A statement released last week from the Rural Economic Development minister’s Ottawa office announced the cancellation of a review of a proposal by the owners of two Nova Scotia golf courses, Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, to build an airport near Inverness, N.S.

The statement cited the lack of information on how the proposed, $18 million airport would serve the needs of Cape Breton residents.

“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,” read the statement.

The proposal had raised plenty of controversy, with many residents saying that the airport would only cater to the wealthy who want to fly in for their golf vacations. Port Hawkesbury, which has an airport that is located about an hour away from the proposed site of the new one, was afraid a new airport near Inverness would make theirs economically unsustainable.

“I think it’s wonderful news…for all of Inverness County,” said Inverness County councillor and Port Hawkesbury airport committee member John Dowling to the CBC after learning of the federal government cancelling the review.

The mayor of Port Hawkesbury says that the whole island of Cape Breton should be involved in discussions of air 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,” said mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton.

The provincial share of the project was to be around $8.5 million.

photo courtesy of Cabot Links