Ottawa rejects proposal for Inverness airport, says more details needed

The federal minister of Rural Economic Development has cancelled a review of a proposed airport near Inverness, N.S.

A spokesperson for Minister Bernadette Jordan's office said in an emailed statement that the department did not have enough information to show how the airport would respond to Cape Breton's needs.

The airport, pitched by the owners of the Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs golf courses, would be located on Crown land about five kilometres northeast of Inverness, and would largely serve the golf courses.

"The project will not receive approval until such time the proponent can submit a revised proposal which would clearly demonstrate how the proposed airport would improve the quality of life for residents in those communities," said the statement.

Jordan was travelling on Thursday and was not available for comment.

Proponents said the airport would cost about $18 million, to be split between the provincial and federal governments.

On Thursday, Premier Stephen McNeil said the province's share would be about $8.5 million.

Later in the day, the premier's office issued a statement saying if Ottawa decides to conduct a future review of the proposal, the province would be willing to participate in a study on air access in Cape Breton that could benefit the rural economy and create jobs.

Concerns about existing airport

The proposal raised controversy, as opponents said it would cater to a specific clientele rather than bring in visitors to destinations across the island.

John Dowling, an Inverness County councillor and member of the Port Hawkesbury airport committee, said the Allan J. MacEachen airport, located only about an hour away from the proposed site, would have been threatened by the new airport.

Dowling said he's pleased with the minister's decision.

"I think it's wonderful news for the Allan J. airport here in Port Hastings and wonderful news I think for all of Inverness County," he said.

Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton said she's also happy with the news, but said it's an indication that "there's a lot more homework left to do."

She said there needs to be an island-wide discussion about air infrastructure and building tourism.

"I think there is a realization that if we want to grow our region … that people and elected officials in particular are really cognizant of needing to work together, needing to be collaborative, and the proposal that was being considered really wasn't that," she said.

Chisholm-Beaton said she has asked municipal, provincial and federal representatives to meet with the proponents to discuss how to avoid pitting one community against another.

The Allan J. MacEachen airport does not handle scheduled flights, catering instead to private flights and flights operated by government departments.

Last year, the company that operates the airport, Celtic Air Services, said three-quarters of its 1,000 flights contained passengers visiting golf courses in Cape Breton.

'An incredible sense of momentum'

Ben Cowan-Dewar, co-owner of Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs golf courses, said in a statement he believes in the tourism potential of western Cape Breton and said there's "an incredible sense of momentum" about the area.

"We are confident in what Inverness and Cape Breton offers the world, and that there is more we can do to bring people here to experience the culture and people," the statement said. "We are focused on ways to unlock its potential and help us continue to build for the future."

Supporters of the proposal say the new airport would introduce scheduled commercial flights to the area, which would attract more visitors.

The group lobbying for the airport, Build Cape Breton, says the project could create 600 indirect and direct full-time jobs and contribute $6.4 million in taxes in the first five years.