The Federal and Newfoundland and Labrador governments have until the end of day tomorrow to veto the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB)’s approval of Corridor’s exploration licence for the Old Harry site in the Gulf of St. Lawrence until 2021.
Seven chapters from the Atlantic region (South Shore, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, PEI, St. John’s and Kent County) joined the Council of Canadians nationally along with many others to sign on to a letter sent this morning, calling on the Federal government to finally stand up and protect the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The letter explains, in part, “On December 15th, 2016, in spite of receiving thousands of letters of concern from Canadians, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) announced its decision to grant a new licence to Corridor Resources in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
“The federal and provincial governments had thirty days, up until January 14th, to veto the C-NLOPB’s wrong-headed decision. We are now in the final week.
“Corridor Resources has already gotten three free extensions on its licence in the Gulf. The Atlantic Accord Act only allows a company to hold onto a licence for up to nine years. Issuing a new licence to Corridor Resources is contrary to Canada’s obligation to respect the rights of Indigenous peoples, to the intent of the Accords Act, and to Canada’s commitment to expand protection of Canada’s ocean spaces.”
They also published an opinion editorial in the Guardian (PEI) today on the issue, written by Gretchen Fitzgerald, the Sierra Club Canada Foundation’s National Program Director. Gretchen writes, “It’s past time for the federal and provincial ministers to listen to these concerns and use the powers they hold under the constitution, Oceans Act, Species At Risk Act, and – yes – even the Accord Act to protect the waters of the Gulf.
“The decision to approve this license after a company has sat on a license for nine years is questionable under the Accord Act, and I predict the board’s decision will receive scrutiny in court.
“But wouldn’t it be nice if our leaders relieved citizens of the duty to protect our coastlines on our own, and did what I believe is fundamentally their job?”
Click here to read more about the Council of Canadians’ work to protect the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Click here to join us!
