Questions raised about whether former N.S. premier was lobbying for new golf course

Tom Ayers CBC News - Nov. 21, 2022 Full article published here

Former Nova Scotia premier Rodney MacDonald says he was not lobbying when he contacted provincial politicians about a proposed golf course for West Mabou Beach Provincial Park. (CBC)

Former Nova Scotia premier Rodney MacDonald says he is not lobbying the provincial government on behalf of a private golf course developer.

He is not listed on the provincial registry of lobbyists, but he has contacted all three party leaders in the legislature about a proposed 18-hole course on protected lands at West Mabou Beach Provincial Park.

... MacDonald said he is being paid by Cabot Cape Breton to gauge public opinion in Mabou about the possibility of a new course being built and to advise the developer on the results.

...A spokesman for the registry confirmed that MacDonald was not on the list, but declined an interview request and declined to say whether the former premier's activities amounted to lobbying.

"I think that we want to make sure that when people, particularly prominent community people advancing financial and corporate interests, are reaching out to leaders of parties, to the premier in particular, that we have a record of that." - NDP Leader Claudia Chender

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