Good Sunday Morning!
This morning finds me in Sackville New Brunswick, home of Mount Allison University. Yesterday I had a great meeting with local concerned citizens in Moncton about the multiple threats to New Brunswick of Capital B BIG projects, and the night before I attended another in Fredericton. Citizens are waking up and organizing against the new US-owned LNG plant planned for the Tantramar Marsh area, a huge AI data Centre planned for Lorneville, the proposed Sisson tungsten and molybdenum mine, and more.
Just as I found in Nova Scotia on Monday at an anti-uranium mining effort in the Halifax area and on Tuesday at the AGM of a long-standing, well-respected international conservation organization, Friends of Nature, people are angry at their governments. Nova Scotia’s Premier overturned the moratorium on uranium mining in place since 1981. Nova Scotia had a long Royal Commission of Inquiry in the early 1980s that concluded with a 1985 firm recommendation from Judge Robert McCleave that uranium exploration and mining were incompatible with Nova Scotia’s existing industries and public health. Premier Tim Houston reversed that decades-old decision, one enshrined in law, without any public consultation. Similarly, he reversed the provincial fracking ban. As one local citizen pointed out “PROBLEM, we have a Houston!”
This afternoon, we head west by train at least as far as Montreal on VIA’s legendary route, “The Ocean.” Lucky for me, since John could not come with me, my dear friend Karen joined me so I had company on long drives. And the amazing Syd and Sandy Dumaresq, mainstays of Friends of Nature, lent me their plug-in hybrid! They take the train from Halifax today and as they disembark in Sackville, I give them the keys to their fully charged car and board for the overnight trip to Montreal. At least that is the plan!!
We received some great news on Friday. Likely in anticipation of the upcoming Toronto by-election in Beaches East York, the federal government has announced it will not support Premier Doug Ford’s plan to expand the Toronto Island airport to allow jet travel. It is a good sign the Carney Liberals can be moved by fear of losing a seat! The Greens in Beaches East York will have a nomination meeting soon. Two great candidates are vying for the chance to represent the Greens in the upcoming race.
In other encouraging news, the government has confirmed it received over 20,000 emails in response to the May 8th discussion papers that had threatened major rollbacks of environmental and Indigenous rights protections. Canadian Press reporter Nick Murray reached me on the road. His article was full of interesting points.
I prepared a submission for the Green Party and it is posted in full on my MP website: Response to the May 8 Discussion papers: “Getting Major Projects Built in Canada” and “Strengthening One Canadian Economy through trade and transportation”
Now we must be hyper-vigilant for the legislated changes based on the May 8th papers still poised to be legislation in September.
And in lockstep with Carney’s “move fast and break things” approach comes Premier Eby with this announcement: Delta’s Tilbury LNG expansion project gets green light from B.C. government More GHG emissions. More fracking. How do elected leaders in this country fail to notice we are on fire? And they call it progress when they pour fuel on the flames!
This week my focus shifts to the Vancouver area. We have a fundraising event for the campaign to elect Shelley Luce in North Vancouver-Capilano on Friday night. If you would like to come and meet Shelley, please email us at <[email protected]>. The writ drop is likely for August 25. That means advance polls will be over the Labour Day weekend. No time to waste in getting prepared! I will tour Pride at the Pier in North Vancouver with Shelley on August 1. The next day is the big Vancouver Pride parade. Join us! Vancouver Greens, BC Greens and GPC volunteers and leaders will all march together.
One last thing. This petition is getting a lot of attention. If you want to sign on, deadline is July 30.
e-7395
Petition to the House of Commons
Whereas:
- As Canada enters a building phase, Prime Minister Mark Carney asked for cost saving ideas;
- Since 1950, Stornoway, 541 Acacia Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, has been the official residence of Canada’s Leader of the Official Opposition;
- The main building has 19 main rooms, approximately 9,500 square feet (883 meters);
- Stornoway is served by a staff of three: a chef, chauffeur, and household administrator;
- The National Capital Commission manages this property, which is closed to the public;
- Canada is the only western democracy to fund a residence for the Official Opposition;
- This cost saving petition is deliberately silent on implementation.
We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to stop funding Stornoway as a private residence for the Leader of the Official Opposition.
https://www.ourcommons.ca/
Thanks. Take care and more in your in box next Sunday!
Love from New Brunswick! and Via Rail!
Elizabeth