What: A press conference announcing that 12 municipal governments from Chester to Digby have called on the provincial and federal governments to launch a public inquiry into the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of offshore drilling and exploration in Nova Scotia’s waters.
Who: Speakers include Mahone Bay mayor David Devenne and Digby County deputy warden Linda Gregory. Organized by the Nova Scotia Offshore Alliance, a growing coalition of concerned organizations, communities, and individuals determined to change the industry-captive regulatory regime which currently governs our offshore oil and gas industry. To accomplish this, we demand an immediate moratorium on all exploration and production drilling off our coasts and a full public inquiry.
Where: 1313 Hollis Street, Halifax
When: Tuesday November 5th, 3PM – just prior to the start of the Federation of Nova Scotia Municipalities conference happening at the Westin Hotel
Why: Offshore drilling poses real risks to communities and their municipal governments, sustainable local industries, and the global climate. Municipal governments have a responsibility to represent the interests of their communities, but are not equipped with comprehensive information about the risks of offshore drilling. The decision-making structures surrounding offshore drilling in Nova Scotia are woefully inadequate and prioritize the desires of the oil industry over our other sustainable industries, our coastal communities, and the need for rapid decarbonization of the local and global economy. This decision making structure is putting municipalities at risk, and 12 municipalities to date have asked for a full public inquiry into offshore drilling in Nova Scotia.
Photo op: The speakers will be backdropped by a large map demonstrating the geographic spread of the call for an inquiry into offshore drilling.
Contact: Robin Tress, Council of Canadians, climate and social justice campaigner (902) 223 8526
