Campaign to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia Presentation to EA Expert Panel, Halifax, 3 October 2016
Core Objectives ●
We need to shift the current focus in EA and regulatory agencies from simply addressing and mitigating the impacts of proposed projects to protecting the things we value—the health of marine life, sustainability of marine resources and energy, and the socio-economic livelihoods and well-being of Maritime communities on land and sea.
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A reformed EA process should focus on sustainability-enhancing outcomes and a net contribution to well-being that safeguards the natural resources and beauty that we—and “all our relations”— depend on and enjoy.
Acknowledgment: Save our Seas and Shores
Today’s focus: Three problems and solutions (1) The lack of transparency and flow of information;
(2) Inadequate public participation; and, (3) The diminished influence of federal climatechange commitments on provincial decision-making
(1) Lack of transparency and flow of information “Canadians must be able to trust that government will engage in appropriate regulatory oversight, including credible environmental assessments, and that it will respect the rights of those most affected, such as Indigenous communities. While governments grant permits for resource development, only communities can grant permission.” (Liberal Party of Canada. May 14, 2016) http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/environmental-assessments/
(2) Inadequate Public Participation
Deliberation as central to decision making Public participation has to be early and ongoing with legislative support to influence outcomes and to act on noncompliance.
(3) Multi-jurisdictional environmental assessments with federal leadership
Focus on sustainability-enhancing outcomes and a net contribution to well-being that safeguards the natural resources and beauty that we—and “all our relations”—depend on and enjoy. Shift from simply addressing and mitigating the impacts of proposed projects to protecting the things we value—the health of marine life, sustainability of marine resources and energy, and the socio-economic livelihoods and well-being of Maritime communities on land and sea.
Campaign to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia A project of the South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians
[email protected] www.facebook.com/ProtectOffshoreNS/
