Author: nlened

Environmental groups launch court challenge over Lower Churchill Generation Project
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Environmental groups launch court challenge over Lower Churchill Generation Project

VANCOUVER — The Government of Canada’s endorsement of the Lower Churchill Generation Project is unlawful and will be challenged in the Federal Court, environmental groups said today.

Grand Riverkeeper Labrador Inc. and Sierra Club Canada — represented by Ecojustice lawyers —filed a judicial review application with the Federal Court in December, on grounds that the joint review panel’s environmental assessment was unlawful, incomplete and must go back to the panel before the mega-dam project is allowed to proceed.

The groups seek a court order that would block the federal government from issuing any permits or financial guarantees to Nalcor Energy, the project’s proponent, until the assessment is completed in full. They will also ask the Court to overturn the federal government’s endorsement.

“By deferring the assessment of need and alternatives to others, the panel dodged making any final recommendation to approve or reject the project,” said Lara Tessaro, Ecojustice staff lawyer.

“We want the panel to finish the job it was tasked to do, and until that happens, we believe thefederal government does not have the legal right to support the project with permits or funding,” she added. “In our view, the federal government broke the law when it responded to the panel’s incomplete assessment.”

The Lower Churchill Project would see the construction of two large hydroelectric dams on the Grand River (also known as the Churchill River) in Labrador, including a dam at Muskrat Falls. It would lead to significant and long-lasting damage to Grand River and its watershed, and to the wildlife it supports such as the threatened Red Wine caribou herd.

The panel’s assessment acknowledged that the project would have adverse environmental impacts, but failed to reach a final conclusion on key issues like project alternatives and cumulative effects.

“What the panel did, it generally did well, but it didn’t reach conclusions or findings on all the factors that it was obligated to take into account,” said Bruno Marcocchio, Sierra Club Canada spokesperson. “Alternatives, like wind power or conservation demand management, were not examined and the panel failed to obtain the information needed to assess such alternatives.”

“The panel also failed to assess the cumulative environmental effects — like impacts on the George River caribou herd — that the Lower Churchill Generation Project would have in combination with other projects,” said Roberta Benefiel, Grand Riverkeeper Labrador spokesperson, citing the transmission lines Nalcor seeks to build in conjunction with the Lower Churchill project as an example.

 

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For more information, please contact:

LaraTessaro, staff lawyer | Ecojustice
604.685.5618 x228

Bruno Marcocchio | Sierra Club Canada
902.567.1132 or 902.979.0000

Roberta Frampton Benefiel | Grand Riverkeeper, Labrador Inc.
709.897.4241

Coalition Criticizes Minister Oliver’s ‘Waffling’ on Independent Safety Regulators for Canada’s Offshore
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Coalition Criticizes Minister Oliver’s ‘Waffling’ on Independent Safety Regulators for Canada’s Offshore

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/IceSpecialist

A Coalition of fishermen, First Nations, environmentalists and coastal landowners are rallying against Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver’s recent ‘waffling’ on the need for a separate, independent safety regulator for NL’s offshore petroleum industry. The coalition is responding to recent comments made in NL by Federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver who stated he is questioning whether an independent safety regulator is needed.

“Retired Judge Robert Wells’s inquiry into the deaths of 17 offshore workers in the 2009 Cougar helicopter crash recommended a separate, independent safety regulator for NL’s offshore industry.  What was the point of this Inquiry if the federal government is going to ignore Justice Wells’ vital recommendations?” says Gretchen Fitzgerald, executive director of Sierra Club – Atlantic Chapter.

“It is disgraceful that Minister Oliver is hedging on this vital issue of safety, not only for Canadian offshore workers, but also for the safety of our east coast fishery, renewable marine resources and the ecosystems that support them,” says Dr. Irene Novaczek of UPEI. “After the BP disaster, the U.S. government set up a separate safety regulator for American offshore waters. Why is Canada stalling on this vital safety measure?” she says.

“Twenty years after the Exxon Valdez disaster, there is still no herring fishery in Prince William Sound, where the spill occured,” says Greg Egilsson, an inshore fishermen and president of the Gulf NS Herring Federation.  “Fishermen are concerned a similar fate could await our east coast fishing industry, if the federal government persists in refusing to exercise its responsibility to protect the safety of east coast offshore workers, fishermen and marine ecosystems,” says Egilsson.

“A pattern of unfairness and disrespect for the importance of Canada’s east coast fishery and the tens of thousands of renewable jobs it creates, prevails in our federal government as it persistently favours transnational oil companies,” says Mary Gorman of Save Our Seas and Shores, a coalition set up to prevent offshore oil development in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence, where over 2,000 marine species spawn, nurse and migrate year around.

The Coalition points to the federal government’s refusal to launch a Federal Review Panel under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to examine whether exploration should proceed in Canada’s Gulf as evidence of a bias for offshore oil companies. A Senate report commissioned after the BP spill has also recommended examining the “possible” conflict of interest position for offshore boards when it comes to regulating safety and the environment.

The Coalition stands united with Justice Wells’ recommendation for a separate, independent safety regulator for NL’s offshore and states the NS government should also be implementing a separate safety regulator for its offshore development. Additionally, federal power environment and fishery protection should be restored to federal government and not handed off to offshore boards.

For further information, contact:

Gretchen Fitzgerald, Sierra Club Canada – Atlantic Canada Chapter

902-444-3113
902-719-4784 (cell)
 
Mary Gorman, Save Our Seas and Shores Coalition
902-926-2128
 
Greg Egilsson, Gulf-NS Herring Federation
902-485-1729
 
Dr. Irene Novaczek, University of PEI
902-566-0386
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Consultation on New Forest Management Strategy

“Newfoundland and Labrador is blessed with forest resources which have been a source of employment and raw materials throughout our history,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. “The development of a Provincial Sustainable Forest Management Strategy will ensure the development of the province’s valuable forest resources is undertaken with Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as the primary beneficiaries.”

The strategy is required under the Forestry Act and is renewed every 10 years. Consultation sessions will be held in several communities over the next month to give industry, interested groups and organizations, and the public the opportunity to discuss the sustainable management of Newfoundland and Labrador’s forest resource.

Consultation sessions have been scheduled as follows:

Date Location Venue Time
Tuesday, February 28 Grand Falls-Windsor Mount Peyton Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 1 Gander Albatross Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 Plum Point Plum Point Motel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 13 St. John’s Holiday Inn 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 20 Corner Brook Glynmill Inn 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 22 Happy Valley-Goose Bay Hotel North 2 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Residents interested in participating in a consultation session must pre-register a minimum of 48 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting time by calling 709-637-2283 or e-mailing wkelly@gov.nl.ca.

Presenters must provide a copy of the presentation which will be posted on the department’s website. Written submissions can be made via mail to:

Wayne Kelly, Director, Centre for Forest Science and Innovation
Department of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 2006
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 6J8
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Earth Day Canada: now accepting applications from eco-youth in Newfoundland!

We’re looking for dynamic and responsible youth leaders from across Newfoundland and Labrador to join our new national EcoMentors Youth Activator Network!

Earth Day Canada’s EcoMentors program provides youth (ages 15 to 24) across Canada with training so that they can encourage other youth and younger kids to adopt positive environmental activities while building leadership and employability skills.

The EcoMentors Youth Activator Network is made up of youth representatives (from across the country starting in the east) who will deliver regional training to new EcoMentors and act as advisors to the program.

Earth Day Canada will be accepting applications from youth (18 to 24 years) to represent Labrador, Nova Central, Western and Eastern Newfoundland in the Youth Activator Network. Successful applicants will receive an honorarium for their work. Visitwww.earthday.ca for application details.

 

A Youth Activator

  • Is 18 to 25 years old
  • Receives free Youth Activator Training*
  • Inspires and trains other youth to take action as EcoMentors
  • Gains valuable leadership skills and employment experience
  • Networks with other young environmental leaders across the country
  • Receives a $2000 honorarium and paid expenses

*Youth Activator Training Sessions

Attendance at one of the two training sessions for new Youth Activators on March 1 or 3, 2012 in St. John’s and Corner Brook respectively is mandatory for all successful applicants.

For full position and application details visit ecomentors.ca/youth_activator_network.php
For more information, contact ecomentors@earthday.ca or 1-888-283-2784 ext. 101.

Youth! Environment! Leadership!

Josh Stevenson
EcoMentors Program Manager
Earth Day Canada
111 Peter St., Suite 503
Toronto, ON M5V 2H1
416.599.1991 x 103
ecomentors@earthday.ca

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Kruger says more job cuts can be expected in coming weeks

Kruger says more job cuts can be expected in coming weeks
An official statement from Corner Brook Pulp and Paper says there were actually 46 jobs affected Wednesday and more reductions will happen. An official news release from Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has put the number of jobs affected following meetings with unions Wednesday at 46, three …
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Report says science, not minister should rule Canada’s fisheries

Report says science, not minister should rule Canada’s fisheries
VANCOUVER — Fisheries management in Canada places too much discretion in the hands of the federal minister, conferring “czar-like” powers that have meant the country has lagged far behind others in protecting its oceans, says a study by an expert panel of some of Canada’s most distinguished …
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