Benefits and concerns are rising over a proposed golf course at  that’s back on the table.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Timothy Halman reversed the government’s prior position on the land that is currently designated and protected by law, by not shutting down the possible private development.

The Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources tells our newsroom, “We are open to hearing new ideas from Nova Scotia companies. We support economic development. We support job creators.”

“If a company wants to explore new opportunities that could lead to good jobs and other investments in our communities, we think that’s great and we will hear them out,” they added.

According to the Leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party (NSNDP), Claudia Chender, “Proposals like this make it pretty clear that the more money corporations have—the more the Houston government listens.”

“Instead of explaining how they’re going to meet the target for protected land, this government is sending a clear signal that not even protected provincial parks are off limits for corporate interests, once again proving that communities and coastlines are not a priority. People are worried about that approach and it’s easy to understand why,” said Chender.

“We’re supposed to be protecting more land, creating jobs, and supporting communities, not sacrificing protected areas.”

Legally, the provincial government is legislated to protect 15 per cent of Nova Scotian’s land and water masses by the end of March 2026.

The federal government gave the province $25 million as part of The Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement which helps with obligatory protection and conservation.

It appears some of this funding may be left on the table and Halman couldn’t provide information on if the Nova Scotia government would meet the target plans for the remaining $12.5 million of the federal given money that must be spent by March.

Local resident and community advocate Kate Beaton says, “If this government can destroy a protected provincial park by handing it over to billionaire golf developers who are too cheap to buy private land, then anywhere in Nova Scotia is up for grabs. The only special interest groups here are corporate ones who are in it for themselves.”

Kyle MacQuarrie, MLA for Inverness stated on his Facebook page, “I’d like to thank everyone that has reached out to my office to express their views about the renewed prospect of a golf course in West Mabou.”

“No decisions have been made, and no action related to this proposed project has been taken in the park,” he adds.

MacQuarrie welcomes the public’s valuable feedback.