Ottawa says no to Digby quarry

By Lawrence Powell

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Ottawa has joined Nova Scotia Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent in accepting the joint review panel conclusions on the environmental assessment of the proposed Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project in Digby County.

The Government of Canada will not be moving forward with any authorizations as the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be justified under the circumstances, said Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on December 18.

The Joint Review Panel was mandated by the federal and provincial ministers of the Environment in November 2004 to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project.

Green Party leader Elizabeth May congratulated the federal government for following the advice of the panel review.

“I am immensely pleased that the federal government has followed Nova Scotia’s lead by flat out rejecting this project” said May. “Over 200 oral and written submissions were considered by the panel and those who opposed this development can rest secure in the knowledge that the environment, the Right whales who inhabit the Bay of Fundy, and the local economy will be protected.”

The panel concluded in October that the project posed an unacceptable environmental impact and recommended the proponent, Bilcon, not be allowed to proceed with plans to build a quarry in Digby Neck.

“The Green Party calls on the provincial government to implement all of the panel’s recommendations, especially for coastal management,” said May.

Hearn said Ottawa agreed with the joint review panel’s October 2007 findings that the negative effects of this project outweigh the benefits and it is not in the public interest to proceed.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada were the lead federal departments and provided expert advice at the panel hearings.

“The decision to accept the panel’s findings is consistent with the Government of Canada’s commitment to protect the environment to ensure the quality of life for Canadians, now and in the future,” said Laurence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

The Joint Panel received 200-plus oral and written submissions from June 16 to 30, 2007 in Digby, and received more than 300 written comments on the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed project.