Peter Puxley, a long-time friend of the South Shore Chapter of the Council of Canadians passed away on Thursday December 7th, 2023. He was a brilliant strategic thinker, clear writer, and was motivated to ensure the offshore oil and gas industry did not establish itself in Nova Scotia’s waters.
After moving to Nova Scotia in his retirement, he expressed his love and appreciation for the province by devoting his time, energy, and intellect to researching and writing about the value of the rural Nova Scotia economy to the rest of the province, and the role that the traditional industries of fisheries play in the well-being of Nova Scotia. In 2019, he and his wife Lois Sweet moved to Sherwood Park, Alberta to be closer to family, but he continued to stay connected and invested in his commitment to helping to build a vibrant Nova Scotia.
He was one of the co-founders of the Campaign to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia (CPONS), a project of the South Shore Chapter, and played a key role in helping to create a coordinated provincial voice for protecting the ocean from the risks of offshore exploration and development.
He was a rigorous researcher, believed in the importance of public discourse and understood the inner workings of government. His writing was clear and focused, and he wrote position papers, letters to the editor, op-eds, and could always be called upon to speak at public events.
Marion Moore, co-chair of the South Shore Chapter remembers Peter and his unique contributions. “I always valued the time I spent with him: so many coffee shop meetings, presentations to municipal councils, organizing public meetings, issuing press releases, meeting with elected officials, attending demonstrations, and lovely gatherings in his beautiful home.”
We take comfort in the fact that the federal and provincial governments announced the decision to veto an offshore exploration bid just days before Peter’s death, and he was able to see the impact of his contributions. Peter’s memory will continue to inspire us, as we honour his commitment to building a better world.
