth and development” and “with growth comes challenges,” which the warden said was reflected in the presented housing needs assessment.

Recreation department looks at county’s desire for dog park

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Baddeck – After requests for a dog park, Victoria County council asked staff to investigate the process for one and Dan Coffin, Manager of Tourism and Recreation for Victoria County, said numerous dog parks in the province have been looked at and said when investigating best practices, a lot was learned from other municipalities’ trial and error.

In late 2023, at the request of council there, Victoria County staff completed an overview of a dog park study for an off-leash dog park and Coffin presented their findings to council.

Coffin said an off-leash dog park offers a play area for dogs, provides opportunities for owners and dogs to socialize in a safe setting and allows dogs to exercise and socialize.

“When we get in to looking at the placement for a dog park it really gets into a lot of things to consider: so, the size of the park is important, the buffer from residential areas was an area highlighted everywhere and how close, or far the park was to residences,” Coffin said.

“Protecting natural elements is another area, so we have to be cautious of any wildlife or small animals that are in those areas. Dogs would love to chase those and if it’s an environmental sensitive issue you’d have to be concerned of that as well.”

Where the park is located and its design are also things Coffin

noted, and explained some staff would be needed to help maintain the areas.

“There’s some use for residents and some use for visitors as well,” Coffin said and explained the next steps are to evaluated the community desire and impact of such project. Then the municipality can establish a detailed proposal, budget for the park and complete a build and management plan.

“From there we’d search out possible partnerships and establish a secure location based around what the public desire warrants. So, if there’s a group in one area versus another that’s more interested, then we can follow that trend in that capacity,” Coffin said.

Councillor Perla MacLeod, noted one of the reasons the dog park was asked to be looked into, was because so many tourists come to the county with pets who need somewhere to exercise.

“So, I think it’s an excellent idea, just for the residents and the tourists because it’s an attraction for us too,” MacLeod said.

MacLeod also wanted to acknowledge the reason they are looking at a dog park and not greener space.

“We’re having conversations with the village regarding a green space and it’s in the works, so the village will be leading the green space now,” the councillor noted.

Municipal staff will be focusing on evaluating the community desire and impact, “so we’ll do a quick survey, with understanding if there’s enough need we’ll follow through,” Coffin told council.

Your Community Calendar

We will post the event, date, and time at no charge.

Non profit organizations only. Space is limited and there are no guarantees for free listings.

WEDNESDAY APR. 10

-Letter Writing Social at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 1:00pm.

THURSDAY APR. 11

-Free Tax Clinic at the Royal Canadian Legion, 31 Ross St, Baddeck. Please use side basement door. March 7-April 25. 10:00am-2:00pm.

-Cape Breton Ostomy Peer Support Group will meet at the South Bar Fire Hall, South Bar. This group is for those with an ostomy or may need an ostomy and their support person. For more info digoustasia@gmail. com or 902-562-1367. 2:00pm – 4:00pm. -Lego Drop-In at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 3:00pm-4:30pm. -Talks and Docs at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. Tonight’s feature is Mae West: Dirty Blonde. 6:30pm. FRIDAY APR. 12

-Morning Meditation at the Baddeck Li-

brary, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 9:00am10:00am.

-Hand Papermaking in Libraries: Connecting Art, Stories, and Communities at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St. To register call 902-295-2055. Fridays April 12th & 26th. 12:30pm-4:30pm. -Creative Meet-Up at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 1:00-3:00pm.

-Chase the Ace at the Baddeck Legion, 37 Ross St., Baddeck. 6:00pm-9:00pm -45 Card Game at Neil’s Harbour/New Haven Fire Hall, 678 New Haven Rd. 7:00pm.

SATURDAY APR. 13

-Pub & Music Night at North Highands Nordic, 29483 Cabot Trail, Cape North. 7:00pm – 11:00pm.

SUNDAY APR. 14

-Breakfast at the Middle River Community Hall, 2656 Cabot Trail. 8:00am-10:30pm.

-Archery at Cranton Cross Road Com-

munity Centre, 206 Cranton Cross Road, Margaree Centre. Runs until Mid-April. All skill levels welcome. 1:00-4:00pm

-Open Jam at the Baddeck Legion, 37 Ross St, Baddeck. 2:00pm-5:00pm. TUESDAY APR. 16

-Lively Larks – Bring your little ones for playtime, stories and more, to the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 10:30am.

-Seniors Computer Class at Knox Hall, 39 Grant St., Baddeck. 2:30pm.

-Tuesday Night Films at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 6:30pm

WEDNESDAY APR. 17

-Hand Papermaking in Libraries: Connecting Art, Stories, and Communities at the Ingonish Fire Hall, 35936 Cabot Trail. To register call 902-285-2544. 12:30pm4:30pm. -Letter Writing Social at the Baddeck Li-

brary, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 1:00pm. THURSDAY APR. 18

-Free Tax Clinic at the Royal Canadian Legion, 31 Ross St, Baddeck. Please use side basement door. March 7-April 25. 10:00am-2:00pm. -Lego Drop-In at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 3:00pm-4:30pm. -Talks and Docs at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 6:30pm. FRIDAY APR. 19

-Morning Meditation at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 9:00am10:00am.

-Creative Meet-Up at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 1:00-3:00pm. -Chase the Ace at the Baddeck Legion, 37 Ross St., Baddeck. 6:00pm-9:00pm -45 Card Game at Neil’s Harbour/New Haven Fire Hall, 678 New Haven Rd. 7:00pm. SATURDAY APR. 20

-Yard Sale at the Middle River Community Hall, 2656 Cabot Trail. To book a table contact Marlene at 902-295-0594. 10:00am – 2:00pm. SUNDAY APR. 21

-Archery at Cranton Cross Road Community Centre, 206 Cranton Cross Road, Margaree Centre. Runs until Mid April. All skill levels welcome. 1:00-4:00pm -Open Jam at the Baddeck Legion, 37 Ross St, Baddeck. 2:00pm-5:00pm. TUESDAY APR. 23

-Lively Larks – Bring your little ones for playtime, stories and more, to the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 10:30am. -Seniors Computer Class at Knox Hall, 39 Grant St., Baddeck. 2:30pm. -Tuesday Night Films at the Baddeck Library, 520 Chebucto St., Baddeck. 6:30pm

Community events listings are available free of charge for non-profits.  Deadline for submissions is noon on Thursdays. Email submissions to admin@porthawkesburyreporter.com.  Or call 1-888-625-3301.

Baddeck Baptist Church hosts third annual Community Easter Celebration for over 75 children and their families at Alderwood

Former councillor raises concerns over proposed scope of regulations for zoning policy

by Adam McNamara adammcn33@gmail.com

Baddeck - On March 26, 2024 former Victoria County councillor, Grant Athol, appeared before council during the time allotted for public questions and said the municipality is “proposing a very large and complicated zoning policy” and feels more public engagement should be done.

“Although people think we have lots of land, we don’t,” Athol told council.

Athol said the zoning policies all come with conditions and every zone has a minimum size, a setback and “is very complicated.”

“I know, I’ve gone over it. And there’s lots of questions I have,” Athol said.

The project, Plan Victoria County, is part of a larger project called Plan Eastern Nova, which is a joint effort between the counties of: Antigonish, Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria, with the engagement process being done by Upland Planning and Design.

The goal of the project in Victoria County, is to create a municipal strategy and land use by law for all parts county, which doesn’t have planning in place already.

Athol noted there has been no public meetings in his area since the draft was released and he feels a lot of people “don’t know what’s going on,” in terms of the regulations about to be passed.

“There’s all kinds of things in there that will affect people and will affect people for the next 50 years.”

Athol noted there are mentions in the draft of no habitations allowed in trailers and explained he lived in a trailer with his kids and doesn’t understand the change, explaining living in an R.V. is also not allowed.

“We’re in a housing crisis, not only worldwide but in Victoria County, so I think that no habitation in trailers should be removed,” Athol said.

Athol also brought up new proposed regulations around watercourses and said the 50-foot buffer applied to streams, which are prevalent in Victoria County because of the geography.

“I am a land developer and I have no problem with a 50-foot buffer on new lots, I think that’s proper,” Athol said.

“I do have a problem with existing lots. There lots that have been here for 100 years and people have been paying tax on them for 100 years and they want to build on them. “

There should be something in there to protect existing lot owners, explained Athol.

The proposed six lot maximum for agriculture zones also proposes a “problem” Athol said, and “really hinders development.”

“If that condition was in place, MacLeod’s Point Subdivision, Neil’s Shore Subdivision, Bucklaw Subdivision, a lot of those subdivisions would never be built,” noting those developments greatly contribute to municipal taxes.

Athol noted some of the regulations doesn’t make sense for a population of 5000 people.

Councillor Larry Dauphinee said he’s interested to see what the results are after the timeline for feedback is up and how the Upland handles the feedback.

“If the people that have talked to me put their complaints in, I’m hoping that they’ll be removed or changed,” Dauhpinee said.

Councillor Fraser Patterson said he’s waiting to see what happens with the draft process, noting Athol has a “very valid point.”

Patterson explained a petition is being circulated for the campground on the Black Rock Road, around the new designations proposed there.

“So, there are lots of questions,” Patterson said.

“I didn’t know some of the details Athol pointed out and I think we should look at it pretty carefully,” Fraser said, noting he agreed with Athol that people should be allowed to utilize an R.V. for a temporary home.

Warden Bruce Morrison noted council would go back and talk to Upland about having more community meetings noting “there’s a disconnect somewhere,” but mentioned he wasn’t sure if that would result in more engagement. The draft process may yield feedback the warden said and “then I think the decision will be had if the feedback was sufficed to move forward or not.”

“Maybe it will result in more consultation with the community, maybe it won’t. We’ll have to wait and see the feedback we receive.”

Photos contributed