The outgoing mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality may be in a conflict of interest after accepting a new job with the Nova Scotia government, says a political scientist.

Tom Urbaniak of Cape Breton University said Amanda McDougall owes the public an explanation about her new position, which she hinted at last month on social media.

"The CBRM mayor is earning a full-time salary, is earning a good salary, and there is a public expectation that the CBRM mayor not moonlight," said Urbaniak …