Green Party lauds landmark decision on Digby Neck quarry

NEW GLASGOW – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May today praised the joint federal-provincial panel reviewing the proposed quarry at Digby Neck, Nova Scotia, for its decision to reject the controversial project.

"The White Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project Joint Review Panel has today broken historic ground through the outright rejection of an unacceptable project," Ms. May said. "The Panel has reconfirmed the value of environmental assessment and in particular, the benefits of full public engagement thorough panel review."

On June 29 this year, Ms. May presented a brief to the panel on behalf of the Green Party of Canada in which she urged that the project be rejected. She added today, "To my knowledge this is the first time a review process has led to a recommendation for complete rejection of an unacceptable project. Both levels of government are urged to accept this key recommendation, as well as other critical recommendations for improved process for future projects found in the panel's report."

The Green Party brief to the panel noted in part, "This Environmental Impact Statement represents a new low in Canadian environmental assessment. Its length cannot obscure the fact that it is devoid of the minimum acceptable level of science required for a panel to assess impacts." The proponent, Bilcon, failed to address many key issues and glossed over large environmental risks.

"Without the rigour of a full panel review process, left to the vagaries of the provincial government, this project would likely have been rubber-stamped. This decision is a victory for democracy, as well as for the Right whales, local fishermen, tourism and the surrounding environment," said Ms. May.