What’s to be done?

Letter to the Editor by Jennyfer Brickenden

The Oran - Nov. 4, 2025

Dear Editor,

I don’t even know where to begin with these feelings of betrayal. The Houston government’s current stance regarding Cabot’s third bid to build a golf course is deceitful at best. Since 2013 this land has been designated a protected area, a provincial park and a contributor of 12 per cent to the province’s commitment to setting aside 20 per cent of NS by 2030 for preservation. The current takeover bid by Cabot and this government’s willingness to entertain them threatens the status of all public land in the province and in particular is a slap in the face of the people of Mabou, Inverness County and all Nova Scotians who believed in this government after Cabot’s last attempt was turned away.

After such definitive statements after the 2022 bid by Cabot to access West Mabou Beach, the community breathed a sigh of relief. Finally their beloved jewel would be protected for generations to come. When is no a no to unsolicited bids to make playgrounds for the wealthy? and when is yes a yes to keeping protected, provincial parks and land protected? Public land is first and foremost public and should not be subject to this type of pressure. There is private land that can be purchased by those willing to sell.

Now with this supermajority all bets are off and protected doesn’t mean protected and corporate interests are running roughshod over Nova Scotians at this government’s invitation. Since this government’s return to power NS is being run top down where 

communities, municipalities, and the people of NS are being stripped of their decision-making when it differs from the dictates of the NS premier and his ministers.

Governance is a responsibility to all its citizens. This current administration’s behaviour to favour corporate interests is not what Nova Scotians voted for in the last election. We expect better!

Jennyfer Brickenden

Brook Village