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Sydney Santa Claus parade to end in Whitney Pier after route change

Cape Breton Regional Municipality officials have changed their minds and decided the Sydney Santa Claus parade will include Whitney Pier after all.

The city announced earlier this month the parade route had been shortened and would end in Open Hearth Park.

Residents in Whitney Pier were outraged and threatened to hold their own parade.

Coun. Jim MacLeod says he met with recreation officials to plead Whitney Pier's case.

"I can tell you that it was more than congenial. They presented their case and I presented the case on behalf of the people of Whitney Pier — that this is where the parade started and it should either start or end, and they agreed with that," he said.

"There was very little consultation and that they understood the process and I must give them full marks for what they've done."

MacLeod said the parade will revert back to its original route for this year and a committee will decide what should happen in the future.

"I asked that a parade committee be developed," he said.

"We will have proper consultation and next year the parade will — whatever the parade route will be — it will be according to the committee selected."

The Sydney Santa Claus parade will be held on Nov. 29, starting in downtown Sydney and ending at Holy Redeemer Church in Whitney Pier. It begins at 6 p.m.