These protesters have simple messages they want to get across to our decision makers.
November 19, 2025
-by Beverley Phillips
“I’m almost speechless,” said Nadine Hunt as she spoke about the news that the Nova Scotia government rejected Cabot’s proposal to put an 18-hole golf course in the West Mabou Beach Provincial Park.
The announcement was made on Thursday morning. At a press conference, Premier Tim Houston said, “As a government, we’re just trying to make a decision that is this, does this benefit Nova Scotians, and then is it worth taking to the next step? And this one never got, won't get to the next step."
She had just received an email from Claudia Chender telling her the news. “I had to call to confirm,” she said. “I thought we were in this for the long haul.”
The last few weeks have seen much discussion and debate within the community around the proposal. “It’s been such a roller coaster,” said Hunt. “We’ve had so much support, but at the same time, it’s been a heartbreaking ordeal. People have been deeply wounded.”
Hunt wants to see some accountability for what has transpired. “It’s the third time they’ve done this, and Rodney MacDonald needs to be held accountable,” she said. “I’d like to see the layers of action reviewed.”
Doug Lowry is relieved, but says his work isn’t finished yet. “This isn’t done until the Provincial Parks Act is amended, and this kind of development isn’t possible,” he said. “The comments I have seen in the news leave it open to happening in the future.”
When asked, Houston didn’t say his government would reject another proposal down the road. "I don't know what they're going to do. I just know where we're at today,” he said
While Lowry is happy the government has said “no” to the golf course, he said there’s no excuse for this happening in the first place. “Right before the snap election, the premier and the minister of natural resources both said no, and that there was no way it could even happen. Nothing has changed since then, other than the government’s position.”
“I am happy to know my daughter will continue to enjoy the West Mabou Beach Provincial Park like I have,” he concluded.
In a written statement, Claudia Chender thanked and credited the advocacy of Cape Bretoners and Nova Scotians in changing the Houston government’s mind on the matter. She also echoed the calls of Hunt and Lowry on fixing the Parks Act, saying, “We call on the Houston government to make it clear to Nova Scotians that protected land is protected – full stop.”
At a community meeting that evening, the people of Mabou talked about what they needed to do now and how they would move forward together. While some viewed the announcement as good news, not everyone did. In a written summary of the evening, Kate Beaton noted that the turmoil has harmed relationships and wrote, “It’s a reason to grieve. I hope that we can do something to stop this from happening again, legislation that stops this from even being proposed and considered, because Cabot can walk away unscathed, but the community can't.”
The planned rally for the park on Sunday went ahead, and a large crowd showed up at the parking lot on Little Mabou Road, in spite of the cold, wind, and rain.
Beaton emceed the event, which began with a prayer as the community remembered Father Bernie MacDonald, who had been an advocate for the park before his death in 2023.
Hunt was the first speaker. She thanked the people who came out and supported the cause. “It’s a happy day, but it’s bittersweet,” she said. “It's so important that you are here today. It just shows that there is no room for greed. We have a very strong core of people that worked hard advocating for this but none of that would be anything if it wasn't for you. Your voices are the ones that counted. And you did it for yourself, you did it for the park, and you did it for the future.”
Lisa Rankin spoke next about how they will continue to work to ensure this doesn’t happen again. “Cabot does not have social license to operate here,” she said. “We know that the fight will continue, and our commitment to this will continue.”
Beaton then touched on the impact this has had on the community. “Community first was our main priority, as this is painful whenever it happens,” she said. She hoped that they would not have to deal with this again. “I think the majority of people want good things for the community,” she said, “and we might differ a little bit, but when it comes down to it, we are here for each other.”
When Lowry came up to speak, he continued with those themes of community and resolving the issue once and for all. “It was quite clear to me last time around that the community did not support this,” he said. “One of the reasons my wife and I moved to Cape Breton was for natural spaces like West Mabou Beach, and one of the reasons why we stayed is because of the community. We've got a big win here with Premier Houston walking back a little bit on the proposal submitted by Cabot, but by no means are we finished here. Until we finish amending the legislation, this is by no means finished. So let's keep up the momentum.”
Dwayne Beaton also spoke, echoing the sentiments that they won’t stop until the park is truly protected. “What's happening here is wrong. A billionaire corporation is coming in and trying to take land from this community. This is our land, and we're not going to back down to those who want to take it from us.”
Kendra Coombs, NDP MLA for Cape Breton Centre Whitney Pier, came to show her party’s support for their efforts. “It is amazing to see all of you out here in this cold weather in the rain,” she said. “This shows how important this project is to all of you to ensure that West Mabou Beach is protected. All provincial parks must be protected and not just until some development comes along.”
Advocates for protecting West Mabou Beach Provincial Park have informal meetings lined up this week with former Premier and current MLA for Timberlea-Prospect, Iain Rankin, and with MP Jaime Battiste, to discuss how to move forward.
