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N.S. government asked municipalities to support more resource development. It hasn't happened
Most Nova Scotia municipalities have not followed the province's request to publicly support more resource development in the province, with some calling the appeal "vague" and "inappropriate."
Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr wrote to all 49 municipalities on Feb. 11, asking them to signal their support for "greater resource development within our province" by letter or press release.
Warden Penny Smith of the District of Shelburne attended a meeting of mayors, wardens and CAOs in late February to talk about issues like the resource letter.
"The feel around the table was, 'What are you thinking?' Smith said during a Feb. 26 council session.
"I think a lot felt it was disrespectful and inappropriate to ask for carte blanche for resource extraction."
Coun. Keith Rhyno of East Hants said he had heard from residents worried about the return of fracking. People in Noel and Kennetcook have long complained of test wells in those areas, and fracking wastewater in holding ponds left behind.
Rhyno said he might be able to consider new resource or fracking projects if the province can provide evidence they won't harm groundwater, drinking wells, or contaminate the land.
"But they haven't done that.… They just want to open 'er up. And without those assurances, how can anybody support this letter?" Rhyno said on Feb. 26.
"It doesn't say how, when, where, what are the plans, what are the details. We don't know any of that stuff, so it is vague," said Colchester Mayor Christine Blair on Feb. 27. |Read more|