The Evening News, New Glasgow, April 23rd, 2007:

To the editor:

The Cape Breton Island Provincehood Campaign supports the Democratic Action Party of Quebec, Opposition Leader Mario Dumont’s call for Ottawa to re-open the Canadian Constitution for debate with respect to Ottawa’s spending power and we invite Canada to hold the next round of Constitutional negotiations on our Island.

Cape Breton Island is the former colony of Ile Royale, France and later re-named by England in 1763 prior to annexation to Nova Scotia in 1820, and is one of the most 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, and Newfoundland.

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 BNA 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
Chairperson, CBI Provincehood Campaign