Candidates differ on how to boost business in Port Hawkesbury

Business growth is emerging as a key topic for the candidates running for Port Hawkesbury town council in the Oct. 19 municipal election, but they're taking different approaches on how to bring more jobs to the town.

The latest roundtable for CBC's Cape Breton Information Morning series featured three of the seven people vying for four council seats. They presented a variety of strategies, from attracting large industries to assisting small businesses, as well as collaborating with nearby municipalities and economic development groups. 

With a population of 3,000, Port Hawkesbury is known as a bedroom community for heavy industries located in nearby Point Tupper, including two companies now pursuing green hydrogen and renewable energy development.

Incumbent Mark MacIver, who oversees a municipal committee for the industrial park the town shares with Richmond County, feels a collaborative approach can strengthen the town's hand in industrial growth.

"If there's something coming to this area that we can speak on together, it's a stronger voice going to the provincial government or Ottawa," said MacIver, who has sat on town council for a combined 20 years. 

'We don't want to stifle business'

First-time Port Hawkesbury council candidates Donald MacDonald and Todd Barrett come at the issue from different backgrounds. MacDonald, the town's volunteer fire chief, is now retired but still offers consulting services in the Strait area, while Barrett operates a Hyundai dealership in Port Hawkesbury Business Park. 

"Running a business for the past 23 years gives me good strength, not just in handling the financials, but also working with people," Barrett said. 

"We don't want to stifle business — we want to help business to grow. That attracts more people to the area, plus it creates more employment for the area, and that's [helpful] for people who want to move here and to stay here."

Economic roundtable pitched 

MacDonald sits on the town's economic development and housing committee. He pitched partnerships with Richmond County, the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Breton Partnership, which has an economic development officer who oversees the town and the county. 

"I feel we've got to … have a roundtable discussion on bringing business to the community," MacDonald said. 

"What do we do? Is it TV advertising? Is it a brochure? Do we bring people to these areas and show them what we have, or have them visit us? Or do we put together some kind of proposal so they can look at us?" 

Rezoning arises as business-friendly possibility

MacIver and Barrett both suggested that changes to Port Hawkesbury's land-use bylaws and zoning strategies could also result in a friendlier business climate. Meanwhile, MacDonald spoke of his own business background as an example of the versatility needed to attract a wide array of companies to the region.

"I've owned and operated my own business … I've worked with union and non-union contracts, and with some major companies," MacDonald said. "I've seen a lot."

Also running for Port Hawkesbury town council are incumbent Blaine MacQuarrie, second-time candidate Paula Hart, and first-time candidates Iaian Langley and Michael Currie. They were featured in a previous candidate roundtable for the Information Morning series.

Brenda Chisholm-Beaton is seeking her third term as the town's mayor. Her challengers are paper mill union president Archie MacLachlan, who ran against Chisholm-Beaton in 2020, and current town councillor Jason Aucoin. 

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