“It’s all about securing Nova Scotia’s unique natural assets – now and for the future.”

Letter to the Editor Adele MacInnis-Meagher The Inverness Oran

October 21, 2025 Originally published here

Dear Editor,  

I am deeply concerned that the NS government is contemplating giving West Mabou Beach Provincial Park to Cabot. I, like many, have been questioning why Cabot has not bought its own land if it is such an amazing business opportunity.       Having listened to four podcast interviews featuring Mr. Dewar over the past number of days, I believe I have a decent understanding.      Firstly, Mr. Dewar would likely have to buy numerous pieces of land to amass a large enough parcel for a golf course. This would take time and money. In the podcasts, he shared that in the planning phase of Cabot Links, his mentor Mike Keiser told him Cabot was going to be a success and he should buy up the land he needs as he would not be able to afford it when Cabot Links became a success. Mr. Dewar spent years purchasing over 40 separate pieces of land to assemble enough land for the links and the cliffs. He shared this was very time-consuming and he would not want to have to do that again.       Secondly, Mr. Dewar would know that there is lots of sand where he wants to build the course. Upon researching golf courses, I have come to understand that sand’s natural drainage property spares the expense of installing a costly drainage system, while ensuring that golfing can transpire in all weather. It is notable that the section of land in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park, where Mr. Dewar wants to establish the golf course is almost exclusively on sand dunes.      We often think of the dunes as only the incline of sand from the beach to the crest of the land, however, the dunes extend all the way across to Mabou Harbour. By definition, beach dunes consist of sand and exist at the dynamic interface between beaches and forests. Dune systems evolve over time at the interface of the ocean and land as sand is deposited and stabilized by specially adapted vegetation. The beach grasses allow the beach to form and act as storage to nourish the whole system. There are very few large undisturbed dune systems. The dune ecosystem at West Mabou is one of the largest remaining undisturbed dunes in Nova Scotia. Presently, there are no trails in this section as human traffic would be too damaging to this rare and most sensitive ecosystem. Mr Dewar wants to build his golf course on this dune system.      Thirdly, Mr. Dewar knows the success of his golf courses depends on stunning views. He frequently spoke about his golf courses being on stunning landscapes. Mr. Dewar recounted his memory of a golfer claiming his day on Cabot was magic. Mr. Dewar claimed that what he wants to do with his life, is “to give people that day (magical day) in their lives.” I have no doubt that golfing in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park would be magical. There would be stunning views at every turn on top of the dunes. There are 240 degrees of ocean views, views of boats and fishing activity in the Mabou Harbour and views all the way up the harbour to our magnificent church. The sunsets are breathtaking. West Mabou Beach Provincial Park has stunning views. I see them all walking along the beach so as not to damage the dunes.       While Mr. Dewar did not speak of government funding it appears from research that there would be government funding opportunities accessible to Cabot in order to build infrastructure on leased crown land that does not exist for businesses who do so on private property.    I have a greater understanding of why Mr. Dewar has not bought his own land and an even deeper conviction that West Mabou Beach Provincial Park must remain whole and for the people.    I will end with a quote, from our past premier, Rodney MacDonald, in 2006 during an announcement he made for nine new protected areas, that I believe remains relevant and applicable to West Mabou Beach Provincial Park today, "It's all about securing Nova Scotia's unique natural assets – now and for the future." Adele MacInnis-Meagher Mabou