Shelburne MLA wants Georges Bank on front burner

By Kathy Johnson

THE COAST GUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

Shelburne County MLA Sterling Belliveau is making sure the Georges Bank moratorium remains on the front burner.

Belliveau took advantage of question period on the opening day of the provincial legislature last Thursday to ask Energy Minster Richard Hurlburt why he is willing to ignore the opinions and advice of most of the major fisheries players in South West Nova, and continue a process that’s designed to lift the Georges Bank moratorium.

“The Department met with the Seafood Producers Association of Nova Scotia and other fishing industry groups in July,” said Belliveau. “Their reaction to the Georges Bank issue was clear – they rebuilt the Norigs Coalition.”

Presently the Department of Energy is working with DFO to complete a study on the impacts of offshore oil and gas exploration on Georges Bank, with a completion date slated for December 31, 2009.

This science report is going to have a huge influence on whether Nova Scotia agrees to review the moratorium on seismic testing and drilling on Georges Bank, said Belliveau, noting the department is paying DFO $150,000 for the report.

“That won’t allow DFO to do an adequate job on such a complex and important task,” said Belliveau, wondering if that’s all the money “the Conservative government could spare to assess Georges Bank?”

Belliveau also questioned the timing of the report being finalized and the length of time the minister has to respond.

“The Minister has to decide by January 5, 2010 whether they will start a public review of the oil and gas moratorium,” says Belliveau. “How does the Minister expect to be able to review, digest and make a recommendation on such an important report in less than a week?”

According to Hurlbert however, the provincial and federal ministers of energy will receive all the data by January of 2010, and have “until June of the following year to make a decision on the go-ahead plan.”