What did the MacNeil Report say?

Who is Neil MacNeil?


"MacNeil is a former president and CEO of the Canada Ports Corp., former executive director of Transport Canada’s harbours and ports division, and former one-time chairman of the federally owned Ridley Terminals coal pier in Prince Rupert, B.C." - David Johnson, CBU

CBRM tax payers cost of report: $103,000

CBRM Councillor Ray Paruch claimed "Business Cape Breton" CEO called for "edits" and "deletions" before report was forwarded to council.
Source: http://bit.ly/1YkBiHW

Paruch says Council was "kept in the dark" for 7 months:

http://bit.ly/1YkBiHW

"MMC Ltd recommends that CBRM staff provide closer scrutiny and analysis for verification of accuracy before creating expectations in the CBRM community."

"However, these 'interested parties' never seem to come into being nor proceed past an expression of interest."

"CBRM staff should put more effort into assessing potential operators and not create expectations that could be intepreted as misleading the CBRM community."

Consortium should include "a financial partner capable of underwriting a development of over $500million."

"CBRM's investment in time and money to attract a potential container terminal operator should undergo a more rigorous analysis before expending scarce resources or creating expectations that do not materialize."

"Creating a competitive advantage over other North American ports by dredging Sydney Harbour has not been realized."

Challenges

• Distance from end markets
• Rail line requiring investment
• Occasional ice conditions in harbour
• Significant capital investment required
• Competition from already prepared North Atlantic ports

"CBRM is entitled to better information and analysis with regard to proponents promoting port development so that Council can make informed decisions"

"In rejecting MacNeil’s pessimistic viewpoint on the port's future, Clarke stated that these opinions "had no substantive proof.” - David Johnson, CBU (via Cape Breton Post)

See article by David Johnson, CBU with press quotes from MacNeil (report author):

http://bit.ly/1YkALFH

Read the full report from the CBRM website (PDF format):

http://bit.ly/1YkCzi0