Document about Sydney full of errors

Recently, I came across some printed information about Sydney that has left me shaking my head.

For instance, this document states that Sydney has a population of 8,800. Even with the population decline I never imagined it was this low, especially when recent Stats Canada numbers show it has a population of almost 30,000.

As well, it states that Sydney “... acts as a major industrial hub for the rest of Atlantic Canada.” What a surprise considering our steel plant has been closed for many years now.

The handout, which was found on a downtown sidewalk two weeks ago shows Sydney “at a glance” and also notes that the capital of Sydney is Halifax.

I assume it is being distributed by a cruise ship line because the name of the line appears on the street map included in the handout.

In addition to the incorrect information it is providing to visitors the handout fails to mention several things like the large craft market in the Cruise Pavilion as being a great place to buy local.

It also fails to make note of the existence of Sydney’s downtown shopping district – the street map included with the handout doesn’t even show a downtown area. Instead, it notes that “Sydney River is just south of central Sydney and is a rich and vibrant shopping district.”

Our beautiful Wentworth Park doesn’t even get a mention.

I would think that someone with the Sydney Port Authority, or in the downtown development group, or anywhere in the CBRM government would be vetting the information that is being given out regarding our city.

Instead, it seems that anything can be stated and there is no reason for the passengers to doubt what they read. How could they know that the facts are otherwise?

Perhaps it’s time for someone in the municipal government or the Sydney Port Authority to take a good look at the information being spread about Sydney and provide some true facts so that passengers are well informed when they get off the ship on their stopover here.

After all, isn’t the cruise ship business one of Sydney’s most valuable tourism opportunities? Rose Courage Sydney