Media release
For Immediate Release
July 22 2014
Wheeler panel review mandate fails to engage citizens of Nova Scotia on issues on land and water use
Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association joins Nova Scotia citizens and community group in growing opposition to Wheeler panel review on Hydraulic Fracturing in Nova Scotia.
HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association is calling for the continued ban on fracking in Nova Scotia.
Also, noting the Wheeler commission mandate to look at the science of fracking in NS is premature and has failed to consult citizens on whether we want to use our limited land base and fresh water supplies for "any industrial use“ regardless of safety risk of fracturing.
The panel has completed seven community information sessions to date across Cape Breton, North Shore, and Colchester.
The Recent SCC decision of Tsilhquot'in recognizes the indigenous laws to protect the resources for generations to come. Participants of the Cumberland session felt that the seven-generation stewardship laws are laws and principles that all Canadians and citizens of Nova Scotia should aspire to.
The Province has failed in some rather important first steps of seeking public willingness to allow land use of pristine lands of the province for hydraulic fracturing.
The Provincial Government failed to seek input of citizens of Nova Scotia on whether there was public support to use lands and waters for any mass industrial use never mind industrial use with known and unknown risk such as hydraulic fracturing.
The mandate of the Wheeler panel, has instead skipped directly to a process of a discussion on science and risk.
NSNWA and its community-based allies, have concerns that water quantity and water quality issues have not been addressed with possible impact on use and availability.
Despite, Canada having a vast amount of wildness and water sources, the water quantity issues are local in nature and NS is not able to access watersheds in the north. In fact, the water quantity issues along Canada’s south are at risk of impacts from industry and urban pressure on shared watersheds with US and industry.
At the Colchester session:
“ Water is important to us and we are not willing to allow the government to take this risk…. farmers in the Stewiacke river valley would be devastated.”
Water should be a concern to all people of Nova Scotia and we want to send a clear message to the Government and industry that fracking is not welcome in our communities and territories.
Contact: Cheryl Maloney
Phone: (902)751-0077
Email: clmaloney@eastlink.ca
July 23rd 2014
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