The proposed PEI/CBI ferry service represents a key means of giving tourists, trade & travelers alternative choice of routes for planning their trip with minimized commuting costs and environmental footprint.

The ferry service can be established with a Transport Canada Public/Private operating contract & start-up costs to construct piers, ramps, access, etc. can be funded by Transport Canada’s 7 year, $33 billion Communities Infrastructure program, created to provide vital transport links for large & small communities across Canada.

Tax dollars funded the St. Lawrence Seaway construction & icebreakers are funded annually to support trade shipments to Quebec & Ontario - bypassing the ports & markets of Atlantic Canada. Taxpayers are also funding highway expansions and rail lines across Canada, & as taxpayers we also subsidize railing western wheat to an isolated arctic port. So to seek a vital ferry link from CBI to PEI so travelers, trade and commerce can save on gas, emissions and time – as well as providing opportunities for economic linkages between two sister islands & strategically making the Atlantic region more competitive & sustainable is a very reasonable goal.

If neither Cape Breton Canso Liberal MP Roger Cuzner, nor fellow federal candidates Allan Murphy (Tory) or Dwayne MacEachern (Green) are prepared to fight for this project on behalf of our island & region, then I am considering seeking the NDP nomination for the next federal election to offer my support.

A stronger Cape Breton, a fairer Cape Breton, a greener Cape Breton!

Mark Macneill
RR4 Mabou, Cape Breton Island
B0E1X0

What if….CBI was a Province?

by Jim Morrow

That Cape Breton Island is a province unto itself is a proposition that has been around longer than the province to which it is presently a part. There are those who are very seriously, looking at re-achieving the Island’s province-hood which they maintain was taken away and never rightfully returned.

Mark MacNeil Chairman, CBI Province-hood Campaign, can provide chapter and verse on how the Island lost its legally granted autonomy dating back to 1713 and the Treaty of Utrecht.

The legal and constitutional issues of that argument could fill volumes. As an exercise, however hypothetical it may or may not be, to wrap one’s mind around the idea of Cape Breton Island being an entity with full provincial powers is intriguing.

The idea of province-hood raises any number of questions on governance. In this regard the question, “as a province do you see the Island being governed as other provinces?” was posed to Mr. MacNeil.

His reply was, “Essentially the legislative model we would follow would be similar to other provinces with some adaptations to suit the representative needs of our island. For instance, we are looking closely at the PEI legislature which has 27 riding’s in a province with a population comparable to our own and expect we would organize a Cape Breton Island Assembly with 25 to 29 riding’s. However, we would vary the PEI model a little as we are looking at the possibility of guaranteeing representation in our Assembly for our Mi’kmaq communities e.g. native communities of Membertou, Wagmatcook, Whycogomagh, Chapel Island & Eskasoni may be combined as one common electoral district, which with a population of 5000 people would represent one seat in the new legislature.

It should be noted that the average population per riding is expected to be approximately 5000 to 6000 people. At this point we will look to existing municipal council riding’s and NS provincial boundaries on our island to craft a distribution of seats across the island on an equitable and representative basis. “Other novel features of the prospective CBI Assembly is that we expect that in addition to a majority vote being required to pass legislation we may also require the vote to provide a majority from within the seated Assembly representation of the islands participant municipalities to support legislation prior to final passing i.e. for instance as well as passing a majority of votes in the Assembly, representatives from within the vote would also have to comprise at least 3 of 5 of Victoria, Richmond, Inverness, CBRM & Port Hawkesbury supporting the legislation . The purpose of this requirement would be to ensure that CBRM which has a population of 105,000 of 145,000 on our island, would not unduly dominate decision making on the island, with a view that legislation to be passed should reflect the best interests of the entire island as a priority.

“Another feature which is being considered is a model of governance which would see the provincial ministries decentralized with parity to each of the four counties on CBI. For instance if their were 12 or 16 ministries then each county would be ensured to host 3 or 4 ministry administrations. Because of the decentralized model we envision the choice of a capital location becomes less significant as essentially the capital would host primarily only the House of Assembly, executive support and ministerial satellite sub-offices.

“We have also looked at the notion of using a non-partisan system (i.e. a non-political party structure), but at this stage all constitutional features are open for discussion and we plan on hosting a Constitutional Convention in the Fall of 2007 to establish the guidelines for the voluntary shadow government which we intend to elect in the Fall of 2008 as a citizens assembly to follow NS and Canadian policy effects on CBI and Atlantic Canada on an interim basis until province hood is achieved. We envision four year fixed terms and hope that province hood will be achieved prior to 2020 - the 200 year anniversary of the illegal annexation of CBI by NS.”

For more info readers can contact Mr. McNeil:
RR4 Mabou
NS B0E 1X0

or visit www.provinceofcapebreton.org

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

To the editor:

There is a need for a fast-ferry service from Halifax to Cape Breton Island. It could run from Historic Properties in Halifax to the town and fortress of Louisbourg, with shuttles from there to all of CBI, and access to the Newfoundland ferry. This would be ideal for tourists with limited vacation time, and a real gas, time and expense saver for all as an alternative to driving from Halifax to CBI and back.

Or, the ferry could be located in Eastern Passage, with a shuttle for air travelers from the Halifax airport. Passengers could then be sped via the fast ferry to CBI destinations for further sites, services and venues.

Now we hear the province is considering setting up a fast ferry in Halifax Harbor, costing $30 million. We fear the plan is to service Halifax only, with tourist stays from the United States lasting only two or three days. It’s clear all the money is flowing into HRM, at the expense of CBI.

Mark Macneill
Chair, CBI Provincehood Campaign

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality rehearsed its litany of grievances this week before a Senate committee that found the case interesting if not persuasive. Mayor John Morgan, chief administrative officer Jerry Ryan and economic development manager John Whalley appeared before the national finance committee which is studying so-called vertical fiscal balance among orders of government in Canada.

Morgan and Whalley did all the talking, outlining the case that CBRM’s comparatively high taxes and low service expenditures are the result of the provincial government’s failure to follow through on the constitutional intent behind the federal equalization program. It is “provincial government policy that causes our residents to have dramatically lower service levels while at the same time higher tax rates within the municipal jurisdiction,” Morgan told the senators.

He argued that the principle of equalization as stated in Section 36 of the Constitution obliges both the federal government and a recipient province to track where the money goes so as to ensure that it is being used to reduce disparities. “What is happening in Nova Scotia is the funding is overwhelmingly being forwarded not to the poorest areas of the province but to the wealthiest,” Morgan contended.

It fell to Sen. Lowell Murray, the New Waterford native who retained his Progressive Conservative label after the merger that created the federal Conservative Party, to explain that persuading Ottawa to engage in such monitoring within a province is a political non-starter. “Once the cheque is sent to the provincial capital,” he said, “the federal government does not look behind it. I do not think you would ever find any federal government that would take such a look.”

Murray, the committee member who showed the most interest in the presentation, was more intrigued by arguments that the federal government is neglecting in its constitutional obligation directly by failing to focus its own economic development efforts in the areas most in need of them. He was especially taken with CBRM’s comparisons between itself (pop. 102,000) and Prince Edward Island (pop. 135,000). Total federal development spending in P.E.I. through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in the last fiscal year was $42 million, versus $19 million in CBRM (including Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.), Whalley said.

Murray noted that the CBRM-P.E.I. argument could not be properly analyzed at one brief sitting of the committee.

Murray, along with Manitoba Tory Senator Terry Stratton, mused about whether some deficiency within the region itself — some lack of private sector initiative, perhaps — could be part of CBRM’s problem. Morgan and Whalley would have none of it. “This is not about individual effort,” said Whalley. “This is about a system of policies and structures that has tilted the whole field.”

Nothing was resolved, of course, but it was a real discussion, free of hysteria and partisan bickering — the sort of discussion of the CBRM complaint that we almost never hear. It’s a pity it had to happen in such an obscure forum so far away. We’ll leave to the bean-counting councillors and letter-writers to tell us now whether the trip was worth it.

To the Editor,

CBI Provincehood Campaign has developed a petition to parliament for a Northumberland Strait ferry service between Souris, P.E.I. and Port Hood, C.B.I… (See below) Signatures will be collected from both P.E.I. and C.B.I. in support of this initiative and will be presented respectively to MPs Lawrence MacAulay (Cardigan), and Roger Cuzner (Cape Breton-Canso).

The CBI Provincehood Campaign also has a standing petition in possession by MPs Roger Cuzner and Mark Eyking (Sydney-Victoria) that was presented to both MPs between January 23rd and February 9th, 2007.which seeks independent provincial recognition by Parliament for CBI. Whilst the petition was not submitted during the most recent parliamentary session Mr. Eyking and Mr. Cuzner have indicated they are considering presenting the petition in the Fall 2007 session of parliament. (See www.provinceofcapebreton.org)

A poll provided for the Campaign indicates that the level of support for provincehood on Cape Breton Island is equivalent to that of support for Quebec independence during its first referendum in 1982, and a recent Cape Breton Post readership poll indicates 65% support for the Cape Breton Island independence movement.

Mark Macneill
Chair, CBI Provincehood Campaign

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

To the editor,

Under the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Cape Breton Island which was then a separate French colony known as Ile Royale, with its capital in Louisbourg, was ceded to the British colony of Nova Scotia and given one magistrate to represent the entire island. No one living in Cape Breton at that time could own land and they were required to pay taxes and serve in the militia. Indeed, it was “taxation without representation.”

The Seal of Cape Breton Island came from King George III. In 1784, George III granted Cape Breton separate status, with a Lieutenant-Governor, Executive Council, and a House of Assembly. With a substantial increase in the population of the island as Scots and others emigrated, the population called for the House of Assembly, in order to begin raising money from taxes to support island infrastructure for new roads and bridges. The House of Assembly however was, in fact, never called.

Facing the possibility of the loss of tax income and the rights to Cape Breton coal, the British Colonial Office considered their options and decided that the island’s House should be part of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. And so, on October 9, 1820, the island was annexed to Nova Scotia by Britain.

Nine petitions were sent to the British government, based on the argument that once a House of Assembly is given in constitutional law, it cannot be removed. Petitioners argued that the King simply did not have the right to annex Cape Breton to Nova Scotia.
The first 25 years following union with Nova Scotia saw consistent separatist petitions, meetings, travels to England, legal wrangling, and election debates. By 1845, the British government threatened to send war ships into Sydney Harbour to quell the unrest. The following year, 1846, the Privy Council of Britain met to discuss the issue of Cape Breton separatism; no minutes were kept, and the decision was made that despite constitutional improprieties the annexation would stand.

Mark Macneill
Chair, CBI Provincehood Campaign
www.provinceofcapebreton.org

Sources: Beaton Institute notes and Dr. Bob Morgan, Early Cape Breton, From Founding to Famine, 1784 - 1851, Breton Books, 2000.

I am a graduate of Riverview Rural High School, Class of ‘78, and have wonderful memories of my years there. It saddens me to read in the Cape Breton Post that RRHS and Sydney Academy renovations have been placed on hold in the midst of construction and great visible hope.

Both these high schools have produced graduates who have gone on to lead our communities, province and country, and to assume roles around the world.

Abandoning construction mid-flight is utterly disgraceful.

If the province had several hundred million for the Commonwealth Games in Halifax, then with cancellation of the games bid the province must have considerably more room within its budgetary capacity.

I suggest our premier should set an honourable and responsible example by giving these two very worthy high schools the funds they require to complete their modest renovations.

I reiterate that Cape Breton requires its own independent provincial governance. I encourage Cape Bretoners to write their representatives, local press and friends on the mainland to advise that Cape Breton now wishes to govern its own affairs as a province.

Mark Macneill
Chair, CBI Provincehood Campaign