Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Encyclopedia
Cape Breton Regional Municipality often shortened to simply CBRM, is a regional municipality
in Nova Scotia
's Cape Breton County
.
According to the 2006 Census of Canada, the population within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is 102,250. Its population
makes it the second largest municipality in the province.
In 1995, the government of Nova Scotia sought to reduce the number of incorporated towns and cities in the province through amalgamation. The municipalities from which the CBRM was created include: the Municipality of the County of Cape Breton, the City of Sydney
, the Towns of Glace Bay
, Sydney Mines
, New Waterford
, North Sydney
, Dominion
and Louisbourg
.
camped at locations in present-day Nova Scotia
approximately 11,000 years ago. Archaic Indians are believed to have been present in the area between 1,000 and 5,000 years ago. Mi'kmaq, the First Nations
of this area, are their direct descendants.
The explorer John Cabot is believed to have visited present-day Cape Breton in 1497, although this claim is also contested by Newfoundland.
. Control passed back and forth between the English and French throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Under the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713, France retained control of "Île Royale". In 1719, France began construction on a fortified town located along the sheltered southwestern shore of Havre Louisbourg,
naming the settlement Louisbourg.
The fortress was captured by American colonial forces, then returned by the British to France. It was captured again during the Seven Years' War
which saw the inhabitants expelled and the fortress completely destroyed by British Army engineers in 1760.
. On December 10, 1765, Cape Breton Island was set apart as a separate county. In 1784, the island was made a separate colony with its capital at Sydney however by 1820 the colony was remerged into Nova Scotia.
Both companies built large integrated steel mill
s on their respective sides of Sydney Harbour in 1901; DOMCO's steel mill in Whitney Pier was known as Dominion Iron and Steel Company Limited (DISCO). In 1910, DOMCO and DISCO formed the Sydney & Louisburg Railway
to haul coal and steel from the mines and mill to these ports. In 1914, SCOTIA closed its steel mill in Sydney Mines, focusing exclusively on coal production. In 1920, SCOTIA merged into DOMCO/DISCO to form the British Empire Steel Corporation (BESCO) and began a protracted series of disputes with the United Mine Workers of America, District 26; BESCO's anti-labour policies resulted in this district becoming one of the most militant in North America and made Industrial Cape Breton a pro-labour community. In 1930, BESCO reorganized as Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation (DOSCO) and abandoned the anti-labour tactics.
Coal production under DOSCO peaked in the early 1940s and in 1957 the company became a subsidiary of Hawker-Siddley Group. Hawker-Siddley's DOSCO subsidiary announced in 1965 that its mines had only 15 years of production left and concluded that opening new underground mines in the Sydney Coal Field would be too expensive. The company made its intentions clear that it would be exiting the coal mining business within months.
In response to a vast public outcry in industrial Cape Breton County, the Minority government
of Prime Minister Lester Pearson announced J.R. Donald would head a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Cape Breton coal industry, with hearings held in 1965 and 1966. The Donald Commission recommended that a federal Crown corporation be established to acquire and manage DOSCO's coal operations, with the aim being to slowly wean the area economy from its dependence on the coal industry.
On July 7, 1967 the Cape Breton Development Corporation
(DEVCO), was established to operate the mines in the interim, while phasing them out throughout the 1970s and, at the same time, develop new economic opportunities for the surrounding communities. On March 30, 1968 DEVCO expropriated DOSCO's coal mines and railway, settling for a payment of $12 million.
At the same time, the provincial government expropriated DOSCO's steel mill in Sydney, creating the Sydney Steel Corporation
(SYSCO), while DEVCO would continue to operate the adjacent coke ovens.
Although DEVCO initially sought to reduce coal mining, the global energy crisis of the mid-1970s saw the federal government change its mind and coal production increased with new mines being developed near New Waterford and on Boularderie Island
. In the 1980s, older mines in Glace Bay were closed and SYSCO stopped using coke as a fuel for its mill, resulting in declining demand for coal. By the early 1990s, production problems in the newer mines saw DEVCO reduce its workforce, while problems in the international steel markets saw SYSCO lose its competitive advantage, resulting in similar layoffs.
DEVCO's Lingan Colliery closed in 1992, followed by the Phalen Colliery in 1999 and the Prince Colliery in 2001. At the same time, the provincial government decided to dismantle and sell SYSCO. A federal government economic development initiative is attempting to diversify the CBRM economy.
Aside from coal mining, CBRM is also home to several other industrial activities, namely the fishery and forestry. Forest harvesting takes place on both private and Crown land in its rural districts with wood trucked to other parts of Nova Scotia for processing. The region is home to a sizable fishing fleet, ranging from lobster and scallop harvesting to groundfish trawlers. Fishing was an economic mainstay for coastal communities in the region throughout the 20th century, particularly through industrialization, however by the 1990s many fish stocks were depleted by overfishing
, although some fish processing
still occurs in the region.
, but was taken up and implemented by the incoming Liberal
government of John Savage
.
The provincial government subsequently forced the amalgamation of both Halifax
and Cape Breton
counties and supported the voluntary amalgamation of Queens Regional Municipality. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality Act was implemented and the CBRM was created on August 1, 1995, whereas the amalgamation in Halifax County didn't take place until April 1, 1996 and Queens County several years later.
The boundary of CBRM includes all of Cape Breton County except for the Eskasoni
and Membertou
First Nations.
See List of communities in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
The climate of the CBRM is cool and wet although it is warmer than most other places in Canada. The average annual temperature is close to 6 degrees Celsius (43°F
). Average summer maximum temperature is 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). Temperatures are rarely above 30°C (86°F). Winter minimums are usually around -15°C (5°F) and rarely drop below -20°C (-4°F) although strong winter winds can make it seem much colder.
.
The regional municipality is home to Cape Breton University
(CBU) - formerly known as the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB) - located approximately seven kilometres east of Sydney on the highway to Glace Bay. It is also home to the Marconi Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College
, which is located on property adjacent to the Cape Breton University campus.
, and a variety of Eastern European countries.
CBRM is home to several performance centres, including the Centre 200
sports arena in Sydney (home to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
QMJHL team) and the historic Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay. Glace Bay is home to the Cape Breton Miners' Museum, the Marconi National Historic Site and the Glace Bay Heritage Museum
. Louisbourg is home to Fortress Louisbourg, the largest historical reconstruction in North America.
CBRM hosts a CBC Radio
studio with morning and afternoon broadcasts across Cape Breton Island. There are also five commercial radio stations. The municipality used to host CBC
(CBIT) and ATV
(CJCB-TV
) television studios, however these studios were closed in the 1980s and television news programming for Cape Breton Island is now broadcast from Halifax for these networks.
CBRM has a daily newspaper, the Cape Breton Post
, which is a broadsheet focusing on Cape Breton Island. Its editorial style is populist conservative, and it is owned by Transcontinental Media. The Halifax
-based Chronicle-Herald is a daily broadsheet covering the entire province and maintains a bureau in Sydney. Boardwalk is an independently-owned free "alternative bi-weekly" focused primarily on arts and culture in Cape Breton.
were hard hit by the closure of the cod
fishery in the 1990s, including the closure of several fish plants in southeastern Cape Breton Island. The CBRM also suffered as the coal and steel industry went into decline. Sydney Steel Corporation
's steel mill was permanently closed in 2000, followed by the last of the Cape Breton Development Corporation
's coal mines in 2001. Since this time, the federal and provincial governments have been attempting to diversify the local economy. Currently, the former Sydney Steel Corporation
's site in Sydney has been transformed into the Harbourside Commercial Park, and is currently seeking tenants to occupy prime office and light industrial space. The Sydney Port Access Road or SPAR, links Harbourside Commercial Park to Highway 125
.
Today, CBRM continues to deal with the environmental results of one hundred years of mining and steel making. The most significant is the cleanup of the Sydney Tar Ponds
, a tidal estuary contaminated with a variety of coal-based wastes from coke ovens which created fuel for the steel mill. To date, much of the preliminary work on the project is completed, such as the dismantling of derelict buildings on the former Coke Ovens site, the re-routing of Coke Ovens Brook, and the construction of a coffer dam at Battery Point where the South Tar Pond empties into Sydney Harbour.
CBRM is home to a significant tourism industry. Nearby attractions such as the Cape Breton Highlands
, Bras d'Or Lake
and Fortress Louisbourg have made Cape Breton Island a tourism destination for many years. A growing cruise ship
business has been making use of the port of Sydney to give cruise passengers access to the area. The Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion is a modern facility located on Sydney's Government Wharf and greets cruise ship passengers to the sight of a 50-foot high illuminated fiddle which plays celtic music. The Port of Sydney hosts 50 cruise ships per season, most notably the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2, and Maasdam
.
The port also holds potential in any future offshore petroleum and natural gas exploration in the Laurentian Basin, southeast of Cape Breton Island; an area that has been touted as a potential economic catalyst for the industrial Cape Breton area. Light manufacturing and information technology are other sectors which governments are attempting to strengthen in the local economy.
In recent years, CBRM's retail sector has expanded and many "big box" stores have either been constructed or expanded. The Sydney Port Access Road has fueled this growth and has attracted retailers to expand their operations; Wal-Mart
and Canadian Tire
have relocated to the road, as well as a new Home Depot. The Mayflower Mall, Cape Breton Island's largest shopping centre, divided the old Wal-Mart location and added three large retailers, Winners, SportChek, and Future Shop
. Burnac Corporation of Toronto
, which manages the Mayflower Mall, also has plans to open the Sydney Power Centre across the street at the corner of the SPAR and Highway 125.
Population trend
Mother tongue language (2006)
Ethnic origin (2006)
elected at-large and 16 Councillors, each of whom are elected to represent a separate district. Council and its committees meet at least once a month. Municipal governments in Nova Scotia are elected every four years, and the next round of elections is scheduled in October 2008.
CBRM's current mayor has been an active advocate for "fair and equitable treatment" of the regional municipality by the federal and provincial governments, specifically arguing the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia that provincial government has a constitutional obligation to provide higher equalization payments to the municipality.
Council has also authorized several studies regarding fairness and equity, and has debated proposals to politically and administratively separate Cape Breton Regional Municipality, or possibly Cape Breton Island from Nova Scotia.
ferry services to Newfoundland. It is also the eastern terminus of two east-west highways in the province: Highway 105
, the Trans-Canada Highway
, runs along the north shore of Bras d'Or Lake
and accesses the northern part of CBRM, whereas Trunk 4 extends along the southern part of Bras d'Or Lake and accesses the western and eastern part of the municipality. Both highways are linked by the limited access Highway 125 which is a regional arterial highway around Sydney Harbour. Highway 125 is currently being upgraded from 2-lane limited access to a 4-lane expressway
. Highway 104
is currently scheduled to be extended east from its current terminus in St. Peters as a 4-lane expressway running parallel to Trunk 4 along the southern shore of Bras d'Or Lake from an interchange with Highway 125 in Coxheath
to the Canso Causeway
; construction is estimated to be complete in the 2010s.
Transit Cape Breton
is CBRM's public transit service and offers thirteen bus routes within the municipality, serving the region's larger communities: Sydney, Sydney River, Glace Bay, New Waterford, Dominion, Reserve Mines, North Sydney and Sydney Mines. A "Handi-Trans" mode of transport is available for passengers whose disabilities restrict them from using Transit Cape Breton's regular bus service. Fares range from $1.00 to $5.00, depending on how many zones are traveled.
The Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway
and the Sydney Coal Railway
provide rail service to CBRM and the port of Sydney.
The Cape Breton Regional Police Service provides policing for all areas of CBRM with the exception of the First Nation community of Eskasoni which is policed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP). The CBRPS operates out of three geographic divisions, Central (Sydney), East (Glace Bay) and North (North Sydney). The CBRPS works towards providing efficient law enforcement and working within the community and has recently cracked down on drug related crime in CBRM.
Policing in Cape Breton County prior to amalgamation was originally the responsibility of individual police forces in the towns of North Sydney, Sydney Mines, New Waterford, Glace Bay and Louisbourg, as well as the city of Sydney. Policing in the unincorporated areas of Cape Breton County was the responsibility of contract policing with the RCMP. Post-amalgamation saw the CBRPS take over policing from the municipal forces while the RCMP maintained its contract policing in the former county.
Several years after amalgamation (late 1990s), the CBRM sought to consolidate police services with either the CBRPS or the RCMP. A divisive debate ensued with many rural residents wishing to see the non-unionized RCMP take over policing across CBRM and led their lobbying effort through a group calling itself "Citizens in Action" (CIA). The urban areas, influenced by decades of organized labour activities , wished to see the unionized CBRPS take over the RCMP's duties across CBRM and this ultimately was the policy adopted.
Fire
Fire services for the CBRM are provided by the Cape Breton Regional Fire Service which consists of 36 fire stations dispersed throughout the municipality; urban stations are staffed by career firefighters whereas rural stations are staffed by volunteers.
Ambulance
Ambulance service in the CBRM is provided by the provincial government's Emergency Health Services
.
Emergency Measures Organization
The provincial Emergency Measures Act requires each municipality to develop an emergency measures organization. The CBRM has passed the Emergency Measures By-Law C2 which enables the CBRM Emergency Plan and allows the provincial Emergency Measures Organization (a division of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources) to maintain it. The CBRM EMO By-Law provides the following:: EMO Advisory Committee, Emergency Measures Coordinator, and an Emergency Preparedness Planning Committee.
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Regional municipality
A regional municipality is a type of Canadian municipal government similar to and at the same municipal government level as a county, although the specific structure and servicing responsibilities may vary from place to place...
in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
's Cape Breton County
Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton County, officially, County Cape Breton, is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island.Taking its name from Cape Breton, the most easterly point of the island which was called after the Bretons of Brittany, this municipality has what is probably the oldest...
.
According to the 2006 Census of Canada, the population within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is 102,250. Its population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
makes it the second largest municipality in the province.
In 1995, the government of Nova Scotia sought to reduce the number of incorporated towns and cities in the province through amalgamation. The municipalities from which the CBRM was created include: the Municipality of the County of Cape Breton, the City of Sydney
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Sydney is a Canadian urban community in the province of Nova Scotia. It is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and is administratively part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
, the Towns of Glace Bay
Glace Bay, Nova Scotia
Glace Bay is a community in the eastern part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. It forms part of the general area referred to as Industrial Cape Breton....
, Sydney Mines
Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia
Sydney Mines is a former town in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.Founded in 1784 and incorporated as a town in 1889, Sydney Mines has a rich history in coal production, although mining activity has now ceased.Prior to a permanent settlement being established, there was significant...
, New Waterford
New Waterford, Nova Scotia
New Waterford is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-Geography:New Waterford is located north of Sydney and northwest of Glace Bay. It is named after the city of Waterford, in Ireland. It is located near the ocean and is bordered on one side by cliffs...
, North Sydney
North Sydney, Nova Scotia
North Sydney is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.Located on the north side of Sydney Harbour, along the eastern coast of Cape Breton Island, North Sydney is an important port in Atlantic Canada as it is the western terminus of the Marine Atlantic ferry service...
, Dominion
Dominion, Nova Scotia
Dominion is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.It is located immediately west of the larger centre of Glace Bay....
and Louisbourg
Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
Louisbourg is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-History:The town's name was given by French military forces who founded the Fortress of Louisbourg and its fortified seaport on the southwest part of the harbour, in honour of Louis XV...
.
Mi'kmaq
Paleo-IndiansPaleo Indians
Paleo-Indians or Paleoamericans is a classification term given to the first peoples who entered, and subsequently inhabited, the American continent during the final glacial episodes of the late Pleistocene period...
camped at locations in present-day Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
approximately 11,000 years ago. Archaic Indians are believed to have been present in the area between 1,000 and 5,000 years ago. Mi'kmaq, the First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
of this area, are their direct descendants.
The explorer John Cabot is believed to have visited present-day Cape Breton in 1497, although this claim is also contested by Newfoundland.
French settlement
The French were the first Europeans to claim the region, which was named AcadiaAcadia
Acadia was the name given to lands in a portion of the French colonial empire of New France, in northeastern North America that included parts of eastern Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and modern-day Maine. At the end of the 16th century, France claimed territory stretching as far south as...
. Control passed back and forth between the English and French throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Under the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713, France retained control of "Île Royale". In 1719, France began construction on a fortified town located along the sheltered southwestern shore of Havre Louisbourg,
naming the settlement Louisbourg.
The fortress was captured by American colonial forces, then returned by the British to France. It was captured again during the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
which saw the inhabitants expelled and the fortress completely destroyed by British Army engineers in 1760.
Post-Acadian settlement
By proclamation of October 17, 1763 after termination of the Seven Years War, Île Royale was renamed Cape Breton Island and was formally annexed to Nova Scotia. For a time thereafter Cape Breton Island was part of Halifax CountyHalifax County, Nova Scotia
Halifax County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.The Municipality of the County of Halifax was the municipal government of Halifax County, apart from the separately incorporated towns and cities therein...
. On December 10, 1765, Cape Breton Island was set apart as a separate county. In 1784, the island was made a separate colony with its capital at Sydney however by 1820 the colony was remerged into Nova Scotia.
Industrial activity
Coal mining began during the 18th century to supply Fortress Louisbourg. Industrial mining began in 1826 under the General Mining Association monopoly, followed in later years by independent American-owned mines south of Sydney Harbour. Large-scale mining commenced in 1893 under the auspices of the Dominion Coal Company (DOMCO) which merged these independent mines. The GMA reorganized its mines on the north side of Sydney Harbour in 1900 as the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company (SCOTIA).Both companies built large integrated steel mill
Steel mill
A steel mill or steelworks is an industrial plant for the manufacture of steel.Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. It is produced in a two-stage process. First, iron ore is reduced or smelted with coke and limestone in a blast furnace, producing molten iron which is either cast into pig iron or...
s on their respective sides of Sydney Harbour in 1901; DOMCO's steel mill in Whitney Pier was known as Dominion Iron and Steel Company Limited (DISCO). In 1910, DOMCO and DISCO formed the Sydney & Louisburg Railway
Sydney and Louisburg Railway
The Sydney and Louisburg Railway is a historic Canadian railway. Built to transport coal from various mines to the ports of Sydney and Louisbourg, the S&L operated in the eastern part of Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia...
to haul coal and steel from the mines and mill to these ports. In 1914, SCOTIA closed its steel mill in Sydney Mines, focusing exclusively on coal production. In 1920, SCOTIA merged into DOMCO/DISCO to form the British Empire Steel Corporation (BESCO) and began a protracted series of disputes with the United Mine Workers of America, District 26; BESCO's anti-labour policies resulted in this district becoming one of the most militant in North America and made Industrial Cape Breton a pro-labour community. In 1930, BESCO reorganized as Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation (DOSCO) and abandoned the anti-labour tactics.
Coal production under DOSCO peaked in the early 1940s and in 1957 the company became a subsidiary of Hawker-Siddley Group. Hawker-Siddley's DOSCO subsidiary announced in 1965 that its mines had only 15 years of production left and concluded that opening new underground mines in the Sydney Coal Field would be too expensive. The company made its intentions clear that it would be exiting the coal mining business within months.
In response to a vast public outcry in industrial Cape Breton County, the Minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
of Prime Minister Lester Pearson announced J.R. Donald would head a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Cape Breton coal industry, with hearings held in 1965 and 1966. The Donald Commission recommended that a federal Crown corporation be established to acquire and manage DOSCO's coal operations, with the aim being to slowly wean the area economy from its dependence on the coal industry.
-
- "Future planning should be based on the assumption that the Sydney [sic] mines will not operate beyond 1981."
On July 7, 1967 the Cape Breton Development Corporation
Cape Breton Development Corporation
The Cape Breton Development Corporation, or DEVCO, was a Canadian federal government Crown corporation. It ceased operation on December 31, 2009, after being amalgamated with Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation ....
(DEVCO), was established to operate the mines in the interim, while phasing them out throughout the 1970s and, at the same time, develop new economic opportunities for the surrounding communities. On March 30, 1968 DEVCO expropriated DOSCO's coal mines and railway, settling for a payment of $12 million.
At the same time, the provincial government expropriated DOSCO's steel mill in Sydney, creating the Sydney Steel Corporation
Sydney Steel Corporation
Sydney Steel Corporation was a Crown corporation in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.-Steel comes to Sydney:An integrated steel mill was established on the southeast side of Sydney Harbour in the Whitney Pier neighbourhood of Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1901 by American investors...
(SYSCO), while DEVCO would continue to operate the adjacent coke ovens.
Although DEVCO initially sought to reduce coal mining, the global energy crisis of the mid-1970s saw the federal government change its mind and coal production increased with new mines being developed near New Waterford and on Boularderie Island
Boularderie Island
Boularderie Island is an island separating the Cabot Strait from Bras d'Or Lake on the eastern coast of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. It takes its name from Louis-Simon le Poupet de la Boularderie, who was granted the area as a concession from the King of France.At 40 km long and...
. In the 1980s, older mines in Glace Bay were closed and SYSCO stopped using coke as a fuel for its mill, resulting in declining demand for coal. By the early 1990s, production problems in the newer mines saw DEVCO reduce its workforce, while problems in the international steel markets saw SYSCO lose its competitive advantage, resulting in similar layoffs.
DEVCO's Lingan Colliery closed in 1992, followed by the Phalen Colliery in 1999 and the Prince Colliery in 2001. At the same time, the provincial government decided to dismantle and sell SYSCO. A federal government economic development initiative is attempting to diversify the CBRM economy.
Aside from coal mining, CBRM is also home to several other industrial activities, namely the fishery and forestry. Forest harvesting takes place on both private and Crown land in its rural districts with wood trucked to other parts of Nova Scotia for processing. The region is home to a sizable fishing fleet, ranging from lobster and scallop harvesting to groundfish trawlers. Fishing was an economic mainstay for coastal communities in the region throughout the 20th century, particularly through industrialization, however by the 1990s many fish stocks were depleted by overfishing
Overfishing
Overfishing occurs when fishing activities reduce fish stocks below an acceptable level. This can occur in any body of water from a pond to the oceans....
, although some fish processing
Fish processing
The term fish processing refers to the processes associated with fish and fish products between the time fish are caught or harvested, and the time the final product is delivered to the customer...
still occurs in the region.
Amalgamation
The Haywood Report in 1993 stated that 67 municipalities in Nova Scotia were too many to efficiently and cost effectively provide services in a province having a population of slightly more than 900,000. The report was commissioned for the Progressive Conservative government of Donald CameronDonald William Cameron
Donald William Cameron was the 22nd Premier of Nova Scotia, Canada, from February 1991 to June 1993.His administration was known for a smaller cabinet, supporting anti-discrimination measures, and amending the human rights act to extend protection to gays and lesbians...
, but was taken up and implemented by the incoming Liberal
Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
The Liberal Party of Nova Scotia is a political party in Nova Scotia, Canada.-Origins:The party is descended from the pre-Confederation Reformers in Nova Scotia who coalesced around Joseph Howe demanding the institution of responsible government...
government of John Savage
John Savage (politician)
John Patrick Savage, OC, ONS was the 23rd Premier of Nova Scotia, Canada between 1993 and 1997.- Welsh birth :Born in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales, and keeping his Welsh accent to the end, Savage graduated from Queen's University of Belfast and practiced as a Medical doctor in Newport until he...
.
The provincial government subsequently forced the amalgamation of both Halifax
Halifax County, Nova Scotia
Halifax County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.The Municipality of the County of Halifax was the municipal government of Halifax County, apart from the separately incorporated towns and cities therein...
and Cape Breton
Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton County, officially, County Cape Breton, is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island.Taking its name from Cape Breton, the most easterly point of the island which was called after the Bretons of Brittany, this municipality has what is probably the oldest...
counties and supported the voluntary amalgamation of Queens Regional Municipality. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality Act was implemented and the CBRM was created on August 1, 1995, whereas the amalgamation in Halifax County didn't take place until April 1, 1996 and Queens County several years later.
Climate and geography
Eskasoni 3, Nova Scotia
Eskasoni 3 is a Mi'kmaq reserve located in Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia.It is administratively part of the Eskasoni First Nation....
and Membertou
Membertou 28B, Nova Scotia
Membertou 28B is a Mi'kmaq reserve located in Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia.It is administratively part of the Membertou First Nation....
First Nations.
See List of communities in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
The climate of the CBRM is cool and wet although it is warmer than most other places in Canada. The average annual temperature is close to 6 degrees Celsius (43°F
Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit is the temperature scale proposed in 1724 by, and named after, the German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit . Within this scale, the freezing of water into ice is defined at 32 degrees, while the boiling point of water is defined to be 212 degrees...
). Average summer maximum temperature is 25 degrees Celsius (77°F). Temperatures are rarely above 30°C (86°F). Winter minimums are usually around -15°C (5°F) and rarely drop below -20°C (-4°F) although strong winter winds can make it seem much colder.
Education
CBRM has public schools operated by the provincial government's Department of Education, providing instruction for grades K-12. The schools are part of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board, along with schools in neighbouring Victoria CountyVictoria County, Nova Scotia
Victoria County is a county in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.The shire town and largest municipality is the village of Baddeck.-History:Named after Queen Victoria, it was established by statute in 1851...
.
The regional municipality is home to Cape Breton University
Cape Breton University
Cape Breton University , formerly the "University College of Cape Breton" , is a Canadian university in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
(CBU) - formerly known as the University College of Cape Breton (UCCB) - located approximately seven kilometres east of Sydney on the highway to Glace Bay. It is also home to the Marconi Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College
Nova Scotia Community College
The Nova Scotia Community College, commonly referred to as the NSCC, is a community college serving the province of Nova Scotia.The college delivers a diverse program of trades, technology, health, human services, applied arts, new media, business administration and adult education through a system...
, which is located on property adjacent to the Cape Breton University campus.
Culture, sport, and recreation
CBRM's culture is dominated by the Scottish Gaelic, or "Celtic" heritage common to most of Cape Breton Island, however the urban industrial area of CBRM is also influenced by a mixture of other cultures including African Canadian, Jewish, Newfoundland, IrishIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and a variety of Eastern European countries.
CBRM is home to several performance centres, including the Centre 200
Centre 200
Centre 200 is Cape Breton's primary sports and entertainment facility, located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It is home to the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and the NSMMHL's Cape Breton Tradesmen. Besides ice hockey, the arena hosts many other events, such as rock concerts, figure skating, and...
sports arena in Sydney (home to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
The Cape Breton Screaming Eagles are a major junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Their home rink is Centre 200 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.-Franchise history :...
QMJHL team) and the historic Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay. Glace Bay is home to the Cape Breton Miners' Museum, the Marconi National Historic Site and the Glace Bay Heritage Museum
Glace Bay Heritage Museum
The Glace Bay Heritage Museum or the Old Town Hall is located in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, in the one-time town hall.The town's memorial to its deceased coal miners is located on the museum grounds.Some items contained in the museum are:...
. Louisbourg is home to Fortress Louisbourg, the largest historical reconstruction in North America.
CBRM hosts a CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
studio with morning and afternoon broadcasts across Cape Breton Island. There are also five commercial radio stations. The municipality used to host CBC
CBHT
CBHT is the flagship station of CBC Television in the Atlantic Time Zone of Canada. CBHT broadcasts on terrestrial channel 39 at 157.54 kW and cable channel 11 in the Halifax metro area...
(CBIT) and ATV
CTV Atlantic
CTV Atlantic is a system of four television stations in the Canadian Maritimes, owned and operated by the CTV Television Network, a division of Bell Media...
(CJCB-TV
CJCB-TV
CJCB-TV is a Canadian television station, broadcasting in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It is an O&O of the CTV Television Network, through the CTV Atlantic regional system in the Canadian Maritimes....
) television studios, however these studios were closed in the 1980s and television news programming for Cape Breton Island is now broadcast from Halifax for these networks.
CBRM has a daily newspaper, the Cape Breton Post
Cape Breton Post
The Cape Breton Post is the only daily newspaper published on Cape Breton Island. Based in Sydney, Nova Scotia, it specializes in local coverage of news, events, and sports from communities in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the counties of Inverness, Richmond and Victoria.The paper is...
, which is a broadsheet focusing on Cape Breton Island. Its editorial style is populist conservative, and it is owned by Transcontinental Media. The Halifax
Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Halifax Regional Municipality is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The Regional Municipality had a 2006 census population of 372,679, while the metropolitan area had a 2010 estimated population of 403,188, and the urban area of Halifax had a population of 282,924...
-based Chronicle-Herald is a daily broadsheet covering the entire province and maintains a bureau in Sydney. Boardwalk is an independently-owned free "alternative bi-weekly" focused primarily on arts and culture in Cape Breton.
Economy and recent development
CBRM has been undergoing an economic decline for several decades as the region adjusts from an industrial to a post-industrial or service economy. Large parts of Atlantic CanadaAtlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada is the region of Canada comprising the four provinces located on the Atlantic coast, excluding Quebec: the three Maritime provinces – New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia – and Newfoundland and Labrador...
were hard hit by the closure of the cod
Cod
Cod is the common name for genus Gadus, belonging to the family Gadidae, and is also used in the common name for various other fishes. Cod is a popular food with a mild flavor, low fat content and a dense, flaky white flesh. Cod livers are processed to make cod liver oil, an important source of...
fishery in the 1990s, including the closure of several fish plants in southeastern Cape Breton Island. The CBRM also suffered as the coal and steel industry went into decline. Sydney Steel Corporation
Sydney Steel Corporation
Sydney Steel Corporation was a Crown corporation in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.-Steel comes to Sydney:An integrated steel mill was established on the southeast side of Sydney Harbour in the Whitney Pier neighbourhood of Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1901 by American investors...
's steel mill was permanently closed in 2000, followed by the last of the Cape Breton Development Corporation
Cape Breton Development Corporation
The Cape Breton Development Corporation, or DEVCO, was a Canadian federal government Crown corporation. It ceased operation on December 31, 2009, after being amalgamated with Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation ....
's coal mines in 2001. Since this time, the federal and provincial governments have been attempting to diversify the local economy. Currently, the former Sydney Steel Corporation
Sydney Steel Corporation
Sydney Steel Corporation was a Crown corporation in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.-Steel comes to Sydney:An integrated steel mill was established on the southeast side of Sydney Harbour in the Whitney Pier neighbourhood of Sydney, Nova Scotia in 1901 by American investors...
's site in Sydney has been transformed into the Harbourside Commercial Park, and is currently seeking tenants to occupy prime office and light industrial space. The Sydney Port Access Road or SPAR, links Harbourside Commercial Park to Highway 125
Nova Scotia Highway 125
Highway 125 is a 30 km long controlled-access highway located in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.Part of the provincial 100-series arterial highway network, Highway 125 encircles the west side of Sydney Harbour, from an interchange with Highway 105 at Sydney Mines to Trunk 4 at...
.
Today, CBRM continues to deal with the environmental results of one hundred years of mining and steel making. The most significant is the cleanup of the Sydney Tar Ponds
Sydney Tar Ponds
The Sydney Tar Ponds are a hazardous waste site on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.Located on the eastern shore of Sydney Harbour in the former city of Sydney , the Tar Ponds form a tidal estuary at the mouth of Muggah Creek, a freshwater stream that empties into the harbour...
, a tidal estuary contaminated with a variety of coal-based wastes from coke ovens which created fuel for the steel mill. To date, much of the preliminary work on the project is completed, such as the dismantling of derelict buildings on the former Coke Ovens site, the re-routing of Coke Ovens Brook, and the construction of a coffer dam at Battery Point where the South Tar Pond empties into Sydney Harbour.
CBRM is home to a significant tourism industry. Nearby attractions such as the Cape Breton Highlands
Cape Breton Highlands
The Cape Breton Highlands, commonly called the Highlands, refer to a highland or mountainous plateau of ancient rock across the northern part of Cape Breton Island in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia....
, Bras d'Or Lake
Bras d'Or Lake
Bras d'Or Lake is a large body of salt water dominating the centre of Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Bras d'Or Lake is sometimes referred to as the Bras d'Or Lakes or the Bras d'Or Lakes system, however its official geographic name is Bras d'Or Lake as it is a singular...
and Fortress Louisbourg have made Cape Breton Island a tourism destination for many years. A growing cruise ship
Cruise ship
A cruise ship or cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way...
business has been making use of the port of Sydney to give cruise passengers access to the area. The Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion is a modern facility located on Sydney's Government Wharf and greets cruise ship passengers to the sight of a 50-foot high illuminated fiddle which plays celtic music. The Port of Sydney hosts 50 cruise ships per season, most notably the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2, and Maasdam
Maasdam
Maasdam is a village in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is located about 14 km south of the city of Rotterdam, in the municipality of Binnenmaas.Maasdam was a separate municipality until 1984, when it became part of Binnenmaas.-External links:...
.
The port also holds potential in any future offshore petroleum and natural gas exploration in the Laurentian Basin, southeast of Cape Breton Island; an area that has been touted as a potential economic catalyst for the industrial Cape Breton area. Light manufacturing and information technology are other sectors which governments are attempting to strengthen in the local economy.
In recent years, CBRM's retail sector has expanded and many "big box" stores have either been constructed or expanded. The Sydney Port Access Road has fueled this growth and has attracted retailers to expand their operations; Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
and Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is one of Canada's 60 largest publicly traded companies. The firm operates an inter-related network of businesses engaged in retailing hardgoods, apparel and petroleum as well as financial and automotive services, employing more than 58,000 people across Canada...
have relocated to the road, as well as a new Home Depot. The Mayflower Mall, Cape Breton Island's largest shopping centre, divided the old Wal-Mart location and added three large retailers, Winners, SportChek, and Future Shop
Future Shop
Future Shop is Canada's largest consumer electronics retailer. Future Shop currently operates a total of 146 stores across all of Canada's provinces as of December 2008....
. Burnac Corporation of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, which manages the Mayflower Mall, also has plans to open the Sydney Power Centre across the street at the corner of the SPAR and Highway 125.
Demographics
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| County | |
| 1851 | 27,520 |
| 1861 | 20,866 |
| 1871 | 26,454 |
| 1881 | 31,817 |
| 1891 | 34,244 |
| 1901 | 49,166 |
| 1911 | 73,500 |
| 1921 | 86,319 |
| 1931 | 92,502 |
| 1941 | 110,703 |
| 1951 | 120,306 |
| 1961 | 131,507 |
| 1971 | 129,075 |
| 1981 | 127,035 |
| 1991 | 117,403 |
| Regional | Municipality |
| 2001 | 105,968 |
| 2006 | 102,250 |
Population trend
| Census | Population | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 102,250 | 3.5% |
| 2001 | 105,968 | 7.6% |
| 1996 | 114,733 | 2.3% |
| 1991 | 117,403 | N/A |
Mother tongue language (2006)
| Language | Population | Pct (%) |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 97,860 | 96.91% |
| Other languages | 2,015 | 2.00% |
| French only | 965 | 0.96% |
| Both English and French | 140 | 0.13% |
Ethnic origin (2006)
| Ethnicity | Population | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
49,960 | 46.3% |
| Scottish | 43,055 | 39.9% |
| English | 24,305 | 22.5% |
| Irish Irish Canadian Irish Canadian are immigrants and descendants of immigrants who originated in Ireland. 1.2 million Irish immigrants arrived, 1825 to 1970, at least half of those in the period from 1831-1850. By 1867, they were the second largest ethnic group , and comprised 24% of Canada's population... |
23,300 | 21.6% |
| French French Canadian French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries... |
17,665 | 16.4% |
| North American Indian First Nations First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The... |
4,435 | 4.1% |
| Italian Italian-Canadian An Italian Canadian is a Canadian of Italian descent or heritage. According to the 2006 census of Canada, 1,445,335 Canadians consider themselves to be of Italian origin. The Italian-Canadian population climbed by more than 12% and half have combined Italian origins along with another ethnic... |
3,075 | 2.9% |
| German German-Canadian German Canadians are Canadians of ethnic German ancestry. The 2006 Canadian census put the number of Canadians of German ethnicity at 3,179,425. Only a small fraction of German Canadians are descendants of immigrants from what is today Germany... |
2,660 | 2.5% |
| Polish Polish Canadians Polish Canadians are Citizens of Canada with Polish ancestry, and Poles who immigrated to Canada from abroad. According to the 2001 census by Statistics Canada, 984,585 Canadians claim full or partial Polish ancestry.-History:... |
2,390 | 2.2% |
| Dutch (Netherlands) Dutch Canadians According to the Canada 2006 Census, there are 1,035,965 Canadians of Dutch descent, including those of full or partial ancestry.-History:The first Dutch people to come to Canada were Dutch-Americans among the United Empire Loyalists. The largest wave was in the late nineteenth and early twentieth... |
1,520 | 1.4% |
| Ukrainian Ukrainian Canadian A Ukrainian Canadian is a person of Ukrainian descent or origin who was born in or immigrated to Canada. In 2006, there were an estimated 1,209,085 persons residing in Canada of Ukrainian origin, making them Canada's ninth largest ethnic group; and giving Canada the world's third-largest... |
1,140 | 1.1% |
| Welsh Welsh Canadian As of 2006 440,965 Canadian identify themselves as having some Welsh descent, with 27,115 of these identifying as exclusively Welsh.-The Welsh in Canada:... |
1,105 | 1.0% |
| Lebanese Lebanese-Canadian Lebanese Canadians are Canadian nationals of Lebanese origin. There are according to the 2006 Census some 165,150 Canadians of Lebanese origin, making them by far the largest group of people with Arabic-speaking roots.... |
1,075 | 1.0% |
Government
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality Council is composed of a MayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
elected at-large and 16 Councillors, each of whom are elected to represent a separate district. Council and its committees meet at least once a month. Municipal governments in Nova Scotia are elected every four years, and the next round of elections is scheduled in October 2008.
CBRM's current mayor has been an active advocate for "fair and equitable treatment" of the regional municipality by the federal and provincial governments, specifically arguing the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia that provincial government has a constitutional obligation to provide higher equalization payments to the municipality.
Council has also authorized several studies regarding fairness and equity, and has debated proposals to politically and administratively separate Cape Breton Regional Municipality, or possibly Cape Breton Island from Nova Scotia.
Transportation
CBRM is the western terminus of the Marine AtlanticMarine Atlantic
Marine Atlantic Inc. is an independent Canadian Crown corporation offering ferry services between the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.Marine Atlantic's corporate headquarters are in St...
ferry services to Newfoundland. It is also the eastern terminus of two east-west highways in the province: Highway 105
Nova Scotia Highway 105
Highway 105 in Nova Scotia represents the Cape Breton Island leg of the Trans-Canada Highway. It runs from the junction just east of the Canso Causeway in Port Hastings to the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal in North Sydney, representing a distance of ....
, the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
, runs along the north shore of Bras d'Or Lake
Bras d'Or Lake
Bras d'Or Lake is a large body of salt water dominating the centre of Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Bras d'Or Lake is sometimes referred to as the Bras d'Or Lakes or the Bras d'Or Lakes system, however its official geographic name is Bras d'Or Lake as it is a singular...
and accesses the northern part of CBRM, whereas Trunk 4 extends along the southern part of Bras d'Or Lake and accesses the western and eastern part of the municipality. Both highways are linked by the limited access Highway 125 which is a regional arterial highway around Sydney Harbour. Highway 125 is currently being upgraded from 2-lane limited access to a 4-lane expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
. Highway 104
Nova Scotia Highway 104
Highway 104 in Nova Scotia runs from the New Brunswick border near Amherst to St. Peter's. Except for the portion on Cape Breton Island between Port Hawkesbury and St. Peter's, it is part of the Trans-Canada Highway....
is currently scheduled to be extended east from its current terminus in St. Peters as a 4-lane expressway running parallel to Trunk 4 along the southern shore of Bras d'Or Lake from an interchange with Highway 125 in Coxheath
Coxheath, Nova Scotia
Coxheath is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton County. The community is home to Riverview Rural High School, a secondary school housing approximately 1000 students.-References:*...
to the Canso Causeway
Canso Causeway
The Canso Causeway is a rock-fill causeway in Nova Scotia, Canada.The causeway crosses the Strait of Canso, connecting Cape Breton Island by road to the Nova Scotia peninsula...
; construction is estimated to be complete in the 2010s.
Transit Cape Breton
Transit Cape Breton
Transit Cape Breton is a Canadian public transport agency operating buses in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality .Owned by the CBRM, Transit Cape Breton's operations area is the urban core in the eastern part of the municipality, namely Industrial Cape Breton, which includes the...
is CBRM's public transit service and offers thirteen bus routes within the municipality, serving the region's larger communities: Sydney, Sydney River, Glace Bay, New Waterford, Dominion, Reserve Mines, North Sydney and Sydney Mines. A "Handi-Trans" mode of transport is available for passengers whose disabilities restrict them from using Transit Cape Breton's regular bus service. Fares range from $1.00 to $5.00, depending on how many zones are traveled.
The Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway
Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway
The Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway is a railway operating in Nova Scotia between Sydney and Truro with spurs at Sydney, Point Tupper, Trenton and Stellarton....
and the Sydney Coal Railway
Sydney Coal Railway
The Sydney Coal Railway is a Canadian short-line railway operating in the eastern part of Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia.SCR operates from the international coaling piers on Sydney Harbour in Sydney to the Lingan Generating Station, a coal-fired electrical generating station near New Waterford...
provide rail service to CBRM and the port of Sydney.
Protective services
PoliceThe Cape Breton Regional Police Service provides policing for all areas of CBRM with the exception of the First Nation community of Eskasoni which is policed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
(RCMP). The CBRPS operates out of three geographic divisions, Central (Sydney), East (Glace Bay) and North (North Sydney). The CBRPS works towards providing efficient law enforcement and working within the community and has recently cracked down on drug related crime in CBRM.
Policing in Cape Breton County prior to amalgamation was originally the responsibility of individual police forces in the towns of North Sydney, Sydney Mines, New Waterford, Glace Bay and Louisbourg, as well as the city of Sydney. Policing in the unincorporated areas of Cape Breton County was the responsibility of contract policing with the RCMP. Post-amalgamation saw the CBRPS take over policing from the municipal forces while the RCMP maintained its contract policing in the former county.
Several years after amalgamation (late 1990s), the CBRM sought to consolidate police services with either the CBRPS or the RCMP. A divisive debate ensued with many rural residents wishing to see the non-unionized RCMP take over policing across CBRM and led their lobbying effort through a group calling itself "Citizens in Action" (CIA). The urban areas, influenced by decades of organized labour activities , wished to see the unionized CBRPS take over the RCMP's duties across CBRM and this ultimately was the policy adopted.
Fire
Fire services for the CBRM are provided by the Cape Breton Regional Fire Service which consists of 36 fire stations dispersed throughout the municipality; urban stations are staffed by career firefighters whereas rural stations are staffed by volunteers.
Ambulance
Ambulance service in the CBRM is provided by the provincial government's Emergency Health Services
Emergency Health Services
Emergency Health Services is an agency of the Department of Health in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.All ground ambulance and air ambulance service in Nova Scotia is contracted by EHS to EMC Emergency Medical Care Inc., a subsidiary of Medavie EMS Inc...
.
Emergency Measures Organization
The provincial Emergency Measures Act requires each municipality to develop an emergency measures organization. The CBRM has passed the Emergency Measures By-Law C2 which enables the CBRM Emergency Plan and allows the provincial Emergency Measures Organization (a division of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources) to maintain it. The CBRM EMO By-Law provides the following:: EMO Advisory Committee, Emergency Measures Coordinator, and an Emergency Preparedness Planning Committee.
Former cities and towns
- SydneySydney, Nova ScotiaSydney is a Canadian urban community in the province of Nova Scotia. It is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and is administratively part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
- DominionDominion, Nova ScotiaDominion is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.It is located immediately west of the larger centre of Glace Bay....
- Glace Bay
- New WaterfordNew Waterford, Nova ScotiaNew Waterford is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-Geography:New Waterford is located north of Sydney and northwest of Glace Bay. It is named after the city of Waterford, in Ireland. It is located near the ocean and is bordered on one side by cliffs...
- North SydneyNorth Sydney, Nova ScotiaNorth Sydney is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.Located on the north side of Sydney Harbour, along the eastern coast of Cape Breton Island, North Sydney is an important port in Atlantic Canada as it is the western terminus of the Marine Atlantic ferry service...
- Sydney Mines
- LouisbourgLouisbourg, Nova ScotiaLouisbourg is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-History:The town's name was given by French military forces who founded the Fortress of Louisbourg and its fortified seaport on the southwest part of the harbour, in honour of Louis XV...
Communities
- Albert BridgeAlbert Bridge, Nova ScotiaAlbert Bridge is a Canadian rural community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.Situated on the Mira River, the community was previously named Mira Ferry for the location of a small ferry crossing the river...
- Alder PointAlder Point, Nova ScotiaAlder Point is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-References:*...
- Barachois HarbourBarachois Harbour, Nova ScotiaBarachois Harbour is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Beaver CoveBeaver Cove, Nova ScotiaBeaver Cove is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-References:*...
- BenacadieBenacadie, Nova ScotiaBenacadie is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-References:*...
- Ben EoinBen Eoin, Nova ScotiaBen Eoin is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-References:*...
- Big BeachBig Beach, Nova ScotiaBig Beach is a community located on the north side of the Boisdale Hills on the east side of the Great Bras D'Or Lake on Provincial Route 223, which runs from Leitches Creek to Little Narrows, through Central Cape Breton Island in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia...
- Big PondBig Pond, Nova ScotiaBig Pond is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada on the south shore of Bras d'Or Lake. Big Pond is approximately in the center between the communities of St...
- Birch GroveBirch Grove, Nova ScotiaBirch Grove is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- BoisdaleBoisdale, Nova ScotiaBoisdale is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- CataloneCatalone, Nova ScotiaCatalone is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Christmas IslandChristmas Island, Nova ScotiaChristmas Island, Nova Scotia is a community of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Canada. It has a post office, a firehall and a very small population. The post office of Christmas Island gets postcards from around the world during Christmas time so they can get the...
- CoxheathCoxheath, Nova ScotiaCoxheath is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton County. The community is home to Riverview Rural High School, a secondary school housing approximately 1000 students.-References:*...
- Boularderie IslandDalem Lake, Nova ScotiaDalem Lake is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.It is located on Boularderie Island and is the location of Dalem Lake Provincial Park....
- DominionDominion, Nova ScotiaDominion is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.It is located immediately west of the larger centre of Glace Bay....
- DonkinDonkin, Nova ScotiaDonkin is a Canadian rural village on the picturesque coastline of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island. The smaller communities of Port Caledonia and Schooner Pond are directly adjacent to the village proper, connected by a single strip of road called the Donkin Highway.The people of Donkin are...
- East BayEast Bay, Nova ScotiaEast Bay is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island. It is located on the south side of the Bras d'Or Lakes, with one public beach and many, many, summer cottages with beach front property...
- EnonEnon, Nova ScotiaEnon is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- FlorenceFlorence, Nova ScotiaFlorence is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada. The community is located north of Highway 105 and west of Sydney Mines.-History:...
- GabarusGabarus, Nova ScotiaGabarus is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. It was an important fisheries center with a cannery until the mid-20th century. Today, it is sustained by tourism and small-scale commercial fishing, including lobster.-References:*...
- Gabarus LakeGabarus Lake, Nova ScotiaGabarus Lake is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-References:*...
- Gardiner MinesGardiner Mines, Nova ScotiaGardiner Mines is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Georges RiverGeorges River, Nova ScotiaGeorges River is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Glace BayGlace Bay, Nova ScotiaGlace Bay is a community in the eastern part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. It forms part of the general area referred to as Industrial Cape Breton....
- Grand Lake RoadGrand Lake Road, Nova ScotiaGrand Lake Road is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The community is a retail service area of Cape Breton hosting the Mayflower Mall and several other outlets. Cape Breton University is also located in the community.-References:*...
- Grand NarrowsGrand Narrows, Nova ScotiaGrand Narrows is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is at 45°57′24″ N, 60°47′32″ W.-Origin of name:...
- HillsideHillside, Nova ScotiaHillside is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The community holds the status of designated place in Canadian census data, and had a population of 188 in the Canada 2006 Census....
- HomevilleHomeville, Nova ScotiaHomeville is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-References:*...
- Hornes RoadHornes Road, Nova ScotiaMira Gut is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Howie CentreHowie Centre, Nova ScotiaHowie Centre is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Leitches CreekLeitches Creek, Nova ScotiaLeitches Creek is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- LinganLingan, Nova ScotiaLingan is a Canadian suburban community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.Lingan is located on the shore of the Cabot Strait, northeast from Sydney, east of New Waterford and northwest of Glace Bay....
- Little Bras d'OrLittle Bras d'Or, Nova ScotiaLittle Bras d'Or is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Countyon Cape Breton County.-References:*...
- LouisbourgLouisbourg, Nova ScotiaLouisbourg is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-History:The town's name was given by French military forces who founded the Fortress of Louisbourg and its fortified seaport on the southwest part of the harbour, in honour of Louis XV...
- Main-à-DieuMain-à-Dieu, Nova ScotiaMain-à-Dieu is a community located in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.A fishing village, its coordinates are 46°00'N, 59°51'W...
- Marion BridgeMarion Bridge, Nova ScotiaMarion Bridge is a Canadian rural community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.The community is named for the eponymous bridge that crosses the Mira River; Marion Bridge being approximately mid-way between the river's source in Grand Mira and its discharge point at Mira Gut...
- Middle CapeMiddle Cape, Nova ScotiaMiddle Cape is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Mira RoadMira Road, Nova ScotiaMira Road is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton County.Located immediately east of Sydney, and now joined with Sydney as part of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Mira Road was originally built in the 18th century by French military forces from Fortress Louisbourg...
- New VictoriaNew Victoria, Nova ScotiaNew Victoria is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.New Victoria is located west of New Waterford and east of Victoria Mines. It is approximately 10 kilometres north of Sydney....
- New WaterfordNew Waterford, Nova ScotiaNew Waterford is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-Geography:New Waterford is located north of Sydney and northwest of Glace Bay. It is named after the city of Waterford, in Ireland. It is located near the ocean and is bordered on one side by cliffs...
- North SydneyNorth Sydney, Nova ScotiaNorth Sydney is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.Located on the north side of Sydney Harbour, along the eastern coast of Cape Breton Island, North Sydney is an important port in Atlantic Canada as it is the western terminus of the Marine Atlantic ferry service...
- Point AconiPoint Aconi, Nova ScotiaPoint Aconi is a rural community in Nova Scotia at the northeastern tip of Boularderie Island. It derives its name from the headland of the same name, Point Aconi....
- Port MorienPort Morien, Nova ScotiaPort Morien is a small fishing community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the north eastern tip of Cape Breton Island near the rural community Donkin, and the larger center of Glace Bay....
- Reserve MinesReserve Mines, Nova ScotiaReserve Mines is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.It is located immediately west of Glace Bay and 10 kilometres northeast of Sydney. The J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport is located in the western part of the community...
- Round IslandRound Island, Nova ScotiaRound Island is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Salem RoadSalem Road, Nova ScotiaSalem Road is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Salmon River RoadSalmon River Road, Nova ScotiaSalmon River Road is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- ShunacadieShunacadie, Nova ScotiaShunacadie is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island....
- ScotchtownScotchtown, Nova ScotiaScotchtown is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality of Nova Scotia, Canada.The community is located immediately south of New Waterford.-References:*...
- South BarSouth Bar, Nova ScotiaSouth Bar is a small community near Sydney, Nova Scotia. The South Bar Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1982.-References:**...
- SydneySydney, Nova ScotiaSydney is a Canadian urban community in the province of Nova Scotia. It is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and is administratively part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
- Sydney ForksSydney Forks, Nova ScotiaSydney Forks is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Sydney MinesSydney Mines, Nova ScotiaSydney Mines is a former town in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.Founded in 1784 and incorporated as a town in 1889, Sydney Mines has a rich history in coal production, although mining activity has now ceased.Prior to a permanent settlement being established, there was significant...
- Sydney RiverSydney River, Nova ScotiaSydney River is a community in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Regional Municipality.- Location :The community is located at the southern end of Sydney Harbour's South Arm at the mouth of the Sydney River, from which it derives its name.Sydney River is at the interchange between Highway 125 and Trunk....
- Trout BrookTrout Brook, Nova ScotiaTrout Brook is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- Victoria BridgeVictoria Bridge, Nova ScotiaVictoria Bridge is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on Cape Breton Island.-References:*...
- WestmountWestmount, Nova ScotiaWestmount is a community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.-Geography:Located on the west bank of the Sydney River at the point where Sydney Harbour begins, Westmount faces Sydney's downtown. Neighbouring communities include Point Edward, Coxheath and Edwardsville...
Access Routes
Highways and numbered routes that run through the county, including external routes that start or finish at the county limits:- Highways
}
}
}
- Trunk Routes
}
}
}
- Collector Routes:
}
}
}
}
}
- External Routes:
- None
External links
- Cape Breton Regional Municipality - Official Website
- Cape Breton Regional Police Services
- Cape Breton local
- Photographs of historic monuments in Cape Breton Regional Municipality