Battiste Wins Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish, Reacts to Liberal Gains

Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish has a new Member of Parliament: Jaime Battiste. In the April 28 federal election, Battiste secured 24,634 votes, defeating Conservative Allan MacMaster by 3,920 votes, according to unofficial Elections Canada results.

Battiste credited his victory to Liberal leader Mark Carney’s leadership appeal, a sharp decline in NDP support, which dropped to just 4%, and strong backing from the five First Nations communities in the riding.

Nationally, the Liberals secured 169 seats, three shy of a majority. Battiste, who has only served in minority governments, said he wasn’t disappointed. He wasn’t surprised by the Conservatives’ strong showing, with 144 seats and a significant share of the popular vote.

Battiste also noted the importance of neighbouring ridings, celebrating Sean Fraser’s eventual win in Central Nova and Mike Kelloway’s re-election in Sydney-Glace Bay with a 7,788-vote majority. Battiste hasn’t yet spoken to Kelloway since the vote.

With Parliament resuming May 26, Battiste is now organizing his constituency offices.

Solar Garden Project Advances in Richmond County

Solarbank Corporation is moving forward with a Community Solar Garden project near Kempt Road off Highway 4 in western Richmond County. A second proposed project is currently on hold.

Senior Project Coordinator Mila Simon explained the program’s eligibility and benefits, noting upcoming public consultations, including a town hall, online session, and a presentation to Richmond Municipal Council. Simon said the project remains on track for a summer completion.

Funding Announced for Disability Support Initiatives

Sixteen projects across Nova Scotia will receive over $618,000 in provincial funding through the Service Evolution Fund to improve supports for people with disabilities.

Local recipients include Mawita’mk in Inverness County ($19,100) for community engagement focused on Mi’kmaw needs, and The ROC Society and Cape Breton Regional Municipality ($15,955) for service evolution planning.

Students Honoured with Lieutenant Governor’s Medals

Grade 11 students from Richmond Academy and SAERC were awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Education Medals during a ceremony at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre on April 6. Lieutenant Governor Mike Savage presented the medals to Blake Landry, Raya Landry, Miley Hanley, and Allie MacIntyre.

Port Hawkesbury Town Council Talks Tourism, Housing and Support Services

Port Hawkesbury Town Council met on May 6, discussing several pressing issues:

• Tourism Levy Boost: Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton said increasing the tourism marketing levy from 2% to 3% will strengthen local promotion. Destination Cape Breton (DCB) CEO Terry Smith shared that 2024 was a record year for tourism, and early 2025 indicators are even stronger. Smith also noted initiatives to extend visitor stays and develop winter tourism through snowmobiling and ATV trail promotion.

• Leeside Supportive Housing Initiative: Leeside Society Chair Susan Noble proposed purchasing 23 acres on Tamarac Drive to consolidate services like emergency shelter, transitional housing, and family support. The town expressed interest, with CAO Terry Doyle calling the project “very exciting,” though he suggested considering alternative sites as well.

• Improved Services: Council approved revising its vending policy, cutting fees by 40%, and passed a motion urging former MP Mike Kelloway to transfer active files to new MP Jaime Battiste. Councillors will also attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Ottawa to discuss the transition.

• Water Infrastructure Upgrade: Council is applying to the Municipal Innovation Program, partnering with Inverness County to repair the water and wastewater plant using Landrie Lake. The $328,000 project would be 75% provincially funded, with the remaining cost shared by both municipalities.