(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Saanich – Gulf Islands), today joined the community of Shawnigan Lake to oppose the contamination of the community’s watershed through a proposed toxic soil dumpsite.
“Shortly after the B.C Government upheld the decision to dump five million tonnes of contaminated soil into the Shawnigan watershed, I promised to do what I could to help, which is why I joined the community of Shawnigan Lake today to oppose this toxic waste site,” said Ms. May. “This is a reckless decision that will risk the health of the entire watershed and all communities which rely on it. There can be no compromise – The B.C. Government must find a new location for this toxic waste dump, period!”
The B.C. provincial government granted South Island Aggregates Ltd. a 50 year permit for a proposed contaminated soil site in 2013. The Shawnigan Resident’s Association appealed the decision later that year. The Environmental Appeal Board upheld the permit in March 2015.
“The residents of Shawnigan Lake have demonstrated tremendous initiative by organizing advocates and political representatives across party lines to stand up for the protection of this important watershed,” said Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, Green Party candidate (Cowichan – Langford – Langford).“Globally, we are experiencing drought and floods, the oceans are acidifying, crops are dying; however, at the local level where there is clean water in Shawnigan Lake, the residents are having to fight to protect their drinking water and watershed from toxic dumping. Water is our most precious resource and must be treated as such by all.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca