Cape Breton Farmers' Market locked out in dispute with landlord
The Cape Breton Farmers' Market in Sydney, N.S., is normally filled with visitors on Saturdays, but on Wednesday, that was a different story. The downtown market's doors are closed and its future is uncertain.
"The long and short of it is we're locked out of our building," said farmers market manager Pauline Singer.
Singer said when she arrived Tuesday morning, the locks had been changed on the downstairs space they rent without any notice provided as to why.
On Wednesday, there was a sign on the door telling people to stay out.
"We owe back property taxes and we've made a conscious effort to try and meet with the landlord over the past several months, him and his solicitor, to try and reach an arrangement and get a final number on what we actually owe for the taxes," said Singer.
"They locked the doors because there's about $76,000 owing in back rent, taxes”, said Tony Mozvik, lawyer for the building’s landlords.
Mozvik said the farmers market is in violation of their lease, adding there's been efforts in the past to settle the money that is owed.
"Repeatedly over the last three years we've tried to get them to honour and acknowledge that and it hasn't been done," Mozvik said. “So in fact, the rent hasn't even been paid this month."
Unless the issue is resolved, the farmers market won't be held in its usual spot this weekend.
A pop-up market is scheduled Saturday at the Pan Cape Breton Food Hub building in Bras d'Or, N.S. – about 20 minutes away from the market's normal location.
'"Our main objective right now and our priority is to get access to the space so our vendors can access their products, because right now they are all locked up inside," Singer added.
Mozvik said the next step is to meet with the farmers market's new board chair.
"Then there will be a discussion about the relationship between the parties and how we go forward from here," he said.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'No sign of life' at crash site of helicopter carrying Iran's president
Rescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.