The Canadian government saw the construction of the Cabot Trail as a means to:
Improve the lives of the northern villagers
Increase lumber and fishing revenues
Open up Cape Breton to tourism

90% of the park is:
Wilderness
Plateau
300 year old deciduous forest

Cape Breton Highlands is one in only four national parks to protect:
The endangered eastern panther
The Gaspe shrew
The Atlantic salmon