Donkin, Nova Scotia

The smaller communities of Port Caledonia and Schooner Pond are directly adjacent to the village proper, connected by a single strip of road called the Donkin Highway.

Donkin sits on the northeasternmost tip of Cape Breton, along the Marconi Trail which stretches from Glace Bay to Louisbourg.

It is not uncommon to spot whales, seals and other marine life from the shore as well as passing cargo ships and fishing boats.

During the early 1980s, there was a push to develop the coal deposits extending out under the Atlantic Ocean from large adits initiated on the coast.

[2] In December 2010, Stephen Harper announced that the dredging of Sydney harbour would help allow Panamax sized vessels to enter the new deepwater port.

[2] Kameron Coal Management Limited, a subsidiary of Cline Group, began operations in March 2017 with plans to mine a half-million tonnes in the first year, but initial testing found the conditions and geological formations to be more complex than anticipated.

While there is one gas station/convenience store in Port Caledonia located next to the public beach, residents travel to Glace Bay for most of their shopping and recreation.

When the mines closed in Cape Breton, many moved away to find employment, while others re-trained and found work locally in construction, the lobster fishery and the call centre industry.

Currently, the community is experiencing significant out-migration of young families, with lack of jobs being a major contributing factor.

Approximately 1,600 participants enjoy events like baseball, horseshoe and dart tournaments, the William Hunter Sr. Road Race, variety and band concerts, sales, meals, dances, antique car shows, and a parade.

Each year, the Labatt Vince Ryan Hockey Tournament draws a huge number of players and fans to raise funds for youth.