Liberal leader calls for audit of development authority over Shelburne dealings

The new Nova Scotia Liberal Leader, Stephen McNeil, is calling on government to establish an independent audit on the activities surrounding the management of Shelburne Park and Shelburne Place by the Southwest Shore Development Authority (SWSDA).

The Southwest Shore Development Authority assumed management responsibilities for Shelburne Park (the former CFB Shelburne) and Shelburne Place (the former Shelburne Youth Centre), for the purpose of developing the properties. In recent weeks, municipal, business and community leaders as well as taxpayers, have become increasingly concerned with the lack of transparency in the management activities of these properties.

“The people of Shelburne County deserve full accountability on how government agencies are managing these properties,” said McNeil. “These two facilities are very important public assets and can be very important pieces in future economic development in Shelburne County.”

McNeil says an independent audit is necessary to ensure taxpayers know more about the management of these facilities.

“These are public assets being managed by a provincial government funded public regional development authority,” said McNeil. “Accountability and transparency must be at the core of all management activities.”

The Southwest Shore Development Authority is the economic and community development arm of the municipal units of Shelburne and Yarmouth Counties and the Municipality of Clare. It is governed by the Nova Scotia Regional Community Development Act.