The Daily News, July 16, 2007:

To the editor,

Given the short shrift Nova Scotia is presently receiving from the federal government, we do not believe Cape Breton Island would be seen as any less significant than it already is within our marginalized political existence at both the provincial and federal levels. We expect the Province of CBI would respond to the federal government reneging on the Atlantic Accord, in step with Premier Danny Williams of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Stephen Harper has strongly advocated renegotiating our federal constitution at several levels including senate reform, and I believe that one element crucial to our region within the next round of constitutional talks should be the constitutional emancipation of our offshore resources. Canada has eight coastal provinces, and there would be much vested interest at the provincial level within a clear majority of Canada’s provinces to decentralize control of our offshore resources. The current resource structure within our constitution has allowed Alberta on a comparative basis to set oil/gas exploration and development guidelines that emphasize a “use it or lose it” policy. Whereas in contrast with the resources off the shores of Cape Breton Island, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia the terms of the leases are much longer in duration.

If the Constitution is to be renegotiated it is critical for the future development of all of Atlantic Canada and not just Cape Breton Island that the power over our offshore resources should be devolved from the federal government to the provinces.

Mark MacNeill Chair,

CBI Provincehood Campaign www.provinceofcapebreton.com