"There has to be better safeguards written into the act," says Nadine Hunt of the Save West Mabou Beach Committee

Now, we need to make sure it stays protected. November 13, 2025 Statement from the Save West Mabou Beach Provincial Park grassroots leaders: Earlier today, Premier Houston told reporters that Cabot's proposed golf course development in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park will not proceed. Safe for today... but what about tomorrow? Asked whether the proposal is completely off the table or if the company could come back to the province with a revised proposal, Houston didn't rule

"We have reached the conclusion that the asks that the proponent (Cabot) would have, would be unreasonable,” said Houston.

Houston said ideas such as the proposed golf course intrigue him but many "just don't make it past the intrigue."

The province has declined a proposal to put a golf course on the protected land of West Mabou Beach.

The Ecology Action Centre says Premier Houston is "breaking the public trust."

Rather than Nova Scotians having to fight time and time again to justify the ongoing protection of West Mabou Beach Provincial Park, responsibility should really fall on the government to justify why they are even entertaining the conversation when, by all appearances, the proposed use of the park does not meet the criteria outlined in the vendor application process.

Last summer, the Tampa Bay Times reported on a controversial land swap, between Cabot and the State of Florida

These policy decisions "are symptomatic of someone who wants to turn Nova Scotia into the Bermuda of the North – a place where non-residents, lobbyists and other political friends seem to receive privileges that undermine the quality of life for tax-paying and law abiding Nova Scotians."

A local business owner is using his craft to help protect a provincial park.

Rose Morrison & Dave Gunning wrote "Holding Sand," a song about the fragile and sacred beauty of landscapes like West Mabou Beach Provincial Park.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender says her party would improve accountability by overhauling the province’s lobbyist registry if they formed government.

"If this place is unprotected, then all of our parks and protected areas are at risk."

Editorial Cartoon by Bruce MacKinnon

Tourism Industry says PCs are overlooking the economic development that already comes from parks and protected areas.

Interviews with Kyle MacQuarrie and the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia

"Are our representatives representing us? Or are they representing themselves?"

Nadine Hunt of Save West Mabou Beach says it’s the third time their group is saying ‘no’ to the Cabot golf company, but the message is falling on deaf ears.

Critics say protection is meaningless if development is permitted in the areas

Protected areas announcement dubbed ‘a cynical move’ comes as Houston government hints that all protected lands are open for development