The following letter appeared today, and Father Maroun has contacted Mark Carney already. There is too much equalization coming to Nova Scotia for the excessive taxation that is facing the residents of the CBRM. We will be watching closely to see if the current equalization program is extended or not. It is up for review in 2029 and if extended without review, you can blame your local MPs and their lack of advocacy on behalf of the overtaxed residents of the CBRM. We hope to hear from Ottawa soon and until then, it is up to us, the residents, to hold the provincial government accountable for their expenditure of the $3.465 billion they receive each year to help us with the poor fiscal capacity issue we face and have faced for 30 years. Here is the letter to Mike Kelloway: Dear MP, Mike Kelloway: I recently drove to Halifax, and I was floored at the infrastructure and investment being made on the highway 104 twinning project. Then I drove back across the causeway heading home and once you cross that bridge as you enter Cape Breton, the roads are deplorable. Justin Trudeau extended the current equalization program twice while he was Prime Minister without review. Why? Did you or Mr. Battiste voice your concern on behalf of the constituents of Cape Breton? Why has no major industry come back to Cape Breton since the closing of the mines and steel plant? Why are there no Coast Guard vessels here when we have the only training facility in Canada to train new cadets in the Coast Guard? Why are young people who build new modest homes here paying thousands of dollars more in property taxes than they would in Halifax? Why has the federal government not invested in the future of Cape Breton Island with sustainable industry for the next generation? To me Mr. Kelloway, I feel that the federal government has been helping to manage our decline since the closure of the mines and plant. How can billions come to Nova Scotia yearly and we are in the same situation decade after decade when equalization has an intended purpose to “create opportunity” and “reduce disparity” The party system seems broken to me and has been for a long time. The parties seem more interested in their values and pandering to big business and the wealthy, rather than looking after the common citizens. I have already written to Prime Minister Carney and explained the importance of hearing the facts about equalization in Nova Scotia and how Cape Breton is used to generate the payment and how keeping our fiscal capacity poor for the past 30 years, has used Cape Breton to generate funding that we never receive. I hope you will do the right thing Mr. Kelloway and provide myself and my associates with a meeting in Ottawa to discuss equalization fairness, democracy, and our right to live like the rest of Canada without excessive taxation. If Prime Minister Carney extends the equalization program without review this time, I guess we will have our answer. I will be watching sir. Regards, Rev. Dr. Albert Maroun