Latest news with #CecilClarke
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CBRM to ask province for help with cost of cleaning up derelict properties
Cape Breton Regional Municipality plans to ask the province for help cleaning up derelict properties after fires destroyed two structures in Glace Bay last week, underscoring the danger of old, vacant buildings. Officials say the municipality simply can't afford to tackle the large number of properties in CBRM that need attention. "Unfortunately, statistically, I think we are in Nova Scotia the highest per capita with hundreds of vacant properties, dangerous and unsightly, and in the midst of trying to grow, we're trying to deal with some of the blights of the past," Mayor Cecil Clarke said. "The two recent structure fires in Glace Bay just highlighted the impact of abandoned properties and ... what it means to the bottom line." A fire on July 10 took out an empty warehouse next to an active fish plant and several hours later, a separate blaze consumed the former Morrison school, which is surrounded by homes. Clarke said the cost of demolishing the remains of the former school alone is about $300,000, and that's money CBRM likely will not be able to recover from the building owner. According to provincial property records, the building is owned by the non-profit Glace Bay & Area Y's Men & Women's Club. A CBRM spokesperson said the building was up for tax sale with $87,400 in taxes and other costs owing to the municipality. It went to tax sale three times over the last year and was not sold. It was scheduled to go up again later this month with the price reduced to $7,900, which is a year's outstanding taxes. However, whether it makes it to the next tax sale is now in doubt because of the fire. At Tuesday's council meeting, Coun. Dave MacKeigan got unanimous approval from his colleagues to have the mayor reach out to the minister of municipal affairs to seek financial help. There are roughly 400 derelict properties in CBRM. The municipality removes up to 80 a year from the list, but others get added to the list every year, as well. Most are empty homes, but about 10 per cent are large commercial buildings. Others are former school buildings that once belonged to the province — something the Nova Scotia government should bear in mind, said Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald. "We do not have the financial capacity and resources to deal with them, and I think consideration should be given that it was their buildings in the past and it should remain their responsibility," MacDonald said. Clarke said he intends to ask for a meeting with the province as soon as possible. The Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department has been preparing and practising with other departments for at least two years in case of a fire at the former Morrison school. Ten departments responded to the alarm call, providing protection for neighbouring homes. No one was hurt and no other properties were damaged in the fires, but Clarke said the next incident could end in tragedy. "All it would take is a change in wind direction and we could be talking a much larger disaster and a much more pressing discussion with the minister," he said. MORE TOP STORIES
CBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
CBRM to ask province for help with cost of cleaning up derelict properties
Cape Breton Regional Municipality plans to ask the province for help cleaning up derelict properties after fires destroyed two structures in Glace Bay last week, underscoring the danger of old, vacant buildings. Officials say the municipality simply can't afford to tackle the large number of properties in CBRM that need attention. "Unfortunately, statistically, I think we are in Nova Scotia the highest per capita with hundreds of vacant properties, dangerous and unsightly, and in the midst of trying to grow, we're trying to deal with some of the blights of the past," Mayor Cecil Clarke said. "The two recent structure fires in Glace Bay just highlighted the impact of abandoned properties and ... what it means to the bottom line." A fire on July 10 took out an empty warehouse next to an active fish plant and several hours later, a separate blaze consumed the former Morrison school, which is surrounded by homes. Clarke said the cost of demolishing the remains of the former school alone is about $300,000, and that's money CBRM likely will not be able to recover from the building owner. According to provincial property records, the building is owned by the non-profit Glace Bay & Area Y's Men & Women's Club. A CBRM spokesperson said the building was up for tax sale with $87,400 in taxes and other costs owing to the municipality. It went to tax sale three times over the last year and was not sold. It was scheduled to go up again later this month with the price reduced to $7,900, which is a year's outstanding taxes. However, whether it makes it to the next tax sale is now in doubt because of the fire. At Tuesday's council meeting, Coun. Dave MacKeigan got unanimous approval from his colleagues to have the mayor reach out to the minister of municipal affairs to seek financial help. There are roughly 400 derelict properties in CBRM. The municipality removes up to 80 a year from the list, but others get added to the list every year, as well. Most are empty homes, but about 10 per cent are large commercial buildings. Others are former school buildings that once belonged to the province — something that should be kept in mind, said Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald. "We do not have the financial capacity and resources to deal with them, and I think consideration should be given that it was their buildings in the past and it should remain their responsibility," MacDonald said. Clarke said he intends to ask for a meeting with the province as soon as possible. The Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department has been preparing and practising with other departments for at least two years in case of a fire at the former Morrison school. Ten departments responded to the alarm call, providing protection for neighbouring homes. No one was hurt and no other properties were damaged in the fires, but Clarke said the next incident could end in tragedy. "All it would take is a change in wind direction and we could be talking a much larger disaster and a much more pressing discussion with the minister," he said.
CBC
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Provincial policing plan raises more questions than answers for CBRM officials
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is looking for answers after the Nova Scotia government announced last month that it plans to turn the Mounties into a provincial police force. Under a recent policing review report, the province would expand the RCMP's role, make changes to billing and funding for municipal police services, establish a single police records database and create community safety boards to improve civilian oversight. Mayor Cecil Clarke said CBRM will be allowed to continue to operate its regional police force, but it's not clear what that means. In a letter to municipalities with their own forces, Justice Minister Becky Druhan has promised a meeting later this summer. "It says no immediate decision-making, but we have to be thoughtful about now that the report is out, it has very, very specific elements to three key areas, either 100 per cent on your own or, you know, the RCMP model that's in place now, or cost-shared, and what does cost-shared mean?" Clarke said. The province introduced new policing standards last fall and Druhan has indicated that more are on the way. Clarke said Cape Breton Regional Police already meet most of the province's requirements and adding new ones will come at a cost. "It comes down to dollars at the end of the day," he said. "Of course you can establish a new standard, but you have to have the resources to support it." The review was announced about six months after the Mass Casualty Commission released its final report on the shooting rampage in central and northern Nova Scotia that left 22 people dead in April 2020. The RCMP says it's ready to take on an expanded role. Clarke said CBRM's regional police offer a full slate of services and work well with the RCMP in the county where jurisdictions overlap. RCMP also look after policing in Eskasoni First Nation, and Membertou First Nation is policed by CBRM under contract. CBRM gets provincial funding for 19 of its 200 officers. The mayor said he is not sure whether that will continue under the new provincial plan. Clarke said the system seems to be working well overall in Cape Breton and he is eager to find out how the province envisions the new plan making improvements. "We're taking our time to try and literally work our way through that, to put it in context to the Mass Casualty Commission's work and how we as a Cape Breton Regional Municipality and our police service are able to respond effectively." No appetite for return to RCMP He said there's no appetite for returning to the days before amalgamation, when the Mounties policed the entire area. "The question really would be, what does the province think of our service and if they wanted to go in a different direction, what will that mean?" Clarke said. "And if we do go in a different direction that is separate from, for instance, a Cape Breton Regional Police Service model as it is now, it's going to be even more expensive, clearly by many, many millions, than improving what we already have in place. "If there is a desire to change that model, it'll be indicated by the province to us, not by us to the province." More funding needed The province's report suggests the use of community safety officers and special constables. Clarke said CBRM already has officers in schools and bylaw enforcement officers, and any changes or additions to staffing would require more resources. "The public out on the street are asking for more policing capacity and safety and security measures in their community," he said. "We want to meet those up with a realistic model that the province can help us fund." The report also includes the creation of community safety boards, but much of that work is already being done locally, said Coun. Glenn Paruch, who chairs the CBRM's police commission. Paruch, who also sits on a provincial board reviewing police governance, said no one is sure how a community safety board would work or whether the local commission will continue to exist. "That is one question that came up quite often, because we were wondering ourselves, what is our job at the provincial board level if changes like this transpire?" he said. "So as of right now, there's more questions than answers."
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Eligible CBRM residents will soon be able to ride the bus for free
Opportunities and Social Development Minister Scott Armstrong makes an announcement in Sydney Mines, N.S., on July 3, 2025. (Ryan MacDonald/CTV Atlantic) Eligible Nova Scotians living in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality will soon be able to ride public transit for free. Residents on income assistance, along with their spouses and dependents, will receive a free Transit Cape Breton pass under the province's Free Bus Pass Program. Disability Support Program participants are also eligible for the program, which is expected to launch in the fall. 'Having the freedom to move around your community – to get to work, appointments, school, or to simply connect with others – is something many people count on every day,' said Opportunities and Social Development Minister Scott Armstrong in a news release Thursday. 'Through our new community bus pass program, we're working with our partners at CBRM on a solution that gives more people access to reliable public transportation and the freedom and opportunity that come with it.' CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke says the program will remove a financial barrier for many residents who struggle to get around, leading to greater equity in the community. 'Whether it's getting to a job interview, a medical appointment or the grocery store, this program will make everyday life more accessible for those who need it most,' said Clarke. The Free Bus Pass program first launched as a pilot project in the Halifax Regional Municipality in 2018. It became a permanent project in 2021. The province says people who are eligible for the program are not required to provide proof of their transportation needs in order to receive a free bus pass. The Nova Scotia government says about 7,265 people in CBRM are eligible for the program while about 8,900 people are currently using the program in HRM. As for the cost, the province says that will depend on uptake. More information about the program is expected to be released later this summer. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
11-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
CBRM to withhold half of tourism marketing levy to promote large sporting events
The head of a marketing organization representing all of Cape Breton Island says he has serious concerns after the region's largest municipality decided to withhold half of the money it raises through a levy on tourist accommodations. Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillors voted 10-3 at Tuesday's meeting in Sydney, N.S., to keep what could amount to $500,000 or more a year and use that money to promote large sporting events at CBRM facilities. Destination Cape Breton CEO Terry Smith said the change was unexpected. "We're disappointed in the decision, because I don't think the full story was provided to council in terms of the implications of that decision," he said in a telephone interview late Tuesday evening. Smith said he had asked for a meeting with Mayor Cecil Clarke to discuss the matter, but that never happened. The change will reduce the marketing organization's budget by about 20 per cent and will mean budget cuts, including the possibility of staff cuts, and could lead to less effective marketing for the island, Smith said. "I kind of feel like this is taking something that is working and trying to fix it, but it has been working," he said. "We've had major success over the last number of years." All five municipalities on Cape Breton Island levy a three per cent tax on tourist accommodations — including hotels, motels and short-term rentals — and until now have handed over the entire amount to Destination Cape Breton. The agency uses the money to promote tourism around the island and to attract events that will result in more tourist dollars coming into the municipalities. Councillors said Tuesday they are not unhappy with Destination Cape Breton, but they wanted to see more emphasis on attracting large sporting events to CBRM venues. Clarke said the levy is expected to generate over $1 million this year and while CBRM staff can use it to bid on large events, Destination Cape Breton can focus on wider tourism advertising. "That puts a half a million dollars in each organization's pockets to do island-wide marketing and specific events … that are of a larger nature that are focused on our venues and our infrastructure in the CBRM," he said. Clarke said the change is "about finding balance and hopefully a win-win on both sides." Although councillors said they were not "anti-Destination Cape Breton," the mayor said more attention needs to be paid to the island's largest municipality where the largest tourist attractions and accommodations already exist. "There hasn't been that focus on our facilities within the CBRM, specifically our signature ones," Clarke said. Smith said Destination Cape Breton has had a hand in attracting events such as the world women's curling championship, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian women's curling championship, the Canada Soccer U17 national championships, the Mobility Cup international regatta for sailors with disabilities, Nova Scotia Music Week and more. He said if the other island municipalities decide to carve out separate deals, the fragmentation of marketing dollars could make it more difficult to successfully attract tourists. "We don't know where that is all going to go," Smith said. "We're going to have discussions with folks and hopefully everybody will stay onside, but nothing is a guarantee and that really wasn't considered in this decision by CBRM." Councillors Steve Gillespie, Steve Parsons and Kim Sheppard-Campbell voted against the motion to approve the change. Parsons said the item was only added to the agenda on Monday and he wasn't happy making a major decision with so little notice. He also asked questions about the amount of money under discussion and whether CBRM would hire someone to attract events. Recreation director Kirk Durning said he didn't have exact numbers on hand but the levy brought in just under $900,000 last year and staff could handle the work in-house. Parsons also said he wanted to know what the impact would be on Destination Cape Breton. "I think these decisions are important and they should be taken [with] all the time and consideration and having everybody in the room to answer all the pertinent questions," Parsons said. Gillespie and Sheppard-Campbell also wanted to hear from the marketing organization and while two staff members were in the gallery for the afternoon meeting, they were not invited to speak. 'Dialogue has been evolving,' Clarke says They later declined to comment to reporters, saying the CEO was the official spokesperson. Smith said he was on business in Alberta and flew into Sydney airport at 7 p.m. Clarke said he and staff had been discussing the change in financing for months and the matter had even been raised by the previous administration, so Destination Cape Breton should not have been surprised. He said the growth in marketing funds from room taxes presented an opportunity for CBRM to take some of the burden off taxpayers. "This has been a dialogue that's been evolving, but also the amount of revenue has been increasing, which has changed quite frankly the opportunity for both, to maintain stability and a funding stream for Destination Cape Breton and also provide money specific to destination marketing directly within Sydney and the CBRM."
