Atlantic chapter representatives in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
A Council of Canadians media release states, “Atlantic Council of Canadians chapter delegates, at a meeting this past weekend in Tatamagouche, united in concern with the proposed drilling in the ‘Old Harry’ area of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The clear lack of public consultation and information void around the proposed drilling has created more questions than answers.”
The ‘Old Harry’ field is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which straddles Quebec’s boundary with Newfoundland. The Gulf of St. Lawrence is the world’s largest estuary and the outlet for the Great Lakes via the St. Lawrence River into the Atlantic Ocean.
Charlottetown chapter activist Leo Cheverie says, “Why is there no transparency? There should be serious concerns by all levels of government and the broader public with the potential impact on fisheries, tourism, and coastal communities.”
On March 28, Council of Canadians vice-chairperson Leo Broderick wrote the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board expressing our concern that Corridor Resources could be granted a permit to drill a deep water exploration well in the Laurentian Trench, north of the Magdalene Islands, and that only a screening level of environmental assessment is being planned.
On November 17, 2010, the Council of Canadians joined the call from Save Our Seas and Shores, Attention Fragile (Magdalen Islands), Sierra Club Atlantic, and the Ecology Action Centre, for a moratorium on oil and gas development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The media release is at http://canadians.org/media/energy/2011/06-Apr-11.html. Leo Broderick’s letter is highlighted at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=7205. Our joining of the call for a moratorium in this area is noted at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5369.
