The Daily News (Halifax) - 27/05/2007:

To the editor:

The Cape Breton Island Provincehood Campaign supports Action democratique du Quebec Leader Mario Dumont’s call for Ottawa to reopen the Canadian Constitution for debate with respect to Ottawa’s spending power. We invite Canada to hold the next round of Constitutional talks on our island. Cape Breton Island is the former colony of Ile Royale, France, and renamed by England in 1763, prior to annexation to Nova Scotia in 1820. It is one of the scenic wonders of the world and abounds with a rich diversity of culture, languages and hospitality. The island is also only a short distance from Nova Scotia, P.E.I., Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Hosting constitutional negotiations on our island would be rich in symbolism of renewal for a new Canadian nation - akin to the Charlottetown Accord of 1992 and the Charlottetown Conference of 1867, which led to the British North Act that created Canada. Cape Breton Island seeks constitutional recognition as Canada’s 11th Province and I request that Parliament pass a motion designating Cape Breton Island to host a Canadian constitutional conference to re-examine the balance of powers, trade and resources within our nation.

Mark MacNeill Chairman CBI Provincehood Campaign