Here we go again
- savewestmaboubeach
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 18
Contributed by Peter Barss The Inverness Oran - October 14, 2025
Shared here with the author's permission
Here we go again…
In 2022 and 2023 former Nova Scotia premier Rodney MacDonald engaged all three political party leaders in discussions about leasing a third of the West Mabou Provincial park for an 18 hole golf course. MacDonald was a speaking on behalf of the Cabot Group. At the same time the Cabot Group, a developer of luxury golf courses worldwide, offered local community groups funding if they supported the construction of the golf courses. The money, that many saw as out and out bribery, was turned down.
The provincial “Act Respecting Provincial Parks" (https://nslegislature.ca/.../legc/statutes/provpark.htm) clearly states that the purpose of provincial parks is to "preserve unique, rare, representative or otherwise significant elements of the natural environment and historic resources of Nova Scotia”. The act also states that it is illegal to "wilfully destroy park property or trees and other natural resources”.
Clearly, a golf course would destroy "significant elements of the natural environment” and clearly the construction of a golf course would “wilfully destroy” the property of what is now “park property."
In other words, the golf course on leased park land would be illegal under that “Act Respecting Provincial Parks.”
In April 2023, perhaps because of the park’s legal status coupled with province-wide opposition, Natural Resources minister Tory Rushton said “there’s no mechanism to allow a golf course development within that park. We did advise the proponent (Cabot)… we wouldn’t be entertaining an application” for a golf course. The matter seemed to be settled.
But as CBC’s Michael Gorman reported on October 3, 2025 Cabot is making another attempt, this time behind closed doors. Cabot, Rushton told reporters, has presented the province “with some ideas."
“If a proponent comes to the province with an idea that can bring an economic benefit, good-paying jobs and something to Nova Scotians, then we'll have a conversation, and that's where we're at right now."
Because these “conversations” between our provincial government and Cabot are private, details are not available to the public. But it is clear that Rushton is more open to “ideas” about a golf course in West Mabou Provincial Park than he was in 2023.
Both the Park’s Act and the Beach’s Act are written to protect the integrity of parks like West Mabou Provincial Park. Provincial parks provide a place where everyone can experience undeveloped nature. Parks support a rich and often rare collection of flora and fauna that should not be disturbed by machines that would permanently transform a natural environment into a manicured man-made playground like the proposed golf course in West Mabou Provincial Park. Further, the argument that a golf course would boost the economy is specious. Most, if not all jobs associated with a golf course, would be low paying and seasonal.
In theory a golf course in the West Mabou Provincial Park would be open to everyone. In reality it would be an exclusive club for the wealthy and the well-connected. The concept of this golf course is driven by the greed of Cabot Links and by the selfishness of a class (and it is a class issue) of the rich who believe their money gives them the right to take a public park away from the public.
Out provincial government should have the courage to make it absolutely clear that turning any part of the West Mabou Provincial Park into a golf course is not open for discussion: the West Mabou Provincial Park shall remain a park for all to enjoy.
Peter Barss
LaHave NS
Learn About the Loopholes in the Provincial Parks Act
