Hello everyone and welcome to our new subscribers.
We’ve been busy the last while reorganising the website. You will find a few of the pages are still “under construction”. We hope to have everything up and running shortly, but we apologise for the inconvenience and radio silence.
As many of you already know, a rally is being held in Halifax on Saturday November 15th to call Tim Houston’s government to account for the decisions being made without consultation with the Mi’kmaw Nation and ignoring the concerns of communities throughout the province. The rally is being organised by Mi’kmaq Land and Water Protectors, environmental organisations and community groups. In order to ensure the rally’s success, we will need a very large, consolidated voice, so please try and attend and bring lots of friends.
Just to recap some of the issues (this is by no means a complete list):
- This government completely ignores their legal and constitutional responsibility to consult with the Mi’kmaw Nation including the issues listed below;
- Refused to proclaim the Coastal Protection Act into law, even though it was an election promise;
- Lifted the ban on fracking, even though Tim Houston is on record stating that wouldn’t happen while he is premier;
- Lifted the 45-year ban on uranium mining without consulting the communities involved and ignoring scientific evidence that shows risks to health and environment are too great;
- Opened West Mabou Beach Provincial Park to the development of a private, exclusive golf course, even though Tory Rushton and Tim Houston promised that would never happen again. West Mabou Beach Provincial Park is a public, protected asset.
- This government is allowing high production forestry (clearcutting and development of softwood plantation) in proposed wilderness areas, specifically Ingram River and Goldsmith Lake. These areas have been extensively surveyed by citizen scientists and subject-matter experts who have found and reported old growth forests, species at risk and significant and even rare ecosystems. Less than 1% of Nova Scotia’s land is old growth forest. These areas are too precious to clearcut.
- Continues to restrict media access to politicians and government staff;
- This government has criminalised the protection of land and water with a 6-month jail term and $50,000 fine. Blocking access to a logging road, even on crown land was never really legal but discussion, an injunction and removal were the usual methods of enforcement.
Please spread the word with your networks, families and friends. It’s time to get Loud!
See you there!
The Dirt Gang
Following is the email we received from the Save Our Old Forests Association (SOOF):
Hi Everyone,
Most of you have likely heard about the upcoming We Are All Treaty People rally taking place on November 15 in Halifax. For those that haven’t I’m attaching a poster that has been shared on Facebook by the organising committee with more information. There is also a Facebook event that has been created by Land Defender Michelle Paul that is also being shared. More information can also be found here: https://saveouroldforests.ca/event/we-are-all-treaty-people-rally/
Save Our Old Forests (SOOF) is organising a bus for people living in Annapolis County to attend the rally. We have arranged for four pickup locations: Bear River First Nation, Annapolis Royal, Bridgetown and Middleton. Exact locations and pickup times will be confirmed. If you have any members that live in Annapolis County they are welcome to reserve a seat on the SOOF Bus: https://forms.gle/imxmo6RKAqDGv4oa9
SOOF is also reaching out to nonprofits, community groups, and grassroots groups to ask for help spreading the word. Please share the poster in your newsletter or on your Facebook page/groups. Share the Facebook Event link.
If your organization is able to officially support the rally and can share their logo to be used on social media and signage that would be great. I also understand that some organisations may not be able to get involved as it might be too political and potentially impact funding sources.
Please reply to me directly to let me know if your organisation can help spread the word (newsletter, Facebook). And if you can, please send me your logo as an official supporter and I will pass it along to the rally organisers.
Thank you,
Laura Bright
Secretary & Treasurer (SOOF)
