Ottawa set to privatize famous Cape Breton golf course
Parks Canada is looking to privatize the federally owned Highlands Links golf course in Ingonish, N.S., which could put a number of grounds workers out of a job.
The department is looking for a private operator to run both the Keltic Lodge Resort and Spa and the golf course in Cape Breton.
About 22 workers have received letters indicating their jobs could be declared surplus if the course is privatized.
"We're not being shown any options here. The only option that's been put in front of us is privatization. There's been no attempt to sit down and discuss 'OK, what kind of business plan can we develop to maintain the operation within Parks Canada,'" said Eddie Kennedy, vice-president of the union representing the workers.
Kennedy met with Premier Darrell Dexter Tuesday to discuss the issue.
"They're still reviewing what that memorandum of understanding says. They don't own the property or the location, but they do have some rights as to how the process moves forward," Kennedy said Tuesday afternoon.
"We were able today to get the premier to say he would continue to work with us in trying to do what he can to ensure Parks Canada staff either continue as Parks Canada employees or have salary protection moving into a new contract," he said.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada was in closed door discussions today with Parks Canada, working on terms that could affect protections for existing salaries for the current workforce.
A request for proposals for a future operator is expected in mid-September.
"What we will do is respect our collective agreement, and in our collective agreement is for us to request a new operator to take on some or all or none of our staff," said Chip Bird, field unit superintendent for Parks Canada in Cape Breton.
"There are three options there, and that's in fact what we've been working with the union leadership all day today."
He says it will be up to any new operator to tell Parks Canada which way it'd like to proceed, and it was a little early to speculate what will happen with current staff.
"Once we have an idea from the proponent what they will do, then we'll be able to inform our staff what their status is," Bird said.
In the event staff are declared "surplus" or an operator decides not to take them, Bird says they will enter a priority system in which they'll be offered other jobs within Parks Canada either in Cape Breton or nationally.
Parks Canada has moved away from running golf courses in the last five years, Bird says. In fact, Highland Links is one of the last golf courses Ottawa manages.
Parks Canada says the course isn't making money.
During public service cuts announced in the spring, more than 1,689 Parks Canada workers received so-called affected notices nationwide.
"Highlands Links is rated number six in the country, and it's rated number six because of the dedication and the work the Parks Canada staff do in maintaining it to its current level," he said.
"We fear the fact that if it was to leave Parks Canada it would no longer be in that position where it would receive that kind of international ranking."
Golf course members say they're concerned about what privatization would mean for the quality of the course.
"[I'm] a little bit nervous," said Tom Fleming, "Because I'm accustomed to the people who run it now and they seem to keep it in good shape, so I don't know how it will be in private enterprise."
"They are breaking faith with the community and I don't think it's very good," said Earl Tubrett.
Lloyd Donavan says there's also concern about membership costs with a new operator. Right now, a yearly membership is $790.18 plus tax.
"They're hoping they can play golf at a reasonable price, we are hoping we can still maintain what we have there and everybody will go away and be happy. I don't think that's the case," said Donovan, who is president of the Highland Links Golf Society.
The department operates a number of federally protected parks, marine conservation areas and dozens of historic sites across the country.
