CAPER PREMIERS HAVEN’T BEEN MUCH HELP FOR CAPE BRETON

For those who think having a Cape Bretoner as Nova Scotia’s premier would be a good thing for Cape Breton, shake your head. We have had Capers as premiers and it never did us one bit of good.

Ian Rankin was the latest Caper to make it to the top political position in this province. In recent years, there has also been Rodney MacDonald, Russell MacLennan and John Buchanan. Rodney turned out to be the worse premier Nova Scotia ever had. And Russell who? The quiet one.

Each and every one of the Capersturned-premiers were strong supporters of their chosen parties. For each, it was “whatever it takes for THE PARTY.” There never was any advantage to Cape Breton having Capers turned premiers.

Every political party in this province has had their chance to address the equalization payments due Cape Breton and rural Nova Scotia knowing the poverty, unemployment, extremely high property taxes and infrastructure that is falling apart in these areas. Not to mention the fact that our health care that is going down the tubes.

Based on what wannabe MLAs and MPs tell us when they are looking for our votes, they are well aware of Cape Breton’s dire situation. Or at least they should know by now. They should realize the importance of equalization payments from Ottawa to Halifax to Cape Breton Island.

Playing stupid on this very important file by ignoring it and their constituents who are affected is criminal. Shows what a puppet politician is made of. No backbone. Talking heads.

In my opinion, the provincial government has been keeping us poor for the benefit of Halifax for decades. All rural Nova Scotia is suffering because our elected governments prefer to be the wolf in sheep’s clothing, fudging the numbers for the benefit of Halifax.

Ask the wannabe MPs who are looking for your votes what are they going to do about the equalization payments that are supposed to be paid out to CBRM and other rural communities? Or will they be told as well by their bosses to stay away from that file? It’s a hot potato. Theft by government. Makes them all guilty.

Richard Collis

Big Bras d’Or