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HALIGONIANS OPPOSE ALTON GAS PROJECT, SUPPORT INDIGENOUS AND LOCAL RESISTANCE
Canvass Barrington Street Thursday morning, share information about project with passersby
In solidarity with people in Sipekne'katik, Millbrook, Alton, and Brentwood fighting against Alton Gas!
(Halifax) -- On Thursday morning signs reading ‘Stop Alton Gas’ and ‘Save the Shubenacadie River’ adorned the pedway crossing Duke Street near the bus terminal. Dozens of people handed out fliers below, sharing their concern about the Alton Gas natural gas storage project planned in Alton, Nova Scotia.
“This project is inherently unsustainable, as it puts the river and the people in the area at risk, and continues our dependance on fossil fuels,” says Emily Hong, another canvasser. “Last week Sipekne’katik and Millbrook First Nations, as well as several other local groups and residents of the area, appealed the Department of Environment’s decision to approve this project, and we’re here today to say that we support that appeal.”
In addition to the First Nations, the Striped Bass Association, the Shubenacadie Commercial Fisherman’s Association, the Ecology Action Centre, the Council of Canadians, and Brentwood residents Valerie and Colin Hawks appealed the minister’s approval on two grounds: insufficient scientific study and ecosystem risk evaluation, insufficient consultation with both the indigenous and non-indigenous people in the area.
“As a group of mostly non-indigenous people, we feel that this is a critical time to be supporting indigenous struggles for treaty rights,” says Hong. “We are all treaty people, and so we feel a responsibility to support Sipekne’katik’s and Millbrook’s fight to keep their Shubenacadie River healthy for current and future generations.”
The group of canvassers plans to continue supporting local opposition through creative actions in the remaining 53 days Minister of Environment Margaret Miller has to respond to the appeals.
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Contact:
Katie Rae (902) 478 9948
Emily Hong (902) 789 3952
Topics: Environment
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