COMMENTARY: Does Premier Houston even get Cape Breton?

Contributed by Margaret MacDonell The Cape Breton Post - October 14, 2025 Originally published here and in the Oran

Shared here with the author's permission

Latest bid to develop golf course in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park a new 'low'

Photo by Gabe Mac

Sure, he may show up at some Celtic Colours events, but does Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston understand and appreciate the cultural history and ethos of Cape Breton?

For as sure as the sunrise, as sure as the sea, as sure as the wind in the trees, the natural beauty of this island has inspired and animated musicians, artists and storytellers for millennia.

Cape Breton, that ineffable feeling, that feeling deep in your blood and bones. My guess is all of us who love Cape Breton, from the First Nations to the settlers to the newcomers of recent decades to the tourists, all know that feeling. Whether we’re out on the Mira, on a trip up Gillis Mountain or walking the harbour-side trails of West Mabou Beach Provincial Park, we know that soul-stirring feeling. We know it’s true. Our hearts will never leave. The closest I’ve come to describing it is mystical. Part of the mystery, far greater than you or me.

Yes, we’ve come from the countries all over the world for centuries and to this day: farmers, artists, labourers, entrepreneurs, musicians, artisans. I’ve heard more than one story told by a newcomer about that first moment they set eyes on West Mabou beach, knowing they had come home, enraptured by the comfort of those mist covered mountains of home.

All these folks, both long-term residents and newcomers, are drivers of the economy of Cape Breton, contributing year round, keeping the money here in the local economy. I bet not one of them has a numbered company in Chicago funnelling money out of our local economy. It is worth noting the two “new” doctors at the Inverness hospital came for the natural beauty and the culture. Safe to say, none of these folks stayed or came for the golf. I just hope, God forbid, golf doesn’t drive them away.

Does Premier Houston appreciate the history of resistance on this island: the labour movement of industrial Cape Breton that stood up for the dignity and rights of the workers; the co-operative movement that preached an ethic of working together to improve the lives of all? A history that prioritized “we not me.” Cape Bretoners know well the experience of foreign owned companies who force us to fight for our survival and for our rights.

In Cape Breton being a good neighbour is a lived reality not a sales pitch. That is why the conflict ignited in the community every time Cabot attempts another land grab is so painful and why the greed displayed by Cabot is so repugnant. Oh, cruel is the foe indeed.

The people of Cape Breton have worked hard to preserve the beauty and culture of this island. Here in Mabou volunteers have worked for 42 years to preserve the land at West Mabou Beach Provincial Park as a commons. The people of Mabou have worked hard to preserve their language, music, cultural traditions and community values – enabling Mabou to truly remain a place “where culture lives.”

The roller coaster of the last eight years of being constantly harassed by Cabot’s repeated runs for this pristine protected parkland has been difficult. Talk about taking high roads and low roads. Just how low can this government go in bowing to the whims of an American billionaire? It’s not a good look and frankly it’s insulting to the people of Cape Breton.

So how is it that Premier Houston can look to Cape Breton with a singular focus on golf? How can he think it’s a good idea to give/lease/sell parts of the iconic West Mabou Beach Provincial Park in the name of golf? How can he not get it? Maybe it’s the circles he moves in. His loss for sure, but it’s terribly tragic if his loss becomes a loss for all of us.

Prime Minister Mark Carney was elected to office on a promise Canada was not for sale. Premier Houston, now we are looking to you for similar leadership. Can this be my island too? Can our park stay our park and not be given away to an American billionaire? We’re counting on you to keep this part of Canada safe from sale by respecting West Mabou Beach Provincial Park and thereby respecting Cape Breton.

To be clear: this is not an anti-golf sentiment. It’s an anti-golf at the expense of our cultural history and environmental stewardship sentiment. Surely we can have both, that would be true to the spirit of Cape Breton. BUILD IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

Perhaps Premier Houston has never been to West Mabou Beach Provincial Park? I can’t believe he would make such a impactful decision without first doing his due diligence. Will ye come to the highlands Premier Houston? Will ye come to the highlands with me?