CBRM News

Mayor seeks meeting with Premier, Regional Minister on Cape Breton economy

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Created: Sunday, 10 March 2013 10:07

March 10, 2013

SYDNEY, NS – New employment numbers released Friday are a "wake up call" says Mayor Cecil Clarke, and he is seeking a meeting with Premier Darrell Dexter and Minister Peter MacKay to move forward on a new plan for the CBRM.

Cape Breton's unemployment rate is at 17.5 per cent. According to Statistics Canada, there were 48,600 people employed in Cape Breton and 10,300 people looking for work, compared to 52,700 employed and 8,600 unemployed a year ago.

"If we are to avoid and avert an economic crisis, we need to address the operating requirements of the municipality and economic development opportunities," said Clarke. He pointed out that the CBRM is the only city in Atlantic Canada with double digit unemployment, a situation he believes will be of great concern to the Premier and Regional Minister.

The Mayor, on his way to New York on Sunday for meetings regarding port development, says the Municipality is making every effort to pursue economic opportunities for the region. He says the region needs the support of the provincial and federal governments to move forward with the five-year, $300 million capital plan to stabilize the municipality's operations.

"We are prepared to do our part, with $75 million over five years on the table. Our plan calls for matching funds from the province, and as a provincial priority, matching funds from the Government of Canada," said Clarke.

More information on the CBRM's five-year capital plan is available here: http://www.cbrm.ns.ca/cbrm-$300-million-capital-plan.html

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