Public discourse is important for any democracy. Recently, Doug Foster, LPPANS posted a letter in the Cape Breton Post with a series of questions for would-be councillors. Here are my answers.
1. What are your top three priorities from those listed on the CBRM website? Where does a new library fit if not in the top three?
I don’t believe any one issue takes priority over another; each is crucial to the CBRM’s future success. The CBRM needs a new economic engine to drive us forward into the next decade. While we can make progress on our own, we’d be far more effective with support from the provincial government. Our recreation facilities are aging, and the debate over a new central library has dragged on since the days of former Mayor John Morgan. I’ve been clear on my stance: we need a brand-new facility, not just a renovation (linked here). However, our top priority must be building a productive, cooperative relationship with the province, rather than fostering a hostile one. This collaboration is essential to the Nova Scotia Equalization Fairness group’s mission of securing equitable funding for the CBRM and other municipalities. With increased funding, we can lower property taxes, invest in infrastructure, and enhance the beauty of our community. Our first priority should be getting our finances under control. Once that’s achieved, we can move forward with investments in a new central library, the C200 expansion, and waterfront developments.
2. How do you propose to use the experienced and qualified staff at CBRM to build alternate solutions to these many issues, including a site for a new library? Rather than outsource to consultants, why not ask staff through the CBRM to come up with alternate solutions, based on information which CBRM has developed and used to solve similar problems? Obviously, council is the final decision maker, but it makes sense for council to utilize the data and resource staff and robust GIS data on municipal services, land use, assessment and other spatial data to contribute to a process to find an appropriate site for the library.
As part of my campaign, I advocate for utilizing our skilled staff instead of outsourcing, particularly in areas like public works and information technology. While our staff can’t handle everything, leveraging their expertise where possible can drastically reduce project costs, saving taxpayers hundreds of dollars. These savings could be passed on through lower property taxes. By empowering our internal team to contribute to these projects, we can reduce the need for costly outside consultants, speed up decision-making, and ensure the solutions are tailored to the needs of our community
3. CBRM, as well as all of Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island), has a long history of Mi’kmaq settlement. How would you as municipal person strengthen and give meaning to reconciliation including Indigenous leadership and friendship? It makes sense to ask for the help and leadership of our Indigenous communities. We are all stronger working together, even if our priorities may differ.
In the past decade, Indigenous communities across the CBRM have seen significant investment and development, often outpacing non-indigenous. It’s essential that we work together to preserve our unique communities and cultures while creating new economic opportunities that benefit everyone. Collaboration is key, and both CBRM Council and Indigenous governments must meet regularly in roundtable discussions. By working together, we can achieve greater strength and success for all.
4. How would you strengthen and further cooperation with other communities on Unima’ki? How would you foster cooperation and respect with all of residents of Cape Breton Island? How would you seek cooperation and friendship with the other municipalities on Cape Breton Island?
Establishing an open-door policy within the CBRM is essential. Collaboration between Indigenous communities, municipalities, and the province is not only vital for democracy but also for the well-being of our residents. Every level of government shares a common goal: to serve the people. When we work against each other, it’s the residents who suffer. Teamwork is the key to positive outcomes.
To foster cooperation and respect with all Cape Bretoners, I would prioritize inclusive decision-making. This means actively listening to the concerns of all communities—whether rural or urban—and ensuring everyone has a voice in shaping our future. By promoting cultural exchange and understanding, we can strengthen our shared identity while respecting our unique differences.
In seeking cooperation with other municipalities on Cape Breton Island, I would focus on collaborative projects that benefit the entire region, such as infrastructure improvements, economic development, and environmental stewardship. By working together on these initiatives, we can leverage our collective strengths and create a better future for everyone on the island.
5. Finally, CBRM has reduced citizen involvement in municipal decisions – specifically in the area of heritage preservation, community planning and accessibility. How would you open the doors of the civic center to volunteers who wish to serve their community? Volunteers have kept the new library alive for more than a decade. The days of deals developed without public scrutiny and accountability should be gone. Citizen volunteers can help the elected people make this happen.
Transparency and honesty are two core values I’ve always stood by. A healthy democracy relies on transparency, and that cannot exist without honesty. As a councillor, I would prioritize holding regular town halls to give residents a platform for open dialogue and ensure their voices are heard.
In my role as vice-chair of the Heritage Advisory Committee, I’ve proposed initiatives like an online heritage database and heritage showcases to keep our history alive and integrate it into our daily conversations about new developments. I’m deeply passionate about preserving CBRM’s history and will continue to champion it.
Volunteer groups are the backbone of our community, driving development, events, and engagement. Supporting these organizations, promoting their work, and helping advance their initiatives will remain a key focus for me.
Link to the article – https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/opinion/letter-questions-that-would-be-cbrm-politicians-should-be-asked-100993114/
Kyron Coombes
District 9 Candidate