CBCEDA and SHRDA merger expected to be finalized by spring
SYDNEY — The process of merging the island’s two regional development agencies is expected to be finalized by April.
Eileen Lannon-Oldford, CEO of the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority, and Blaine Gillis, CEO of the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency, presented an update on the transition process to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s committee of the whole Wednesday.
The federal government announced earlier this year that it would cut operational funding to all of Atlantic Canada’s regional development agencies starting next year. That means a loss of $185,000 to CBCEDA and $166,000 to SHRDA.
The regional development agencies also receive funding from the province and member municipalities, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will continue to provide projectbased funding through Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. ACOA directed the agencies to come up with plans to either wind down operations or outline how they would continue.
“We do hope to have a draft of the transitional plan that will come back to all municipalities, the province and the federal representation for consideration,” Lannon-Oldford said, adding it’s hoped the draft will be completed by the end of the month.
Lannon-Oldford and Gillis told the committee the united regional development agency would serve the entire island, would maintain its existing offices, and maintain as many full-time and contract positions as possible. The transitional board is to have four members from each regional development agency’s board of directors; a representative from Victoria County, which is not currently a member of either agency but has approved in principle coming onside; and a representative from the province and from Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.
The composition of the longterm board is to be determined during the transition.
“We do very similar things ... a few things are different that we have certain expertise that we can bring to the whole island,” Gillis said.
The committee agreed in principle to continue to move ahead with the process.
“I think this could be a winwin for us if we come together at the end of the day, where we can share ideas and discussions across the island, and I think that can only be positive,” Dist. 10 Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger said.
The province has initiated a panel review of the regional development authority model that is expected to be released shortly.
“It’s important that they realize the impact that the organizations have had on our island over the years,” Bruckschwaiger said.
Gillis said all municipalities are agree in principle, although Port Hawkesbury has raised some concerns.
“Port Hawkesbury did not say no to it, did not say yes to it. They wanted a little time to reflect because of the relationship they had with the Strait area,” Gillis said, adding his regional development agency had some discussions with regional development agencies in Anti-gonish and Guysborough counties, which were focused on remaining impact, and it was determined merging with CBCEDA was the best option.
He said they will go back to Port Hawkesbury, which has four newly elected councillors, with its sales pitch.