The PC Government through the passing of Bill 6 has removed the existing ban on uranium mining and lifted the fracking moratorium in Nova Scotia. The majority of Nova Scotians are against this: the Public Bills Committee received 99 submissions against Bill 6 and only 1 for it from the Mining Association of Nova Scotia.

So what can you do?

1. Share these graphics to your socials. Encourage your friends and family to visit this site, print and post posters in their community and call or visit their MLAs

2. Print the poster for your MLA (find it here) and post it everywhere you can in your electoral district- at the community poster boards at your local library, gas station, post office, grocery store and encourage local businesses to do the same. Encourage your friends and family across the province to as well!

3. Call or visit your MLA. Share your concerns about uranium mining, fracking and the dismantling of democracy in Nova Scotia.

Here are some questions or points you could include in your letters or conversations:

• Nova Scotia is a small province with the second highest population density in Canada. Would you be comfortable with uranium mining and fracking in or near your community or home? Where in NS would this be acceptable?

• Why didn’t the PC Government “engage or consult with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia prior to introducing significant changes in the mining sector that will directly impact the Mi’kmaq’s section 35 rights”? (this question was included in a letter to Tim Houston from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs dated March 4, 2025).

• Our province has had record breaking floods and fires in the last few years. The Lancet has identified climate change as the greatest global health threat of the 21st century. Shouldn’t NS focus on green energy and meeting its climate change targets rather than industries that will further contribute to climate change impacts that significantly threaten this province?

• How is the PC Government on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? (Climate goals outlined in the Our Climate, Our Future: Nova Scotia’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth Plan and legislated by the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act in 2021).

• How will Nova Scotia’s freshwater be protected if uranium mining and fracking goes forward? “Nearly half of all Nova Scotians (440,000) depend on well water, especially in rural communities. Leftover tailings (radioactive sediment and/or toxic fluid) must be stored in tailings ponds or in underground caverns” and risk groundwater contamination that leads to serious health issues (EAC).

• I am concerned about the health of my family and community. CAPE NS (Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment) has shared in an open letter to Tim Houston that “Recent studies have found strong correlations between proximity to fracking sites and increased rates of preterm births, low birth weight, and congenital defects, higher incidences of childhood asthma and leukemia, increased hospitalizations for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and higher overall mortality rates and reduced life expectancy.” They also stated that uranium mining includes “health risks from radon gas, radioactive dust, and potential water contamination”.

• Is it fiscally responsible to have to pay to manage toxic radioactive waste with a half-life of 10,000+ years? What would be the environmental and health implications be if this toxic waste contaminates ground and well water? “Uranium mining and milling wastes will constitute an everlasting health hazard and will have to be monitored and managed in perpetuity at public expense” (CAPE NS).

• I do not support how Bill 6 was passed. Large changes in mandate need consultation from the public and the Mi’kmaw before proceeding. As the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs pointed out in their letter to the premier (March 4, 2025): “None of the announcements on fracking, uranium mineral exploration or lithium mining development were included in the Progressive Conservative party of Nova Scotia’s campaign platform during the past election. It is very concerning that our provincial government is proposing such dramatic changes in sectors for which they did not receive a mandate from the people of this province.”

• Why would NS consider uranium mining if precipitation and rainfall events exclude it from being able to be done safely, as determined by the US Supreme Court and scientists? The US Supreme Court has banned uranium mining in Virginia since 2019 because of Virginia’s high rainfall and intense storms. Nova Scotia has “higher precipitation than Virginia (1,300 mm a year as opposed to 1,000) and has had extreme rainfall events (notably 860 mm in July 2023) far exceeding those noted in Virginia”. Dr. Steven Emerman, a mining consultant and scientist, told the Halifax Examiner that the ban on uranium mining in Nova Scotia should stay in place, and that among many other things, the high precipitation in the province alone should preclude safe uranium exploration or mining. “I would support keeping that ban,” said Emerman. “I would not recommend uranium mining under any circumstances.” (from Halifax Examiner, March 13th, 2025).

• Why should I have faith in the NS Environmental Assessment (EA) process to protect the environment and human health when it approves virtually all projects submitted and doesn’t prevent industry from breaking laws and polluting the environment? The EAC highlight this in their fact sheet with the Touquoy open gold pit mine, which, for over 6 years, broke 23 provincial and 3 federal environmental protection laws and is currently in a law suit to avoid the costs of mine remediation to the site. From the EAC: “under the current assessment process, projects have been approved with little scrutiny, enabling corporations to break laws and threaten the safety of the environment. “In recent years we’ve witnessed big industrial projects go through the existing assessment process and get approved with little to no meaningful conditions,” says O’Handley. “Then, project owners break environmental laws with almost no consequences.” Recent changes in May 2025 to speed up the EA process could further exacerbate environmental consequences.

• The changes in May 2025 to the Environmental Assessment (EA) process did not incorporate public feedback during consultation in 2023 about changes the public would like to see to the EA process. How can the EA system be the avenue to provide feedback on uranium mining and fracking projects when the government disregards what is communicated to them? “The public wants better transparency in the EA process — specifically regarding the justification for approving projects — and accountability to the input provided in consultations. This is not reflected, or even mentioned, in the changes.” (EAC statement). It also does not include considerations for cumulative impacts, independent review, diversity, and the Mi’kmaw concept of Netukulimk, which are all important for new energy projects (EAC).

(Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment)

CAPE NS has called on the Houston government take the seven actions below. If these align with your values, you could state that you support these requests and ask your MLA to ensure these happen

1. Maintain and strengthen existing restrictions on fracking, uranium mining, and other high-risk resource extraction activities

2. Invest in community-supported clean renewable energy and green infrastructure as a path to sustainable economic growth

3. Require comprehensive health impact assessments for any proposed resource extraction projects

4. Prioritize protection of drinking water sources and ecologically sensitive areas

5. Respect UNDRIP; engage in meaningful consultation with Mi’kmaw communities and ensure there is free, prior, and informed consent for any activities impacting Mi’kmaw territory.

6. Engage in meaningful consultation with rural communities, and work collaboratively with them to find shared solutions.

7. Respect the UN Declaration on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment

Joan Baxter of the Halifax Examiner wrote an article entitled “Uranium exploration and mining in Nova Scotia – the radioactive issue that Houston’s government reactivated” that debunks some of the greenwashing and myths that are commonly stated by the Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) on March 13, 2025. It includes this paragraph:

“Debunking MANS myths: Thomas goes on to painstakingly debunk all the claims about the benefits of uranium mining that MANS touts in its report, one by one. Among other things, she noted:

• Uranium is not universally agreed to be a “critical mineral,” essential for the transition to a clean energy. It is not designated as a critical mineral in Nova Scotia, nor is it in the UK and France, although both depend heavily on nuclear power.

• MANS relies almost entirely on the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission to argue that uranium mining is “safe” for both humans and the environment, although the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, officially the regulator, has been shown to have an “institutional bias” in favour of the nuclear industry, something the Canadian Environmental Law Association has frequently condemned.

• MANS ignores numerous peer-reviewed studies showing clear health and environmental risks of uranium mining and contamination, including the 2011 book, ‘Uranium Mining in Virginia: Scientific, Technical, Environmental, Human Health and Safety, and Regulatory Aspects of Uranium Mining and Processing in Virginia.’”

For more information on fracking contact and follow NOFRAC.

NOFRAC, the Nova Scotia Fracking Resource and Action Coalition, is a group comprising almost 100 members, representing more than 15 environmental and community organizations.

NOFRAC website (historic) here

NOFRAC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NOFRAC

Ecology Action Centre: