The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM)
is the largest economic and population center on Cape Breton Island. It consists of the former city of Sydney, as well as the former towns of Glace Bay, New Waterford, North Sydney, Sydney Mines, and Louisbourg, along with the remainder of the former county of Cape Breton. Our community is home to approximately 106,000 people and 3,000 businesses. There are many ports, tourist attractions, and business opportunities in the area.
Cape Breton Island is strategically located on Canada’s east coast. It offers quick access to markets in central Canada, the United States and Europe. It is an island of opportunity in northeastern Nova Scotia where a new and exciting image is emerging – one that builds on a skilled and dedicated workforce, a fabulous quality of life, creativity and innovation.
History of the Region
The history of the region is extremely interesting. The Mi’kmaq were the first people to inhabit Cape Breton, along with much of the territory which is now eastern Canada. There are two Mi’kmaq First Nation communities within the CBRM. These communities are Membertou and Eskasoni and they are recognized nationally for being among the most progressive First Nation communities in all of Canada.
Because of Cape Breton’s strategic location, the Island was among the first areas of the North American continent to be explored and settled by Europeans. Indeed, during the 1700′s the leading European nations of the time all had a significant interest in this new territory. The Fortress of Louisbourg, which is among the most outstanding historical sites in all of North America, is testament to the important role of Cape Breton in the early days of the struggle for control of North America.
Over the course of many decades, immigrants from a wide variety of countries settled in Cape Breton. Foremost among the early immigrants were thousands of people from Scotland. As a consequence, many of the names in the region, of both people and places, reflect a very strong Celtic heritage.
Industrial History
During the early years of the twentieth century, the region grew to become a leading area of economic growth and industrial activity, largely based upon the development of the coal and steel industries. The importance of the region’s industrial output lead to the area being referred to as “Industrial Cape Breton.”
Beginning in the 1960s, these industries began to falter and the population of the region began to decline. Despite many years of significant economic development efforts, Cape Breton’s population declined throughout the remainder of the twentieth century and into the new epoch. As well, the region experienced relatively high rates of unemployment and significant levels of out-migration of young people.
The strength of both Cape Breton Island and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, however, has been the resilience of the people and their determination to improve economic and social conditions. The natural beauty of Cape Breton attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the CBRM every year.
Our Future Looks Bright
The coal reserves, which have been utilized for more than three hundred years, are now being supplemented with interest in offshore petroleum resources and the potential of renewable energy sources, particularly wind energy.
The region also boasts a significant information technology sector, which is comprised of leading international companies and small and medium-sized local businesses
In addition to a modern university (Cape Breton University) and a growing Community College (NSCC-Marconi Campus), the region also offers a full range of professional services, an airport, four industrial parks, numerous port facilities, efficient highway and rail infrastructure, and a highly skilled labour force.