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This riding encompasses central, northern, and eastern Cape Breton Island. The riding borders the Atlantic Ocean, the Cabot Strait, and the Gulf of the St. Lawrence.
The Marine Atlantic terminal is centrally located in North Sydney and offers ferry services to Newfoundland.
From the riding, it would take close to 16 hours to drive to Parliament Hill, or 1,652 km.
In this region, everything from moose and lynx to eagles and whales may be spotted.
The Cabot Trail is considered one of the best drives in the world, forming a loop around northern Cape Breton Island.
The east coast of Cape Breton Island has many inlets of the Atlantic Ocean and rocky shores. The coastal areas benefit from the Gulf Stream, which creates mild winters compared to the mainland.
Almost 40% of the people in Sydney—Victoria have Scottish heritage, which has an undeniable influence on Cape Breton’s culture.
About 2% of the riding’s population are immigrants.
Approximately 11% of the riding’s population identify as Aboriginal.
Average individual income is $35,731.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a hiker’s national treasure, enhanced with six beaches and camp grounds. Whale watching, sailing, and boating tours are widely available.
Cape Breton has a vibrant Scottish heritage and culture, as seen through the popularity of Cape Breton fiddling and traditional Cape Breton square dancing. As a tribute to the area's traditional Scottish music, the world's largest fiddle and bow was constructed on the Sydney waterfront.
Coal was first mined in Sydney in 1672. Nova Scotia’s first international trade of minerals was a shipment of coal sent to Boston in 1724.
Although the telephone wasn’t invented in Baddeck, Alexander Graham Bell did have a summer home here where he did much of his research. Today, his house is a National Historic Site and visitors can tour the museum and take part in hands-on activities.
Cape Breton is home to many famous musical artists including Celtic singing group The Barra MacNeils, renowned fiddler Ashley MacIssac, and singer-songwriter Rita MacNeil.
Tourism is the most important industry in Sydney—Victoria. Over 70,000 tourists disembark from their cruise ships every year, taking in the city and the port.
The Port of Sydney is strategically located on the shipping routes to Europe, Asia, South America, and the U.S., It also has a sheltered harbour able to accommodate large vessels. Three business parks have opened to provide support services to the port.
A $400-million cleanup of the Sydney Tar Ponds began in 2004. The project was largely successful, and the site is now a public park.
Coastal erosion continues to threaten the environment of Cape Breton Island. Some shorelines have lost up to 22 meters of land since the 1970s. Climate change worsens this problem as water levels continue to rise.
Sydney was founded in 1785 and named in honour of the British Home Secretary at the time, Thomas Townsend, 1st Viscount Sydney. Just a few years later, Australia would name one of its cities after him as well. The city’s original settlers included many Loyalists and soldiers fleeing the chaos of the American Revolution.
Indigenous communities in this riding include:
Union of Nova Scotia Indians-Advisory Services Wagmatcook Eskasoni Membertou
