CBRM News

Marie Walsh appointed CAO of Cape Breton Regional Municipality

July 17, 2017

Cape Breton Regional Municipality Council has appointed Marie Walsh to the position of Chief Administrative Officer.

Walsh has served as the Municipality’s Chief Financial Officer since 2014. She joined the Municipality as the Director of Finance in 2007. Walsh is a Certified General Accountant. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from St. Francis Xavier University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Cape Breton University.

Walsh, originally from Ashby but now residing in Westmount, is the Regional Municipality’s third Chief Administrative Officer since amalgamation in 1995.

Walsh says she looking forward to the challenges the position presents.

“I’m looking forward to making a positive contribution to my community through this leadership role with a commitment to ensure transparency and open communication with the public,” said Walsh. “Along with Council, my team and I are working very hard to create a more stable economic environment, including our efforts around commercializing the port, tax reform and new infrastructure investments.”

Walsh’s guidance on the Municipality’s fiscal matters have helped the municipality achieve a significant reduction of debt in recent years. The municipality’s debt declined by 30 percent, from almost $110 million in 2010 to $76 million this year.

Mayor Cecil Clarke has worked closely with Walsh since becoming Mayor in 2012.

“Marie’s thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality position her well to lead,” said Clarke. “Her advice on many of our key files has been essential and the organization is operating more efficiently. On behalf of Council, we are pleased that she has accepted our invitation to serve as CAO.”

The appointment is effective immediately. The annual salary for the position is $194,750.