The Nova Scotia PC Caucus has voted down a recommendation from the Liberals to reaffirm they will keep preserving all protected designated coastal areas.
MLA Iain Rankin tabled the motion, Tuesday, during a meeting with the Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee.
The move comes amid controversy surrounding Mabou Beach Provincial Park in Cape Breton that is at risk of having a golf course developed on it – again.
“Protected land must remain protected,” said Rankin in a statement from the Liberal’s. “West Mabou Beach is a beautiful and ecologically significant place, and I’ve spoken to many community members who are clear that it should stay that way.”
He added that allowing development on the land would set a “damaging precedent” for protected areas.
Legally, the provincial government is legislated to protect 15 per cent of Nova Scotian’s land and water masses by the end of March 2026.
However, in a statement to our newsroom last week, the department of natural resources did not shut down the idea of the golf course and said they were “open to new ideas” from Nova Scotia companies.
“We support economic development. We support job creators. If a company wants to explore new opportunities that could lead to good jobs and other investments in our communities, we think that’s great and we will hear them out,” read the statement.
Rankin wrote a letter over the issue to the new minister of natural resources, Kim Masland, earlier in the week, who took over from Tory Rushton after a recent cabinet shuffle.
He congratulated her on her new role and requested confirmation that the government would not allow the golf course to proceed on West Mabou Beach.
Our newsroom spoke to Rankin about the letter, which was posted to social media.
He told us he received comments from over 1,000 constituents on the matter, many who are frustrated.
“Most people, from my conversations, aren’t opposed to a new development. They’re opposed to development within the provincial park,” said Rankin.
Rankin said is determined to put this whole idea to rest in interest of saving the land.
-with files from Jessica Laing
