-by Damian MacInnis Port Hood
We all want better for our region: great healthcare, well-maintained roads, top-notch education, affordable housing, tourism promotion, cultural programs, and strong public services.
But those things have to be paid for.
If we don’t want families and homeowners carrying a higher tax burden, we need to grow the tax base. That means attracting businesses, creating jobs, and supporting responsible economic development.
We can’t keep asking for more services while closing the door on the opportunities that could help fund them.
If not data centres, then what do we want?
If not golf courses, then what do we want?
Those are fair questions, and we need to be willing to discuss real alternatives. What industries will we welcome? Where will people work? What will help our young people build a future here?
Environmental concerns deserve serious consideration. Our land, water, and coastline are part of what makes this region special. Projects should face proper scrutiny, meet strong standards, and deliver meaningful benefits to our communities.
At the same time, protecting the environment and growing the economy need to work together. Every proposal involves trade-offs, and we need to assess them honestly.
Supporting development doesn’t mean handing developers a blank cheque. It means being willing to find a path forward when a project can meet our standards and contribute to our future.
We need a conversation that goes beyond what we oppose and gets specific about what we support and how we intend to pay for the region we all want. Sometimes, that means sacrificing what we believe in for the betterment of our region’s economy.