A Mi’kmaq land claim has stalled the process of transferring control of the Sydney harbour bed to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. CBRM officials say the divestiture of the harbour from Ottawa is key to port development. However, Membertou Chief Terry Paul says his community is looking for meaningful and significant involvement in the development effort. Mayor Cecil Clarke says he met with Paul just last week and adds the issue is separate from the Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative process over Treaty negotiations. Lawyer Jim Gogan who was hired by the CBRM as a negotiator says that the process to transfer the harbour to the municipality will likely be stalled until the matter is resolved.
