New Freedom of Information Request Reveals Government Process to Facilitate Sale of Owls Head Provincial Park

Public servants have been working with the prospective buyer, Lighthouse Links Development Corporation, to facilitate the sale of Owls Head Provincial Park

Update: In November 2019, Lands and Forestry had to file more documents in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, in response to the applicant’s request for a judicial review. As a result, we learned that the price for this unique coastal ecosystem had been assessed at $306/acre.

This means that 704 acres would only cost the developer $216,000, far below the asking price of nearby parcels. The appraiser (Turner and Drake) had determined the price based on the land being undevelopable, yet Lighthouse Links does plan to develop it.


Included in the Freedom of Information (FOIPOP) package are the signed Letter of Offer for the sale of Owls Head Park Reserve, a Valuation Report, and emails between members of the government staff and Gilbert’s representatives.

(more…)
Gilbert Holdings

A Change of Heart?

The public is now faced with two seemingly conflicting statements from the Gilberts. Both statements concern the would-be developer’s intentions for the property widely known as Owls Head Provincial Park.

Please keep in mind that public objection is to the sale of public land that had been slated for protection. The Save Owls Head movement opposes the removal of the park’s inclusion in Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan in order to make Owls Head Park Reserve—our public land—available for sale to a private investor.

What the Gilberts intend for the property is relevant but does not affect the primary concerns of conservation and government transparency. The grassroots movement insists that Owls Head Park Reserve be returned to Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan and be legally protected.

(more…)

MICHAEL GORMAN: Owls Head land sale put on hold as potential buyers explore their options

Michael Gorman 
CBC News
February 19, 2020

Editor’s Note: At the time of this article (February 2020), the Gilberts have not withdrawn from the Letter of Offer. Furthermore, the provincial government has made no indication that they will be protecting this property. On the contrary, Iain Rankin has said, “At this juncture, [Owls Head] was removed from potential protected areas, and there’s no plans to change that.

Read Full Article>

Couple says the decision comes ‘after reflecting on feedback from Nova Scotians’

The couple that wanted to buy Crown land in the Little Harbour, N.S., area for a proposed golf course development has hit pause on the plan.

(more…)