Province of Cape Breton Island
Encyclopedia
Province of Cape Breton Island is a political movement which calls for the re-establishment of the Province of Cape Breton Island
to be governed separately from the Province of Nova Scotia
.
There have been other movements for the re-establishment of the Province
of Cape Breton Island
before this one but the most recent commenced in February 2000 when a meeting in Baddeck led by Scott MacLean of Sydney, Nova Scotia
, was attended by about 200 Cape Bretoners seeking to form their own province or invoking some form of political change in response to an economy in crisis on the island.http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/02/21/nsseparate000220.html A subsequent meeting was held on Remembrance Day
, November 11, 2000, in Sydney with about 300 attending including local officials and politicians e.g. Gerald Sampson, Kenzie MacNeil
, Fraser Morrison, and Danny Hanson.http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2000/02/19/capebreton000219.html The meetings also drew the attention of Senators Bernard Boudreau and Lowell Murray
who raised the matter on the floor of the Canadian Senate with no decision or action being taken.http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/2/parlbus/chambus/senate/deb-e/030db_2000-02-22-E.htm?Language=E&Parl=36&Ses=2#0.2.W54BJ2.MERRJT.NOH6PH.AG
The movement continued throughout 2000 and 2001 with Cape Breton University
hosting a series of meetings. CBU's initiative set forth that one of the initial steps in the process of greater independence and self-reliance for Cape Breton Island is to look at the jurisdictional power held within CBI's Municipal Governments and find ways to augment and leverage it for economic growth. To that end the Cape Breton Island Branch of the North Atlantic Island Program [NAIP(CBI)], hosted by the Community Economic Development (CED) Institute, held meetings at Cape Breton University over the year focusing on the relationship between jurisdictional authority and self-reliant economic development. The meetings were attended by local leaders and politicians including; Wendy MacDonald, Vince MacLean, Dr. Gertrude MacIntyre, Director, CED Institute, Mayor Billy Joe MacLean, Donnie Rowe, John R MacDonald, Craig Pollett, Bill Stirling, Scott Dawe, and John Whalley.http://www.cbu.ca/ced/CED-Institute/news/june2001.htm
During 2001–2002 discussions and meetings on the topic of Cape Breton Island's governance continued and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality led by Mayor John Morgan commissioned Memorial University of Newfoundland
to independently study the governance and economic crisis on Cape Breton Island for problem identification and a possible solution set. The study by Dr. Wade Locke and Dr. Stephen Tomblin was completed October 21, 2003.http://www.cbrm.ns.ca/portal/documents/GovernanceStudyReport.pdfhttp://www.cbrm.ns.ca/portal/civic/council/studies_reports/PDF/GovernanceStudy_Presentation.pdf
The study found that the depopulation and de-economization of Cape Breton Island would continue if the status quo was maintained. The study indicated that Cape Breton Island is paying the Province of Nova Scotia based on the 2002 fiscal year an excess of $12 million annually in taxation versus the expenditures it receives in return from Nova Scotia.
In May 2005 a further study supporting governance and economic issues on Cape Breton Island was completed by Dr.Paul Hobson (Department of Economics, Acadia University
), Dr. David Cameron (Department of Political Science, Dalhousie University
) and Dr. Wade Locke (formerly of Memorial University), entitled "A Question of Balance—An Assessment of the State of Local Government in Nova Scotia", Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Report, May 24, 2005.http://www.cbrm.ns.ca/portal/civic/council/studies_reports/documents/FAIRandEQUITABLEFUNDINGPROJECTREPORT--FINAL.pdf
In response to the findings of these studies Mayor John Morgan and Cape Breton Regional Municipality (Cape Breton Island's largest municipal government) commenced discussions and negotiations with the Province of Nova Scotia which after failure by Nova Scotia to recognize CBRM's complaints resulted in the filing of a law suit by CBRM against the Province of Nova Scotia for what it claims are arbitrary and capricious fiscal improprieties—to the tune of $12 million per year.
In November 2006 the popular support for the movement was rekindled by Mark MacNeill of Mabou, Nova Scotia
, who responded to federal House of Commons' Québécois nation motion
recognizing "that the Québécois form a nation within a united Canada" by advocating that Cape Breton Island is also irrefutably a distinct society and as such should be recognized as a province within a province with a devolutionary view to re-establishing the island as its own independent province and as the 11th province within Canada. Although the movement is in its infancy with only about 60 members, prominent members of the community have come out in support of the movement including mayor John W. Morgan, Anna Curtis-Steele, Maury McCrillis and Brian Joseph, PhD.(Harvard).
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island is an island on the Atlantic coast of North America. It likely corresponds to the word Breton, the French demonym for Brittany....
to be governed separately from the Province of 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...
.
There have been other movements for the re-establishment of the Province
Province
A province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state.-Etymology:The English word "province" is attested since about 1330 and derives from the 13th-century Old French "province," which itself comes from the Latin word "provincia," which referred to...
of Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island
Cape Breton Island is an island on the Atlantic coast of North America. It likely corresponds to the word Breton, the French demonym for Brittany....
before this one but the most recent commenced in February 2000 when a meeting in Baddeck led by Scott MacLean of Sydney, Nova Scotia
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....
, was attended by about 200 Cape Bretoners seeking to form their own province or invoking some form of political change in response to an economy in crisis on the island.http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/02/21/nsseparate000220.html A subsequent meeting was held on Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
, November 11, 2000, in Sydney with about 300 attending including local officials and politicians e.g. Gerald Sampson, Kenzie MacNeil
Kenzie MacNeil
Kenzie MacNeil is a Canadian songwriter, performer, producer and director in television, film, radio and stage, and a former Conservative Party of Canada candidate....
, Fraser Morrison, and Danny Hanson.http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2000/02/19/capebreton000219.html The meetings also drew the attention of Senators Bernard Boudreau and Lowell Murray
Lowell Murray
Lowell Murray, PC is a former Canadian senator and long-time activist with the federal Progressive Conservative Party.-Education:...
who raised the matter on the floor of the Canadian Senate with no decision or action being taken.http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/2/parlbus/chambus/senate/deb-e/030db_2000-02-22-E.htm?Language=E&Parl=36&Ses=2#0.2.W54BJ2.MERRJT.NOH6PH.AG
The movement continued throughout 2000 and 2001 with 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....
hosting a series of meetings. CBU's initiative set forth that one of the initial steps in the process of greater independence and self-reliance for Cape Breton Island is to look at the jurisdictional power held within CBI's Municipal Governments and find ways to augment and leverage it for economic growth. To that end the Cape Breton Island Branch of the North Atlantic Island Program [NAIP(CBI)], hosted by the Community Economic Development (CED) Institute, held meetings at Cape Breton University over the year focusing on the relationship between jurisdictional authority and self-reliant economic development. The meetings were attended by local leaders and politicians including; Wendy MacDonald, Vince MacLean, Dr. Gertrude MacIntyre, Director, CED Institute, Mayor Billy Joe MacLean, Donnie Rowe, John R MacDonald, Craig Pollett, Bill Stirling, Scott Dawe, and John Whalley.http://www.cbu.ca/ced/CED-Institute/news/june2001.htm
During 2001–2002 discussions and meetings on the topic of Cape Breton Island's governance continued and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality led by Mayor John Morgan commissioned Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
to independently study the governance and economic crisis on Cape Breton Island for problem identification and a possible solution set. The study by Dr. Wade Locke and Dr. Stephen Tomblin was completed October 21, 2003.http://www.cbrm.ns.ca/portal/documents/GovernanceStudyReport.pdfhttp://www.cbrm.ns.ca/portal/civic/council/studies_reports/PDF/GovernanceStudy_Presentation.pdf
The study found that the depopulation and de-economization of Cape Breton Island would continue if the status quo was maintained. The study indicated that Cape Breton Island is paying the Province of Nova Scotia based on the 2002 fiscal year an excess of $12 million annually in taxation versus the expenditures it receives in return from Nova Scotia.
In May 2005 a further study supporting governance and economic issues on Cape Breton Island was completed by Dr.Paul Hobson (Department of Economics, Acadia University
Acadia University
Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...
), Dr. David Cameron (Department of Political Science, Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
) and Dr. Wade Locke (formerly of Memorial University), entitled "A Question of Balance—An Assessment of the State of Local Government in Nova Scotia", Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Report, May 24, 2005.http://www.cbrm.ns.ca/portal/civic/council/studies_reports/documents/FAIRandEQUITABLEFUNDINGPROJECTREPORT--FINAL.pdf
In response to the findings of these studies Mayor John Morgan and Cape Breton Regional Municipality (Cape Breton Island's largest municipal government) commenced discussions and negotiations with the Province of Nova Scotia which after failure by Nova Scotia to recognize CBRM's complaints resulted in the filing of a law suit by CBRM against the Province of Nova Scotia for what it claims are arbitrary and capricious fiscal improprieties—to the tune of $12 million per year.
In November 2006 the popular support for the movement was rekindled by Mark MacNeill of Mabou, Nova Scotia
Mabou, Nova Scotia
Mabou -Mȧbu is a small Canadian rural community located in Inverness County on the west coast of Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island. The population in 2001 was 1,289 residents....
, who responded to federal House of Commons' Québécois nation motion
Québécois nation motion
The Québécois nation motion was a parliamentary motion tabled by Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 and approved by the Canadian House of Commons on Monday, November 27, 2006...
recognizing "that the Québécois form a nation within a united Canada" by advocating that Cape Breton Island is also irrefutably a distinct society and as such should be recognized as a province within a province with a devolutionary view to re-establishing the island as its own independent province and as the 11th province within Canada. Although the movement is in its infancy with only about 60 members, prominent members of the community have come out in support of the movement including mayor John W. Morgan, Anna Curtis-Steele, Maury McCrillis and Brian Joseph, PhD.(Harvard).