NS SHOULD KEEP “ENVIRONMENT” IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS AND SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY ACT

by Sierra Club Atlantic

Halifax, NS – Sierra Club Canada – Atlantic Canada Chapter is concerned that proposed amendments to the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA), which passed Second Reading in the legislature on Tuesday night, removes “environment” from key parts of the Act. Bill 136 will go before Law Amendments Committee shortly before returning to the House for Third Reading.

“At a time when we face so many massive environmental issues and environmental laws are being eroded at the federal level, it is important to keep environment top-of-mind when setting goals,” says Gretchen Fitzgerald, Director of the Atlantic Canada Chapter of Sierra Club, “I see no reason why environment could not have remained in the Act as a premise for setting goals while including mention of a green economy.”

The Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act makes a commitment that Nova Scotia will become one of the most environmentally and economically sustainable places in the world by 2020.

“We have all the elements we need here to achieve this ambitious goal of becoming world leaders, however, we need to stand fast to our commitment to protect the environment as an integrated part of our society: this is the current Act’s strength and I would hate to see it diminished.” states Fitzgerald.

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For more information, please contact Gretchen Fitzgerald at 902-444-3113 or gretchenf@sierraclub.ca

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